Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is looking at a possible following a minor violation he committed during the altercation between teammate Mason Plumlee and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors.
Plumlee and Favors got into each other's faces late into the first quarter of the Nuggets-Jazz game that eventually led to them shoving each other. When things almost escalated, Jokic was one of the players who left the Nuggets' bench.
It is a standard NBA rule that players who are seated at the bench are not allowed to step onto the court during an altercation.
However, Jokic did not get involved. He basically just tried to see what he can do to help pacify the situation.
Still, even if Jokic's intentions were clear, he still wasn't allowed to leave the bench. If he gets suspended, it will add insult to injury, as the Nuggets already lost to the Jazz 114-108.
But Nuggets beat writer Harrison Wind believes that Jokic should not be suspended, as this was similar to a familiar incident involving Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry.
Steph Curry was not suspended for leaving the bench earlier this season on a similar play/altercation. Don't think the league can come down on Nikola Jokic for last night's incident with the precedent that's already been set. pic.twitter.com/UWc9ykAmyl
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) January 24, 2019
Wind's argument is valid, given the fact that Curry also left the Warriors bench during a small fracas that took place during the Warriors' Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Steph did not get suspended.
Although league referees might have their own interpretation for both Curry and Jokic's situations, they should just the latter walk away from this one.
Yes, rules are rules, but suspending him for something that did not cause harm to anyone would just be petty.
Follow Us
Subscribe