Several members of the Cleveland Cavaliers shared a laugh with Rodney Hood after hearing his apology for not entering Monday night’s series-clinching win over the Toronto Raptors, according to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
With the Cavs leading by quite a wide margin in the fourth quarter (30+ points at one time), head coach Tyronn Lue called on some of his reserves to enter the game. For reasons still a bit unknown, Hood declined to engage.
Initially, there were reports indicating that Hood’s teammates were angered by his decision. However, it seems that wasn’t really the case.
As most hoops fans know, the Cavs have been through the proverbial ringer this season. Hood’s choice to not enter a game pales in comparison to some of the various rigors the team has endured.
“They was like, ‘Hood, that’s not really a distraction’ because of everything that they’ve been through this year, so they all took light of it,” Hood told Vardon after Thursday’s practice session. “They understand, so it wasn’t anything really.”
Hood told reporters on Thursday that he thought coach Lue would call on Jose Calderon in the closing minutes of Monday’s game. “Just let Jose play,” Hood told coach Lue in the moment.
There was a bit of speculation as to whether or not Hood should/would be fined for his decision. However, after meeting with Cavs general manager Koby Altman to explain himself (and apologize), no fines came to fruition for the former Duke Blue Devil.
“I should have known … because I didn’t play throughout the duration of the game that it was gonna look bad, but it wasn’t (as bad) as people was trying to make it,” Hood said. “Next time, I’m definitely going to go in. I apologized to T-Lue for any confusion and stuff like that but that’s all it was.”
Though they’ve only been teammates for a short while, Kevin Love defended Rodney during his media availability.
“Things like that happen in the course of a season,” Love said. “I mean, I’ve only known Rodney for a short period of time, but I know he’s a great guy. I know he’s here to win. Was that a great decision? Maybe not. But he came in today, said he’s all in and we believe him.
“That’s why we were able to laugh it off.”
Coach Lue expressed a similar point of view when asked about Hood.
“I’ve been a part of so much stuff, that wasn’t nothing, really. He apologized. It’s over. Now our focus is on the Celtics.”
With this saga in the rearview mirror, the Cavs can begin preparing for their Game 1 matchup against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, just as coach Lue suggested.