Fights and altercations are quite rare in the NBA. However, they do happen sometimes when the heat of the battle gets in the way. Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons game took an ugly turn. LeBron James and Isiah Stewart were ejected after a bloody scene and a near-fight. Surprisingly, Pistons’ coach Dwane Casey gets his side neutral while reacting to the incident.
The Lakers got a win after a close-fought match with Detroit. Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook came up big as they combined for 56 points after LeBron went out of the game. For the Pistons. Jerami Grant put his best foot forward to get his team over the line, but it came to no avail. For LeBron and Stewart, they didn’t see much of the game and went off after their incident.
However, while talking about the incident, Casey defended LeBron and Stewart during the press conference.
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Casey defends LeBron James
After James caused Isiah to bleed from his face, one would think the coach would go for him as well. However, Casey seemed to take the exact opposite approach and understand the overall scenario. While he didn’t specify if he blames him, but Casey doesn’t feel that James is a dirty player for what happened. And, the case is similar for his own player, Isaiah Stewart as well.
Casey said Isaiah Stewart was upset for a reason. Said LeBron James isn't a dirty player.
Casey doesn't think he should face any trouble. "He was upset." Stewart got stitches after. Casey talked to Isaiah after, told him: "This doesn't define who you are."
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) November 22, 2021
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At the post-match conference, he said that Stewart was upset for a reason. Casey even told the reporters that he told Stewart, “This doesn’t define who you are.” Casey was even on the field trying to stop Stewart from going at LeBron James. But, it is surprising for him to take such a calm approach and keep his cool in such a situation.
While both players were ejected, Stewart definitely took the worst blow. He had to get stitches after being left in blood by a LeBron James elbow to the face. The overall scene was sure not pretty, but it is encouraging to see the coaches not giving in to the heat.
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With all that happened on the floor, do you think Dwane Casey did the right thing to defend LeBron James? Let us know your views in the comments below.