nypost
Charles Barkley was far from impressed by the commotion that erupted during one of the NBA's showcase matchups on Wednesday night.
With 1:25 remaining in the first half in Detroit, 76ers center Joel Embiid and Pistons big man Tolu Smith III became entangled under the basket. The two big men were jockeying for position as Philadelphia's Jaylen Brown drove to the rim. Brown was fouled on the play, but Embiid leaped to grab the missed shot. Smith then swatted the ball out of Embiid's hands, igniting a brief shoving match that prompted teammates and coaches from both sides to step in and restore order.
The incident did little to excite the Inside the NBA crew. Shaquille O'Neal joked that he would call the police on the players, but Barkley quickly fired back, saying law enforcement wasn't necessary for such a minor scuffle. 'I've been kissed harder,' Barkley quipped. Kenny Smith seized the moment to tease his colleague: 'Stop telling us about your love life.'
Given that Barkley, Smith, and O'Neal played in a far more physical era, it's no surprise the skirmish left them underwhelmed.
Embiid, who received a technical foul for initiating the altercation, was also involved in another bizarre moment earlier in the game when he pump-faked a shot and appeared to make low contact with Cade Cunningham as he passed the ball.
The veteran center dominated nonetheless, finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds in the 112-106 victory that improved Philadelphia to 8-1. Brown added 30 points, while LeBron James contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. The revamped 76ers now boast the most wins in the NBA.
Key Analysis
Barkley's dismissive reaction underscores the contrast between today's NBA and the more physical style of past decades. While the Embiid-Smith scuffle provided a brief spark, it was ultimately a minor footnote in a game that showcased Philadelphia's early-season dominance.
Originally reported by nypost.