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Marcus Hayes: Kelly Oubre Jr.'s Philly moment: It was lyrical, poignant, even poetic. Even if he gets punished for it.

Marcus Hayes, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Basketball

He looked each of them in the eye, and pointed at them, and said:

“You’re a b----, you’re a b----, and you’re a b----. A’ight?”

He was not done. He brought up their forebears, once again pointing to each:

“Your mom’s a b----, your dad’s a b----, your grandma’s a b----.”

Oubre’s initial assertion regarding the refs might have merit, but his judgment of their ancestors is unfair. Wildly entertaining, but unfair.

Also, in bad form. My 15-year-old daughter, who’s a hell of a baller, attended Wednesday’s game, and she brought two teammates, also excellent basketball players and well-rounded athletes. They were shocked at Oubre’s words and actions, and they asked me afterward if his words and actions, and those of his coach, were inappropriate. I, of course, told them that yes, those words and actions were inappropriate, and they should never seek to mimic them.

 

But damn, it was smooth.

Oubre will get fined and he might even get suspended, but this is the way Matthew McConaughey or Billy Dee Williams would get fined or suspended.

His protest was so elegant and lyrical it could’ve been set to music.

In the locker room, Oubre apologized for his actions, blaming the heat of the moment and recognizing his shortcomings as they pertain to the teachings of his god. The apology, too, was eloquent. It might even save him some money.

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