Trash talk taboos
However, trash talk in the stadium is not without boundaries. It has its own unspoken rules in terms of content, identity and occasion.
At the beginning of 2018, the Rockets faced the Clippers for the first time in the season. It was also the first time that Chris Paul, who had just arrived in Houston, faced his old team. It even reached the point of personal attacks and insults, and Austin Rivers, who was wearing a suit on the sidelines, choked unscrupulously, which made Trevor Ariza even want to rush into the lounge to "clarify it."
The conflict between the Rockets and the Clippers is the best example of trash talk going out of bounds. According to ESPN reports, the NBA has three unspoken rules for trash talk. First, don’t talk about anything other than skills. The most famous case is the parking lot incident between Garnett and Carmelo Anthony. According to rumors, Garnett humiliated Anthony's wife on the court and asked Anthony to block the crowd, and there was an argument and pushing in the parking lot.
"NBA players are used to normal trash talk, choking a little or distracting their opponents, but respect is the bottom line." Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. "I respect everyone and assume others do the same, don't cross that line." Ariza said when he was suspended that anything involving his family was an absolute taboo. During the 2016 season, Mavericks center Salah Mejri mentioned Ariza's wife and son during the game, which made him Ariza got angry and wanted to talk to Mejri about it. "To talk about things that have nothing to do with the court is crossing the line," Devin Booker said.
In addition, it is also a basic principle not to use curse words. The famous trash talk in the past was creative, not abusive. "Don't humiliate people. Swearing is not trash talk. It is a sign of disrespect." Zach Randolph said.
Second, sit on the bench and watch the game quietly. "You're not playing on the court. Unless something is said about you, everything on the court has nothing to do with you." Vince Carter said. In 2016, the Thunder visited the Warriors. Enes Kanter, who was sitting on the bench, kept trash-talking Durant on the court. At that time, the anchor also believed that Kanter should not talk much since he was not on the court. Even teammate Steve Adams reached out to stop Kanter, "He How long will it take? Three minutes, let’s get on the court first and then talk about it!" Durant said in an interview after the game.
Last but not least, weigh yourself before you choke. The two biggest trash talkers of the new generationDevin BookerandJoel EmbiidThey have all been shut down for this.
After joining the league in 2015, Booker tried to trash talk Russell Westbrook, but Westbrook only replied coldly, "Who are you? I don't even know who you are." The Suns led by Booker have never won more games. Over 24, "With this kind of record, I don't have the confidence to talk trash."
Embiid fell into a 0-3 deficit against the Celtics in the playoffs. Embiid wanted to say something to Marcus Morris, but Morris made a 3-0 gesture and Embiid could only blame himself. Boring, "If I were behind, I would shut up and play hard," Morris said.
If you want to talk trash in the league unhindered, you must first use team performance and personal achievements to prove your qualifications. "If you are nothing, don't talk trash!" James Harden said, "You want to talk trash. , first think about your weight and see if your sign is big enough so that just a passer-by can’t talk trash.”
From the court to the internet
Embiid is currently recognized as the number one trash talker in the NBA. His trash talk is skillful and specific to the game. Andre Drummond, who was deeply affected by it, voted for him, "He often attacks my free throws and defense, and his talk is quite interesting. , but I would also choke that he is the president of the NBA."
But Embiid’s best battlefield is on the Internet. Based on the two years before his injury, Embiid often made nonsense on Twitter and was nicknamed the "King of Twitter" by fans. His current masterpiece is to choke Karl-Anthony Towns first. First, he used the homophone of cat (KAT) to describe it. Towns left a message saying that this post was the worst. Embiid added another shot, "It's a little better than your defense."
Embiid's fierce rival is Hassen Whiteside. There were a lot of sparks between the two sides in the four battles, and the verbal battle online was even more exciting. Embiid believes that trash talking can add fun, "I don't disrespect anyone. I don't just want to win when I play, I also want to have fun. Talking trash is one of the ways." Although he often chokes people, Embiid never skimps on compliments. He once choked Lonzo Ball's father, Lavar Ball, for speaking arrogantly. "You (Ben Simmons) just dunk him hard. His dad will rush to save him anyway." But Embiid said in an interview, He actually likes the player Ball, and arguing with his dad is just for fun and to increase the topic.
