Week 7 of BIG3 basketball in Cincinnati was anything but ordinary. The match between the Enemies and Bivouac saw unexpected sparks fly when NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton, now the head coach of Bivouac, had a heated altercation with former NBA player Jordan Crawford.
The tension ignited when Crawford while inbounding the ball, found himself inches away from Payton, who was loudly admonishing him. Unfazed, Crawford drove to the basket, scored, and mocked the Bivouac defence with a “too small” gesture. As play continued, Payton’s vocal criticisms persisted.
The situation escalated dramatically after Crawford sank a three-pointer and a timeout was called. Crawford walked directly towards Payton, who responded by clapping provocatively in his face.
Crawford, having played 281 NBA games from 2010 to 2018, pushed Payton away and headed towards his bench. The altercation didn’t end there, as Payton continued his verbal assault, prompting more physical intervention from players and referees to prevent further escalation.
Both Payton and Crawford received double technical fouls for their roles in the skirmish. While the BIG3 league is known for its competitive and sometimes physical play, a coach and player clash of this magnitude is a rare spectacle. Despite Payton’s attempts to unsettle him, Crawford had the final word, finishing the game with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. More importantly, his team secured a victory and clinched their first playoff spot in franchise history, handing Bivouac their first loss of the season.
As Week 8 approaches, the league may decide on further disciplinary actions for Gary Payton and Crawford. Both teams remain at the top of the standings, promising more intense battles ahead.
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