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Grayson Allen gets ejected from Summer League after two flagrant fouls

By Kevin Connelly

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after he was ejected from a game for a flagrant foul on Grant Williams #40 of the Boston Celtics during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after he was ejected from a game for a flagrant foul on Grant Williams #40 of the Boston Celtics during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The former Duke Basketball legend and controversial star, Grayson Allen, was ejected from a NBA Summer League game on Thursday night for picking up two flagrant fouls.

It didn’t quite take over the Twitter world like the Russell Westbrook – Chris Paul trade but those who were still awake after midnight on the East Coast saw Grayson Allen get ejected from the Memphis Grizzlies Summer League game on Thursday night.

Allen picked up two flagrant fouls a very short span in the fourth quarter of Memphis’ 113-87 loss to the Boston Celtics.

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The Duke star who had his fair share of controversy in Durham appeared to shove Celtics rookie Grant Williams coming off a screen to receive his first flagrant foul and then going up for a block attempt on the ensuing possession, hit Williams in the head to receive his second flagrant and was then ejected from the game due to the two flagrant fouls.

The second flagrant was much more questionable than the first, but due to the head related injuries in basketball and in other sports, any contact to the head has recently been ruled as an almost automatic flagrant foul.

ESPN broadcasters Ryan Ruocco and Dan Dakich scolded Allen on the broadcast, and rightfully so, but very unprofessionally as the referee went over to the broadcasters to inform them of the ruling on the floor for the first flagrant, Dakich showed a sly smile to the referee and motioned to have Allen ejected.

Duke and college basketball fans will remember the gripe Dakich seemingly has with Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devil program for many years, claiming on a Duke vs. Virginia Tech broadcast in 2017-18, that Marvin Bagley III was a selfish player and only cared about himself.

In addition to that, Dakich was also complaining that Coach K spent too much time talking to the referees during a timeout instead of being in the huddle with his team.

While Dakich’s “analysis” is always questionable, to put it nicely, it still doesn’t excuse Allen for his actions on the floor. It is his first ejection in his NBA career and maybe wasn’t the best way to continue to introduce himself to his new Memphis teammates.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks, and Allen’s teammate at Duke for one season Tyus Jones were all in attendance for Thursday’s game.

Prior to his ejection, Allen was struggling heavily, finishing the game with just three points in 19 minutes, going 1-for-8 from the field and 1-6 from 3-point range, in addition to missing both of his free throw attempts. The former Blue Devil did have two rebounds and four assists.

Allen’s movements on the court will always be under a microscope due to the tripping incidents at Duke and while he must stay aggressive in his NBA career; players, fans, and media know about his history and will be trying to bate him into doing something where he will not get the benefit of the doubt.

According to MassLive.com, Grant Williams did not put too much into Allen’s fouls, telling the website after the game:

"“He’s a competitor. Don’t take anything personally. I’ve always thought of it as you wind up in the game, things like that happen. So you respect him, he’s a talented player. He’s a guy who did really great things at Duke, he’s good friends with a couple of my friends, so I didn’t take it personally. It was just a matter of competing on the court.”"

However, fans and media that are calling Grayson Allen’s actions into question must not recall the time Marcus Smart pushed a fan behind the basket when he was at Oklahoma State and his fights and antics in the NBA.

Also let’s not forget Draymond Green and his kicking and punching of players in their groin areas, specifically LeBron James and Steven Adams, and host of other NBA players who have had “dirty” plays at some point in their careers.

None of it takes away from the actions of Grayson Allen, but fans should look at his actions with a grain of salt, knowing that these things happen very often in the NBA.

Two other players have been ejected in Summer League games this season, but since neither player (Drew Eubanks and Nick Perkins) have the popularity of a name like “Grayson Allen” is won’t get mentioned much, if ever.

There does not seem to be any further penalty from the NBA to come down on Grayson Allen but it remains to be seen whether or not he will play fro the Memphis Grizzlies in its next game on Saturday July 13 at 4:30pm EST in a rematch with the Boston Celtics.

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