The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers are ready to clash for the first time this season on Monday. The anticipated showdown, featuring former MVP LeBron James against current MVP Joel Embiid, promises to be a captivating matchup.
Prior to the game, Paul Reed made headlines with his ‘big flopper’ comment about Anthony Davis. However, the comment seems to have reached the Lakers Head Coach, who hilariously replied to the comment.
Darvin Ham brutally claps back at Paul Reed’s ‘big flopper’ comment
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently on a four-game road trip, and their second matchup is against the Philadelphia 76ers. If the Lakers are seeking additional motivation for this game, they can find it in the recent comments made by 76ers forward Paul Reed. Reed took a shot at Lakers star center Anthony Davis, labeling him a “big flopper.”
Considering Reed’s teammate, these words seem peculiar, but the comment did not go unnoticed by the Lakers, including head coach Darvin Ham. Ham addressed Reed’s comment before the tip-off, expressing his thoughts saying, “This morning, “He’s got to go guard him, I guess. … Best of luck, Paul,” according to Dave McMenamin.
Certainly, Ham and the Lakers’ big man seem to have taken note of Reed’s words. While Reed’s comments may have stirred some confusion in the Lakers’ locker room, the focus now shifts to observing how the star big man responds. This game holds significance between two title contenders, and AD will have to deliver a standout performance for the purple and gold to secure another road victory against a formidable team.
What did Paul Reed say on Anthony Davis?
Never one to shy away, Philadelphia 76ers’ backup center Paul Reed shared his straightforward approach to guarding Anthony Davis before Monday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. During the shootaround, Sixers forward Paul Reed was questioned about slowing down Lakers star Anthony Davis, and he didn’t mince words, labeling the eight-time All-Star as “a big flopper.”
In a tweet Paul Reed responded to defending Anthony Davies saying, “He’s a big flopper so make sure I don’t get in foul trouble early by any—I can’t be too aggressive with him. He’s gonna be flailing so I gotta make sure I stay out of foul trouble.”
While it might seem like Reed is openly challenging the eight-time All-Star, a move usually avoided before a significant matchup, it’s actually a quite reasonable comment considering both Reed’s and Davis’ playing styles. Davis is presently averaging 5.9 free-throw attempts per game and has a reputation for drawing fouls.
On the other hand, Reed has a tendency to find himself in foul trouble. The 24-year-old accumulated four fouls in games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks, along with three fouls against the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns, all while averaging just 13.4 minutes this season.
Despite the criticism from Paul Reed, in his 32-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, Davis took seven free throws. To have any chance of containing him, the 76ers will need to keep him away from the charity stripe.
