“ The kid also did some stupid things in Houston, if you remember. » The “kid” to which Jusuf Nurkic refers His name is Cam Whitmore. Last night in Phoenix, the Rockets rookie found himself at the heart of a dispute with Devin Booker.
The two men exchanged words, before exchanging more head-on with mutual pushes, midway through the fourth quarter. An altercation ended with a technical foul each.
Devin Booker, too, considers that the scuffle “ had started in the previous match », in Houston last Friday. “ It’s just about being competitive, being more physical. I like this. I have found myself in this type of situation many times before. I was that same young player doing the same thing. I remember doing the same thing to Jimmy Butler during my rookie season », Testifies the back of the Suns, author of 20 of his 35 points in the first quarter.
Butler on Suns rookie Booker: “He was talking trash to me; crazy. I was like, 'Excuse me.' Sometimes I think you should just play.”
— Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) November 19, 2015
“ You never want to back down and I respect going after a top player. You just have to be ready to do it “, he adds, implying that the 19-year-old was not. His pivot believes that the Rockets are looking to play basketball “ foolish “. “ I understand that they are young, they must fight. They have a good coach, a superb base for the future. But we don't want to play this type of basketball », Announces the Bosnian who played an important role in the continuity of this sequence.
Support from Jusuf Nurkic
Because just after the resumption of play, the pivot will sign a double against, under the circle, from the rookie opposite, who saw his success percentage sink (14 points at 5/14 on shots). A few seconds later again, in attack this time, he caused two consecutive fouls from Alperen Sengun. Whistles that the Turk will not tolerate, to the point of being sent back to the locker room by the referees.
Moral and in-game support appreciated by Devin Booker: “ It’s very important, it’s the team that sticks together. This is a good thing. It's what you need when things get tough, you're in the heat of the moment, and energy is high. You want to know that you have guys on your team who are built like that. »
Leading by 9 points at the time of the confusion, Phoenix found itself 15 points ahead. A lead squandered in the finale, but ultimately sufficient. Next episode Saturday, with a new reception from the Texans.
