It makes sense that one big man would have another’s back. While the showdown between Nikola Jokic and Markief Morris�has generated a lot of buzz, Shaq is standing with Jokic. On Tuesday night, Shaquille O’Neal and the Inside the NBA crew discussed the scuffle from Monday night’s Heat vs. Nuggets matchup. After Ernie Johnson asked if O’Neal was okay with Jokic’s actions, Shaq had this to say:
“Ernie, it’s called retaliation. And first of all, when you hit me, don’t turn around. Don’t turn around Brad Miller, ‘cuz I’m swingin’. Do not turn around, you either gonna take it in the front or take it in the back. As a big guy, when a little guy hits you, you gotta touch him on back. I have no problem with what the Joker did. I actually like it as a big guy. You got these guys fouling on you, hanging on you. He hit him. Intentional. Unnecessary roughness. What do you do as a big guy? You go hit him back. When you hit me, don’t turn your head, ‘cuz it’s coming.”�
Shaquille O’Neal
Seeing as Shaq comes from an old-school frame of mind, it makes sense that he would support Nikola Jokic standing up for himself. In addition to O’Neal, Charles Barkley also voiced support for Jokic’s handling of the situation. Though Jokic’s retaliation was heavy-handed, the cheap shot by Morris has not escaped scrutiny.
Discipline for both Jokic and Morris
Following the scuffle, the NBA has seen fit to punish both players involved.�The NBA announced Tuesday night�that Jokic is suspended for one game without pay. Additionally, Markief Morris has been fined $50,000 for his Flagrant Foul 2. Lastly, Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has been fined $30,000 for “attempting to escalate the altercation” between Morris and Jokic. Jokic will serve his suspension on November 10, when the Nuggets play the Indiana Pacers.�
