If you’ve been under a rock for the last two days, you may have missed the party that’s been happening. And by party, I mean Detroit Pistons’ Andre Drummond’s back and forth with Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid.
It all started Tuesday night toward the end of regulation between the Pistons and 76ers. With the sides tied 118-118, with 42.8 seconds left in the quarter, Drummond reached up for an incoming rebound. Sticking his arm out to fend off Embiid, Andre appeared to graze his face. Seen in the replay below it looks like, if he touched him at all, it was barely enough to even be registered by Embiid.
Andre Drummond fouls out on this play …
Joel Embiid pops up: "GET HIM OUTTA HERE!" pic.twitter.com/DpDYdbVSEp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 24, 2018
Look at that delayed reaction.
It was enough of a performance to sell to the ref though, and Drummond was ejected on his 2nd technical of the night. The game ended up in overtime, and the Pistons sealed their 3rd win of the season, 133-132, on a three-point play by star Blake Griffin, who ended the night with 50 points. Embiid did some trashing of Drummond to reporters post-game, stating “I feel like I own a lot of real estate in his head”. Andre replied in like-fashion, but on social media, instead of the usual media.
Lol does he? If that’s so he wouldn’t be so excited to have me off the floor? Think about it that’s a silly statement ! I’ll take the W though enjoy flight home #Emmyaward winning actor
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) October 24, 2018
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey made a call to the league office about Drummond’s ejection on his behalf. He ultimately got the technical reversed, on the grounds that Embiid was found to have flopped on the play. Casey obviously believes it was the right move and states that flopping has no place in the game.
“It’s great for the game,” Casey said Thursday. “You’d hope our officials would be better at seeing the flop and calling the flop because you took one of our starters out of a game.
“Andre is accountable for his actions, but to guess in that situation as to whether an elbow was thrown, he knocked him down or a punch was thrown, that’s not good for our game to reward flopping.”
Drummond gave his final words on the matter after his technical was rescinded, telling everyone what he really thinks of Embiid’s play.
“It was a mistake obviously,” Drummond said. “It shows what kind of player he is. We won the game.
“That’s all that matters.”
…
“It’s not about bragging rights, I just want to win the game,” Drummond said. “I have no personal vendetta with (Embiid). He makes it a thing to say something about me so obviously it must be on his mind. I’m just there to win the game and try to put my team in the best position to win.”
Drummond finished his night with 14 points, 2 assists, and 16 rebounds in 36 minutes played.
