The main focus of the NBA world has been Game 3 of the first-round series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Game 2 garnered a lot of headlines for how it was officiated down the stretch as New York snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as the referees swallowed their whistles.
In Game 3, the referees and how they called the game were the topic of discussion again. This time, it was for how lenient they seemed to be when assessing what can be categorized as dirty plays by 76ers’ star Joel Embiid.
There were several incidents during Game 3 that Embiid was involved in with Knicks players. He hit Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson in the groin once apiece as he was flopping and flailing looking for calls.
But, the most egregious play he made came in the first quarter. He attempted to draw an offensive foul on Robinson and was knocked to the ground. OG Anunboy found Robinson for what would have been an easy dunk, but Embiid grabbed at his lower body and snatched his ankles.
After review, Embiid was assessed a Flagrant-1 foul on the play. But, given the recklessness and non-basketball nature of what he did, a Flagrant-2 and automatic ejection could have easily been assessed.
It has been a major topic of discussion around the NBA, as Robinson eventually left the game with an ankle injury and was seen in a walking boot leaving the arena. A common believe is that had anyone else done what Embiid did, they would have been sent to the showers early.
That is what Toronto Raptors point guard, and former Knicks Immanuel Quickley, believes would have happened. He made an appearance on Run It Back on FanDuel TV on Friday morning and shared his opinion on what unfolded.
“I ain’t trying to get fined…But if that was anybody else, I don’t know if he’d get the same call,” Quickley said when responding to Michelle Beadle’s question about whether Embiid’s play was dirty or not.
In the NBA Playoffs, things certainly get more physical. The games are played differently than in the regular season, but there is still a line that should not be crossed. Embiid, on that play with Robinson and during other instances, crossed that line with zero repercussions.
An entire highlight reel of plays that can be categorized as dirty and non-basketball was committed by Embiid in Game 3. He was assessed one Flagrant-1 foul, as he kept pushing the envelope more and more and was rewarded with 21 free throw attempts in the game.
More must-reads: