Isaiah Stewart suspension punishment call after NBA star’s ‘super dangerous’ play on Giannis Antetokounmpo
ISAIAH STEWART is facing calls to be suspended after a “super dangerous” play against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
During the Milwaukee Bucks’ 127-120 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Stewart was pulled up for a Flagrant 2 foul against Giannis.
The Pistons centre was seen ripping the Greek down to the ground after grabbing onto the back of his shirt as he went up for a two-pointer in the third quarter.
Stewart was ejected from the game, though Giannis fortunately avoided injury.
However, the nature of the play means league chiefs could hit Stewart with a harsher penalty.
Ahead of Mike Tyson’s return to the ring in his boxing match with Jake Paul, two-time MVP winner Giannis borrowed a quote from Iron Mike, telling reporters: “He said some guys are manufactured killers.
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“He’s a born killer. I feel the same way.”
Bucks forward Bobby Portis was critical of the move, blasting: “On this particular play, I don’t think it was a basketball play.
“It wasn’t necessary, especially pulling someone down by their jersey. Things could have got out of hand and he could’ve got hurt. Definitely wasn’t called for.”
“I’m glad Giannis was okay…if (the referees) let that one slide, they have to let one of mine slide too.”
Some fans were far more critical of the play, with one on social media saying: “He should be suspended!”
While another said: “What a joke. Fine, suspension, all of it. No place in the game for just a dirty, dirty play like that.”
However, the league has made no decision as of yet, and takes a player’s unsportsmanlike history into account when considering such cases.
Stewart, 23, has never been suspended for a flagrant foul in any of his five NBA seasons.
However, he has previously been suspended twice for his role in altercations.
Last season he was hit with a three-game ban following a pre-game bust-up with Drew Eubanks.
Meanwhile, he was hit with a two-game suspension in his second season for an on-court altercation after he was bloodied by a LeBron James elbow near his eye.
James was ejected for the foul, but Stewart attempted to charge towards the Los Angeles Lakers star multiple times while bleeding heavily. League chiefs banned him for escalating the situation.
Giannis added: “I just feel the same way. I’ve been in that position many times in my life. I have two older brothers that, you know, push me on the floor, play, be tough on me, especially Thanasis.
“I’ve been so many times hit. So, it doesn’t really faze me anymore. It doesn’t really faze me. All I could think about was get up and try to make two free throws.
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“At the same time, it’s a dangerous play. That’s not a basketball play. I think the ref did a great job of making the right call. I couldn’t hear what it was, but I know that he got ejected.
“But at the end of the day when you play guys like (Jalen) Duren and Stewart, guys that are physical, tough, you gotta expect that. Coming to the game I knew it was going to be tough for me to get to my angles and make plays.”
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