While most NBA players take pride in their ability to put the ball in the basket, some focus on the less glamorous aspects of the game, such as rebounding. One such player was forward Reggie Evans .
According to All-Star wingman DeMar DeRozan , who was teammates with the former Iowa standout on the Toronto Raptors during the 2010-2011 season, Evans was so keen on grabbing every loose ball that he fought anyone who dared to get in his way, including his teammate, James Johnson.
Reggie got heated
Speaking on “The Underground Lounge” with former Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams, Deebo shared that the trouble began when JJ kept stealing Evans’ rebounds.
“You know how Reggie is about his rebounds—he didn’t care about anything else. But James kept stealing Reggie’s rebounds, so Reggie was like, ‘Steal my rebound again, and we’re fighting.’ He told JJ that straight up,” the former USC Trojan revealed .
The two forwards kept bickering until, during a timeout, JJ challenged Reggie to fight him after the game in the locker room.
“During a timeout, we’re in the huddle, and they’re arguing. Nobody wanted to break it up; they were just going back and forth. JJ hits him with, ‘After the game, me and you in the locker room,’ and left it at that,” the newest member of the Sacramento Kings added. “Whatever happened in the game, I don’t even remember. I was more nervous about what was going to happen in the locker room after!”
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Amir Johnson tried to break things up
As soon as the Raptors returned to their locker room after the game, the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. JJ and Reggie were standing on opposite sides, glaring at each other. Amir Johnson, one of the team’s veterans at the time, stepped in between them and tried to calm things down. However, that proved a bad idea as Johnson, known for his martial arts prowess, effortlessly dispatched Amir.
“Nobody wanted to break it up; we were all more scared to step in than anything else. I think Amir tried to grab JJ, but James twisted his arm, or something, and Amir just let go. That’s how intense it was,” the six-time All-Star recalled.
With team chemistry like that, it was no surprise Toronto went a miserable 22-60 during that season, finishing near the bottom of the standings. As for Evans, he finished that season averaging a career-high 11.5 rebounds per game before signing to play for the Los Angeles Clippers the following season.
Related: Chris Kaman's reaction after Reggie Evans grabbed his b***s during a playoff game: "I felt I got violated by another man"
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