Last night, the Toronto Raptors hosted an Eastern Conference Finals game for the first time in their franchise’s history, and it was a major success. Behind a prolific performance by its two-headed monster of a backcourt, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, and an inspiring effort by Bismack Biyombo, the Raptors handed the Cavaliers their first loss of the postseason, and inched a game closer to tying the series, which now stands at 2-1.

Bismack Biyombo has been an unlikely hero so far in these playoffs for the Raptors, who lost their starting center, Jonas Valenciunas, to injury during the Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat. Last night, Biyombo was everywhere on defense, grabbing 16 rebounds in the first half, and blocking key shots down the stretch, including an impressive swat on Kyrie Irving that seemed to suck the air out of the final Cavs rally of the night.

However, not everyone was impressed with the young center’s defense last night, namely LeBron James. On one particular play, Biyombo was called for a flagrant foul on LeBron after he hooked LeBron’s neck with his arm, and appeared to lightly guide James’ body to the ground as the Cavs star attempted a lay-up. Angry words were shouted and refs had to intervene, but nary a scuffle emanated.

After the game, naturally, reporters had questions for LBJ about Biyombo’s pesky play, which also riled up Cavs forward Tristan Thompson earlier in the game. Specifically, James was asked whether or not there would ever be a situation that would prompt him to retaliate, and in answering, LeBron quoted the opening lines of Jay Z‘s cult classic “Streets Is Watching,” which go as follows: “Look, If I shoot you, I’m brainless / But if you shoot me, you’re famous / What’s a n***a to do?”

It sounds like James is insinuating that fighting Biyombo, or any other opponent for that matter, is a lose-lose situation, and he’s probably right. Biyombo’s antics were celebrated during yesterday’s game, whlie LeBron was criticized for complaining and flopping. That dynamic will likely only be exacerbated if LBJ were to actually physically engage another player.

May 22, 2016