Duke basketball: Grayson Allen avoids controversy in latest NBA situation

Duke basketball standout Grayson Allen avoided controversy in the latest NBA situation. 

Anytime the slightest bit of controversy arises in a Memphis Grizzlies (10-11) game, NBA fans on social media look to throw former Duke basketball star Grayson Allen under the bus.

But the opposite was true on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (21-6).

After a missed shot by the Lakers, LeBron James was in between Dillon Brooks and Allen.

The former Blue Devil was able to grab the rebound as the four-time NBA Champion flailed to the deck, getting a foul called on Brooks and keeping the possession with the Lakers.

As much as social media loves to hate on Grayson Allen, the flop was so obvious that the haters love to criticize LeBron more than the former National Champion with the Blue Devils.

Following the game, LeBron James was hit with a stern flopping warning, as was teammate Kyle Kuzma for a subsequent play in the Lakers’ 115-105 victory.

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According to the new flopping violations set forth by the NBA, a player can be fined $5,000, which grows incrementally for each flop violation after the initial warning. A player can be subject to a larger fine or suspension if he is called for flopping more than six times in a season.

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In the loss to Los Angeles, Allen posted 23 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, 6-of-10 from three-point range.

On the season, the former first-round pick is averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 40.7-percent shooting from the floor and 41.0-percent from downtown.

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However, since Grayson Allen returned from his COVID-related absence, he is posting 15.2 points per game.

Allen and the Grizzlies will continue their West Coast trip on Sunday, February 14 against the Sacramento Kings (12-13) at 10:00pm EST.