Well, folks. We’ve officially reached the point of the NBA calendar when Pro-Am disputes are the most interesting thing in basketball.
The two players whose beef caught our attention over the weekend were 2022 NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray and 2022 NBA Draft No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero.
Earlier this summer, Murray made headlines for trying an incredibly disrespectful “off-the-heezy” move while playing at Jamal Crawford’s Pro-Am.
Murray and Banchero are both from Seattle and spent this weekend competing in Isaiah Thomas’ “Zeke-End” tournament in nearby Tacoma. Fans witnessed a preview of a potential Eastern Conference Southeast Division rivalry as Murray represents the Hawks and Banchero represents the Magic.
Banchero played well even when Murray, the NBA’s reigning steals leader, was defending him. Murray’s team eventually double-teamed Banchero to slow him down.
Emotions ran high, however, and things started to feel a bit intense on the court before eventually carrying over onto social media. Below is a summary of what happened in case you may have missed it on your timeline Sunday night.
Murray bumps into Banchero earlier in the game
Paolo is so strong that he goes up for the ball and unintentionally makes Dejounte Murray bust his ass on the floor.
Paolo doesn't even realize he's mad when Murray uses his strength to push Paolo back.
Paolo stops his momentum, hugs him, and pats him on the belly lol. pic.twitter.com/NttfjFy1RG
— WeltGawd (@WeltGawd) August 8, 2022
Dejounte Murray calls Banchero "little boy" and "soft"
"It's a man's league. He a little boy, he's too soft."
Dejounte Murray calls Paolo a "little boy" and "soft" 😳
(via @HomeTeamHoops) pic.twitter.com/74fT5fOyib
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) August 8, 2022
Dejounte Murray says "WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES"
Paolo says Dejounte unfollowed him on Instagram, tells him to stop double teaming
Paolo Banchero posted this on his IG story in response to Dejounte Murray's play
(via @Pp_doesit) pic.twitter.com/ZdxZg7pIZy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 8, 2022
Dejounte says Paolo "Tried To Flex" and that he "Changed" and needs to "Stay Humble"
Dejounte Murray has now responded to Paolo Banchero… oh boy. pic.twitter.com/wINyBWVYXM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 8, 2022
Paolo insists he is still the same "humble kid"
The bigger person @Pp_doesit pic.twitter.com/avzrsg8jjx
— Markee Randolph (@MagicMarkee) August 8, 2022
NBA fans had mixed reactions...
Dejounte Murray told Paolo Banchero that the NBA changed him and he didn’t even play 5 minutes of NBA basketball.
— Ahmed/INeedHer.eth 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 8, 2022
I refuse to believe the Paolo/Dejounte thing is that serious lmbo
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) August 8, 2022
That response from Murray got me vexxed lol all Paolo said was stop doubling 😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Jason Maples (@JJMaples55_MST) August 8, 2022
Me catching up on this Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero beef pic.twitter.com/6DNPNmDFcD
— Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) August 8, 2022
Shoutout to Paolo and Dejounte for attempting to get someone to care about a Magic-Hawks regular season game.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) August 8, 2022
Dejounte Murray after scoring in a pro am game pic.twitter.com/TnwEuVqNVl
— Magic Fan (@OrlandoTragic_) August 8, 2022
Dejounte too old to be beefing with a 19 year old like this man LMFAOOOOOO
— ShokoIeirisStayAtHomeHusband (@TerranovaNoah) August 8, 2022
They not gonna like Dejounte after this but that’s okay. That’s what we want
Hawks aren’t here to be buddy buddy anymore man we need a culture change in the locker room and that’s what Dejounte is bringing to this team
— Atlanta Hawks Fan (@atlhawkstime11) August 8, 2022
Dejounte Murray : Paolo banchero needs to be humble
Also Dejounte Murray last week Vs a 9-5 worker pic.twitter.com/yEeaVFkjUw
— John (@iam_johnw) August 8, 2022
what in the Degrassi is going with Paolo Banchero and Dejounte Murray?
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) August 8, 2022
