Recently it’s been a topic of basketball discussion and Eric Bledsoe agreed that the Kentucky Wildcats could beat the winless Philadelphia 76ers in a seven-game series. Well Bledsoe and the Suns faced off against the Sixers last night and Noel took the first opportunity available to send Bledsoe a message.
Nerlens Noel and Eric Bledsoe nearly fight after Noel committed a hard foul 30 seconds after tip-off. The foul sent Bledsoe to the ground and he quickly got up and into the rookie’s face.
via Dime Mag:
Bledsoe was called for a technical after the incident, while Noel – a fellow Kentucky alum, ironically – was levied with a flagrant 1 after video review.
Frankly, that’s a needlessly hard foul. Noel takes a big, aggressive swipe across Bledsoe’s face and midsection after committing the initial contact. The Suns guard had reason to be upset, especially considering his incendiary comments from earlier this week.
Noel won’t cop to any malice but Bledsoe says he did it on purpose.
via CSN Philly:
“They were telling me before if I came into the paint they were going to do something dirty,” Bledsoe said. “I did it on purpose.” …
“You can tell if you look at the tape,” he said. “Like I said, they did it on purpose.”
Noel said he was simply playing defense and he and his fellow Kentucky product are good friends.
“I just tried to protect the rim and I gave him a pat on the butt,” Noel said. “[Bledsoe] is my good friend. We rehabbed together down in Birmingham, Alabama so it was nothing personal.”
