Zach LaVine responds to Bulls benching, Giannis speaks following post-game ladder incident, and Kyrie Irving's suspension is over.

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ZACH LAVINE

Zach LaVine Responds to Bulls Benching

Following a 1 for 14 start to the game Bulls all-star guard Zach LaVine was benched for the final 3:43 of Friday’s one-point loss to the Orlando Magic. After the game LaVine came out and told reporters he did not agree with head coach Billy Donovan’s decision to bench him.

LaVine believed he should’ve come in to ice the game for free throws at the end which ended up costing the Bulls the victory. Instead, Vucevic went on to miss two free throws which led to Jalen Suggs’ game-winning three with a few seconds to spare. LaVine has also come out and said that overall he respects Billy Donovan’s decision and that him and Billy are “all good.”

"I got to do a better job at the beginning of the game to make my shots, but you play a guy like me down the stretch," said LaVine. "That's what I do. Do I like the decision? No. Do I have to live with it? Yeah. Be ready to put my shoes on and play the next game." Ultimately LaVine finished the game with four points, five rebounds, and two assists. Nobody knows if LaVine’s free throws would’ve won the game for the Bulls, however with a tough schedule ahead the Bulls need to figure things out quickly.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

Giannis Speaks Following Post-Game Ladder Incident

After Milwaukee’s eight point loss to the 76ers, odd scenes unfolded at Wells Fargo Center. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had a horrible night from the free throw line shooting 4 for 15 after going 4 for 11 on Wednesday night. This ultimately led to Giannis wanting to stay after the game to practice his free throws where he got into an altercation with Philadelphia center Montrezl Harrell. After Giannis shot a free throw, Harrell grabbed the rebound and then walked away with the ball. Harrell said he was upset that Giannis was preventing him from getting his work in.

”I feel like it's very unprofessional. I would never take the ball away from a professional athlete when he's trying to do his job." Giannis said after the game. After the altercation with Harrell, Giannis then went to the 76ers locker room to grab more basketballs to use. When he had come back to the court the Wells Fargo Center staff had a giant 12-foot ladder in front of the hoop. After a minor argument with the staff, Giannis pushed the ladder to the side where it ended up falling over completely.

"I've never tried to disrespect anyone in any way, shape or form. I feel like today is just an unfortunate event that took place." Giannis said. "I don't know if I should apologize because I don't feel like I did anything wrong, except the ladder just fell. I feel like it's my right for me to work on my skills after a horrible night at the free throw line. I think anybody in my position that had a night like me would go out and work on his free throws.”

KYRIE IRVING

Kyrie Irving's Suspension is Over

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was suspended for eight games for his social media posts containing antisemitic ideas. On Sunday night Irving made his return to the starting line-up for the Brooklyn Nets dropping 14 points and five rebounds in a 127-115 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Before the game Sunday, Irving told reporters that he wanted to offer “my deep apologies to all those who are impacted over the last few weeks.” Irving stated, “I don't stand for anything close to hate speech, or antisemitism, or anything that is anti going against the human race. I feel like we all should have an opportunity to speak for ourselves when things are assumed about us. And I feel it was necessary for me to stand in this place and take accountability for my actions because there was a way I should have handled all of this.”

Kyrie had met with multiple members of the Jewish community to have a deeper understanding of everything going on. Irving noted that he felt that he could have handled the initial response better. Irving told reporters, “I should have clarified that I am not antisemitic and I am not anti-anything when it comes to the way I live my life. So the learning lesson for me was just the power of my platform and the impact that it can cause if it's not taken care of the right way.”

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