Toronto Raptors starting forward DeMarre Carroll and backup point guard Cory Joseph are currently in the midst of some serious controversy, in case you haven’t heard by now. After beating the Cavaliers in Game 4 Monday night, the Raptors traveled back to Cleveland for a Game 5 showdown that took place on Wednesday evening.
Before this Game 5 showdown, the Raptors held a team dinner Tuesday evening and watched Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Warriors and the Thunder. According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, expectations were that the team would then head to bed and get rest ahead of Game 5. Apparently, DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph didn’t get the memo:
On the morning of the latest, biggest game in Raptors history — just before 2 in the morning to be precise — two prominent Toronto players were spotted walking through a downtown Cleveland casino with a large group, clearly not in game-preparation mode.
This may have had nothing to do with how or why the Raptors were decimated and embarrassed 116-78 again by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. But it makes you wonder.
Why?
Why would DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph put their own reputations in question, possibly put their team in question, by being seen wandering around in the middle of the night?
The Raptors had a team dinner on Tuesday night and stayed together to watch the Western Conference game between Oklahoma City and Golden State. Then it was supposed to be bed time. That’s what coach Dwane Casey believed.
DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph combined for 8 points Wednesday in the Game 5 loss, shooting just 3-12 from the field. They also finished with more turnovers (4) than assists (2), as well.
When questioned on the situation, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey didn’t appear to be worried:
“This isn’t why we lost. This is the NBA, they’re grown men. These are grown men. These things happen”, Casey said.
This story has sparked outrage from both sides. The vast majority, siding with Carroll and Joseph, plead there is absolutely nothing to make of this. Others, such as Steve Simmons, stay firm in stating this is unacceptable during a Playoff series.
Check out some reactions to Simmons’ story:
If NBA player is in hotel room watching episodes of Game of Thrones at 1 or 2 am…how is that diff than being @ public space @ same hour?
— JJ Redick (@JJRedick) May 26, 2016
Such a stupid non story
— JJ Redick (@JJRedick) May 26, 2016
Raptors hitting the Casino sound way worse then it really is. The Casino actually in the hotel and there is no one ever there
— James White (@Flight8) May 26, 2016
DeMarre Carroll & Cory Joseph at a casino at 2am is a non story.Punk move to even ask.Unless you also ask when they go to casino and win?
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) May 26, 2016
