When Rodney Hood refused to enter the game during the fourth quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ blowout win over the Toronto Raptors, it ruffled a few feathers. Some of his teammates were upset, and many former players called out Hood for his decision.
NBA great Scottie Pippen appeared on The Jump on ESPN and he joined the list of former players that didn’t agree with the decision.
“Based on the way that [Hood’s] been playing throughout the playoffs in the last couple seasons,” said Pippen. “When you playing like garbage, you need garbage time.”
The former Jazz player really struggled to give the Cavs any sort of production. In the four-game series against the Raptors, Hood scored a total of two points in 39 minutes.
For Hood, it was a really bad look for a team that should be focused on their impressive sweep of the Toronto Raptors, and getting ready for their Eastern Conference Finals series.
Cavs General Manager Kolby Altman met with Hood on Tuesday morning. There were rumors that Hood might be suspended or fined, but after the meeting, it was reported neither of those would happen. According to Jeff Zillgit of USA Today Sports, Hood felt bad for being a distraction to the team.
The Cavs’ front office and Hood had a conversation Tuesday morning, and Hood feels badly for causing a distraction at a time when the focus should be on Cleveland’s sweep of the Raptors and spot in the conference finals.
This will be a story to watch going into the Eastern Conference Finals. Will the Cavs include him in the rotation, or has he already lost his spot?