The NBA is as petty as it is entertaining, and those two things are far from mutually exclusive.
Following Houston’s immediately infamous report detailing every time the officials supposedly screwed them over in last year’s Western Conference finals, there’s never been a more fitting time to take a look at the pettiest moments of the season.
Let’s do this.
10. The Blazers’ Twitter account owns Russell Westbrook
I’ve been saying it for years, give Portland’s social media guy/girl a raise.
Next question.#RipCity pic.twitter.com/ob9bpGTrPV
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 24, 2019
9. Pacers fans chant ‘LeBron’s gonna trade you’ at Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram steps to line as “LeBron’s gonna trade you” chants rain upon him pic.twitter.com/aiG4NCy3Ex
— LeWob James (@WorldWideWob) February 6, 2019
One of the all-time chants.
8. Russell Westbrook has a go on Lance Stephenson’s air-guitar
Someone print this out, frame it, and put it in The Louvre.
7. Kings troll Steph Curry with moon landing video
Sacramento Kings game ops giving Steph Curry a hard time about his moon landing comments during pregame introductions. The Warriors players were chuckling. pic.twitter.com/bAtTAfcDKS
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) December 15, 2018
Who knew that the most prominent voice in the advancement of science that week would be the Sacramento Kings.
6. James Harden has the audacity to ask for a “fair chance” from the officials
"I just want a fair chance, man. Just call the game the way it’s supposed to be called and we’ll live with the results.”
James Harden voiced his opinion about the officiating after Game 1. pic.twitter.com/9GmtB2EjPp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2019
James Harden asking for a fair go from the referees is like Apple asking for more favourable tax treatment.
5. Anthony Davis wears a ‘that’s all folks’ to the Pelicans’ finale
Anthony Davis is wearing a shirt reading "That's All Folks!" to the arena in what is likely his last game with the Pelicans 🙃 pic.twitter.com/dN5a0OTwsi
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 9, 2019
Davis, the man who had claimed he was trying to take control of his career, later said he had no control over which clothes he wore each day.
The t-shirt incident was only slightly juicier than when New Orleans removed Anthony Davis from their pre-game hype video and social media banners.
In that moment, the Pelicans were like your friend who got dumped and bitterly deleted every photo of his ex from his Instagram.
4. Mario Hezonja steps over Giannis Antetokounmpo
MARIO HEZONJA WITH THE 🔥🔥 DUNK AND STEP OVER GIANNIS pic.twitter.com/8ejcI7HIvx
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 1, 2018
What a moment for Mario Hezonja, a man who treads the line between bravery and stupidity.
Then there was Giannis’s response…
“I’m going to punch him next time.” – Giannis on Hezonja stepping over him. 😳😳😳 (via @APOOCH) pic.twitter.com/KPTYwqycee
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) December 2, 2018
3. The Warriors send tapes to the NBA complaining about Patrick Beverly’s defence
Just get on with playing basketball, how bow dah.
2. Draymond spits fire at Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant and Draymond Green get into an argument at the end of regulation against the Clippers last night. pic.twitter.com/wG7ILKYWou
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 13, 2018
According to endless reports at the time, this shouting match was even more vicious than it looked and had the potential to permanently damage Durant and Green’s relationship.
1. Rockets document every moment they were supposedly robbed by the refs in last year’s Western Conference finals
Nice one Houston, way to come off as petty AND nerdy all at the same time.
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