Poor Torrey Craig Is Out On The Floor Getting His Teeth Knocked Out Trying To Defend Giannis

Christian Petersen. Getty Images.

If there's one thing we have learned over the years, it's that guarding Giannis is not for the faint of heart. Not only is it very hard to do, but it takes a collective effort. As a defender, if you hope to stand a chance you essentially have to be willing to die given the physical abuse you're about to put your body through. If you aren't fully committed to the contact, not only are you just going to be called for a foul, you're probably going to get hurt. It usually takes a wall, annd if you can find yourself either some versatile defenders who can absorb the contact and stay in position or Al Horford, you have a fighting chance.

Torrey Craig found out just how tough that assignment can be with his matchup against Giannis tonight on the second night of a back to back for both teams. When it comes to contact, Craig has certainly had his fair share

That's a typical 50/50 Giannis play that unfortuantely for Torrey Craig, he's not getting that whistle over Giannis. You could make the case that he's not totally there and square with the drive, but you could also say Giannis is playing football. That's the type of bang/ bang play you're going to deal with all night long as Giannis' primary matchup. Sometimes you'll get the charge, most of the time Giannis is allowed to do what he wants and you're going to be on the wrong end of a call.

This also includes the time Giannis decided to knock Torrey Craig's teeth out

That cannot feel great. Not only in the moment, but that's going to suck for the foreseeable future I would imagine. That shit will probably throb all night in the event he's not able to go to a night time dentist or something. Even still, having to sit in that chair for dental work seems miserable. A real shitty situation all around considering you didn't even get the foul there either. Again, that was another bang/bang play where maybe Craig was fortunate they left it as a no call, the only downside is now he's out a tooth.

I'm sure he'll feel better if the Suns pull out this win, but you gotta feel for the guy that's just trying to play some defense. I commend his bravery.