Introduction
It was one of the most shocking moments in NBA Bite. When Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris bit Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka in a game last month, it made national headlines.
But what was going through his head when he did it? What led to the altercation in the first place? We may never know for sure, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a closer look at the story behind the headlines.
In this article, we’ll explore what may have led to Morris’ controversial bite and discuss what could happen next for both players.
What Led Up to the NBA Bite Incident?
If you’ve been on the internet at all in the last few days, you may have seen some headlines about an NBA bite. The story has been all over social media, with people weighing in on what they think happened.
But what’s the real story behind the headlines? Well, here’s what we know so far. On Saturday night, February 8th, during a game between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, something happened between Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat and Kendrick Perkins of the Atlanta Hawks.
It was unclear exactly what happened, but it appeared that Whiteside had bitten Perkins. The video was pretty damning, and NBA officials took swift action. They voted 68-30 to suspend Hassan Whiteside for one game.
This story has generated a lot of conversation on social media, with people questioning whether or not Whiteside actually bit Perkins. Some people are claiming that it was just an accident, while others are convinced that it was intentional. What do you think?
What Happened in the Aftermath?
So what happened in the aftermath? Well, alternative streaming services stepped up to fill the gap. NBABite provided free live broadcasts of NBA games, but was quickly shut down by the league. However, alternatives such as NBA Streams XYZ are still going strong.
In a bizarre turn of events, Matt Barnes claimed to have saved Skip Bayless from an NBA player. Supposedly, Bayless was getting too close to the action and an NBA player was about to take a bite out of him. Barnes stepped in and saved him, presumably using his martial arts skills.
Did the Players Involved Face Repercussions?
So, what happened with the NBA bite?
Well, at the time it happened, there were little repercussions for the players involved. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, who were captured on video appearing to bite Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan, faced no fines or penalties from the NBA. In fact, many people argued that James and Irving weren’t even the ones who bit DeRozan.
And what about the referees?
Unfortunately for them, they can’t be fined either. That’s because the referees in the NBA are part of a union, and the union will fight any fines that are handed down. This was most recently seen when Gary Payton argued with referees during his NBA career.
How Did Fans and NBA Personnel React?
People have been talking about the NBA bite for weeks, ever since it become an instant sensation. Fans of the league expressed their excitement for the deal, seeing it as a step in the right direction for teams and players to be able to determine their own destiny. Charles Barkley, a former NBA player and current “analyst” on television, was also supportive of the move, calling it ingenious from a business standpoint.
What put the icing on the cake was Pitbull’s reworked version of his hit single “Timber,” entitled “Bite,” that was released at the start of the NBA Playoffs. It pumped up fans with its catchy hook while also giving a playful nod to Lebron James’ now infamous nationally broadcasted feast. The song has helped to boost enthusiasm for this season’s playoffs and has enabled people to look past current controversies and enjoy what really matters about basketball -the game itself.
What Have Been the Implications of What Happened?
So, what happened after the NBA Bite went down? Well, it’s been a roller-coaster ride ever since. On Reddit, the post got 68 votes and 30 comments from users expressing their varied opinions about what happened.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kevin Johnson released an arena funding report which included a proposal for a new arena in Sacramento. This raised eyebrows on how much of the NBA Bite situation had an influence on his decision to move forward with the project.
Also, it was Tree Rollins’ 28th anniversary of that infamous bite in Boston sports history—the very same event which sparked this social media frenzy in the first place. It’s almost as if full circle moment was happening with every step that was taken thereafter.
What Lesson Can Be Taken Away From the Incident?
This incident can be viewed as a warning to all professional athletes—no matter how successful they are, they should maintain their professionalism and stay away from any kind of scandal. The Miami Heat is a powerhouse team, with three all-star players on their roster, and if it wasn’t for the distraction of the NBA Bite incident, they might have been able to beat the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.
The lesson here is that scandals can be extremely costly for everyone involved. In this case, James was fined and suspended for two games, damaging his reputation and costing him money. In addition, it showcased his unprofessional behavior on a national level that could potentially harm his future career opportunities.
For all professional athletes and sports teams out there, remember: NBABite is available on multiple internet-connected devices, so don’t let a few moments of indiscretion ruin your entire career.
Conclusion
So what does this all mean for the NBA? First and foremost, it’s a good thing that the issue has been resolved relatively quickly. The NBA doesn’t need the extra negative press, especially as the playoffs heat up.
The league will also need to look into what happened and determine what, if any, measures need to be taken to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. It’s possible that the NBA will need to introduce more stringent security measures at games, or that they may revisit their code of conduct and specifically ban biting.
In the meantime, the NBA can rest assured that the vast majority of fans are still behind them, and that the majority of players are good, upstanding citizens. This incident is a black eye for the league, but it’s not likely to ruin their reputation.