Two NBA rookies left the veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith in utter disbelief with a viral photo. Following the Sunday night match-up between the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors, rookies from either side, Gradey Dick and Anthony Black exchanged their jerseys post-game. In response to the absurd nature of the picture, A. Smith took to his X handle and dropped a quick reaction. He reposted the picture and wrote, “Good lord,” reacting to the rather strange, perhaps misguided, innuendo.

The Orlando franchise initially uploaded the picture on their official X handle and after a few moments, the post was taken down for an unknown reason. It could be that the suggestive nature of the picture escaped them as well. However, those few moments were enough for the picture to circulate.

For those of you confused about the deleted post by Orlando Magic’s official X account, here’s a clip of what was going on on the court at the moment:

Of course, a strong reaction was expected out of Stephen A. But he wasn’t the only one reacting to this moment. There were some other hilarious reactions coming out if the NBA Twitter fraternity. Some fans expressed their sheer disbelief at the jersey swap, saying, “No way”. While another fan reacted to the picture of the moment shared by @ComplexSports, expressing that the players knew exactly what they were doing, and another called it the best jersey swap. And then, there’s a segment of fans who found it an amusing moment in the NBA, and that it has the potential to significantly “contribute to today’s poular meme culture”. 

Gradey Dick-Anthony Black swapping jerseys raises eyebrows

It is highly likely that Gradey Dick and Anthony Black knew what they were doing. It was probably some inside joke they were planning. But at the same time, reactions coming into the Magic’s X account later deleting the picture did raise several eyebrows last night. Some ponder if the players get fined for the act. Well, since there isn’t any clarity on whether the players intentionally decided to click this picture as claimed by some fans or whether the absurdity is coincidental. The league may interfere in this affair and could slap fines on the rookies, but given that the picture has been deleted, it is yet to be seen how things pan out.

After the whole fiasco happened on the court, NBA podcaster and NBA X user, Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) reportedly stated that the rookies had discussed whether they’re going to follow through on the bit before it happened. Perez says, Gradey Dick said the words “f**k it” and continued with their “planned joke”.

Notably, several similar incidents have occurred in the past as well. During the Sixers’ 126-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers last season, the league fined the Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid a whopping $35,000 for showing obscene gestures on the court. In the twilight of the third quarter, the 2022-23 NBA MVP was fouled by Malcolm Brogdon. Having missed the free throw, Embiid chose to gesture obscenely toward Brogdon.

Previously, Stephen Curry was also penalized for throwing his mouthpiece into the crowd late in a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies the same season. What do you make of the viral picture? Let us know in the comments.

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