It didn't take too long for Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris to lose his cool during the team's first preseason game of the 2018-19 season, as New York Knicks rookie Mitchell Robinson pushed the right button to trigger his second technical and consequent ejection.
Morris wasn't happy with the rookie's style of trash talk, claiming he “crossed the line” with his comments, which ultimately enticed his reaction. Robinson wasn't buying it.
“He’s a grown man,’’ Robinson said, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. “He can say what he wants. I don’t really care. I looked at it, laughed and kept going.’’
Knicks coach David Fizdale didn't discipline his rookie player, or advise him in any way, rather happy he stood up for himself against one of the toughest veterans in the league.
“He can say what he wants to say,’’ Fizdale said. “I’m always going to protect my guy. I was proud the way my guy handled it. I like the fact he didn’t back down. But I felt like he was the one who kept his composure — the one who showed the maturity. Using the word ‘stupid’ for him I don’t think was fair.”
Fizdale is hoping to instill a culture based on toughness and impeccable work ethic, attributes that are apparently innate to Robinson, who has bloomed since showing signs of great talent in Summer League.
Robinson was recently injured in Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, suffering a sprained right ankle early in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 107-102 victory at the Barclays Center. Hopefully, it's nothing too bad and the rookie is back on the court soon.
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