NBA teams use the preseason games to run some plays they practiced during their training camp and to improve their player's conditioning. Head coaches usually place minutes restrictions on their starters to control their playing time to avoid injuries and preserve their stamina for the regular season.
Simply put, these contests have no bearing that's why they are called exhibition games.
But two All-Stars, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies, decided to turn on the intensity meter and treat their game like it was the playoffs. The two got involved in a showing match which led to both players receiving a technical foul each.
It's a good thing that cooler heads prevailed. Westbrook and Gasol got separated right away as nobody wanted to see the altercation turn into a brawl which may result to possible suspensions during the regular season.
Westbrook had this to say afterwards:
Russell Westbrook on his heated exchange with Marc Gasol: "He hit me, I hit him back. I don't play that." pic.twitter.com/jIKxT0rr4g
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) October 14, 2016
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