Nikola Mirotic sparked the Cleveland Cavaliers’ initial run in Game 6 that ultimately proved too big for the Chicago Bulls to overcome. Needless to say, the rookie’s debut campaign ended on an extremely sour note after he randomly clotheslined Iman Shumpert and stoked Cleveland’s competitive fire.
At least the 24-year-old left United Center without incident, though.
Following the Cavaliers’ series-clinching win, Shumpert was overheard telling LeBron James that Mirotic should tread lightly given that the flat-topped wing hails from Chicago. James agreed.
Here’s Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:
After the game, Shumpert was still miffed by that wrestling tactic. As he was getting dressed, he was telling James “That dude better be cool. I’m from here. I got my family here and everything. He wants to get out safe, don’t he?”
It prompted a laugh from his teammates and James responded, “He must not know you’re from The Chi.”
These aren’t actual fighting words, of course. Shumpert was merely sharing a light-hearted moment in the locker room with teammates, playfully examining a big play from an even bigger win.
Mirotic’s flagrant-1 foul, by the way, was certainly dirty. Shumpert had every reason to be upset, especially considering the Rookie of the Year runner-up stood over him as he lie on the ground.
Shump on Mirotic foul: "That wasn’t smart. I didn’t like that at all. There was no need for it and to stand over me … That wasn’t smart”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 15, 2015
Understandable.
And the quips from Shumpert and James are, too. But the Cavs should perhaps play their fun a bit closer to the vest next time. This is the type of thing that’s easily misconstrued by the public, and adds fuel to the negative perception many still hold of all professional athletes.
And while that’s obviously unfair, it’s also an inevitable reality.