NBA Players Fight and Argue

May 5, 2026, 22:19
USSports

Introduction

Some NBA players are fighting and arguing. Joel Embiid, Mikal Bridges, and Jaylen Brown are in these problems.

Main Body

Mikal Bridges hit Joel Embiid in the stomach. Embiid had a medical problem there. The New York Knicks won the game 137-98. Some people say Bridges was mean. Other people say Embiid is weak. Jaylen Brown is angry. His team, the Boston Celtics, lost to the 76ers. Brown says the referees are not fair. He says Embiid pretends to be hurt to trick the referees. Other players have different ideas. Danny Green agrees with Brown. Kendrick Perkins says the Celtics played bad basketball. Draymond Green says Embiid is not a great player yet because he does not win the final game.

Conclusion

People are still talking about how players act and if the referees are fair.

Learning

💡 The 'Opinion' Pattern

In this story, players don't just act; they think and say things. To reach A2, you need to express what you believe.

How to say it: Person →\rightarrow says/says that →\rightarrow Opinion

Examples from the text:

  • Brown →\rightarrow says →\rightarrow the referees are not fair.
  • Some people →\rightarrow say →\rightarrow Bridges was mean.

🛠️ Word Swap: Feeling vs. Action

Notice how these words describe the mood of the game:

The FeelingThe Result
Angry →\rightarrowLost the game
Mean →\rightarrowHit someone
Weak →\rightarrowPretends to be hurt

Quick Tip: Use "not" to change a positive idea into a negative one.

  • Fair →\rightarrow not fair
  • Great $\rightarrow not a great player

Vocabulary Learning

players (n.)
people who play a sport or game
Example:The players practiced for hours.
fight (v.)
to try to win or to argue with force
Example:They fight for the ball.
argue (v.)
to talk about something in a heated way
Example:They argue about the rules.
hit (v.)
to strike or touch someone with force
Example:He hit the ball hard.
stomach (n.)
the part of the body where food goes
Example:She felt pain in her stomach.
medical (adj.)
related to doctors or health
Example:He had a medical checkup.
problem (n.)
something that is difficult to solve
Example:They have a problem with the score.
team (n.)
a group of people who play together
Example:The team won the championship.
win (v.)
to succeed in a game
Example:They win the game.
mean (adj.)
unkind or cruel
Example:He is mean to his teammates.
weak (adj.)
not strong
Example:He feels weak after playing.
angry (adj.)
feeling strong annoyance
Example:She is angry about the loss.
lost (v.)
did not win
Example:The team lost the match.
referees (n.)
people who watch a game and make decisions
Example:The referees made a decision.
fair (adj.)
just and equal
Example:The referee was fair.
pretend (v.)
act as if something is true
Example:He pretends to be tired.
hurt (v.)
cause pain
Example:She hurt her ankle.
trick (v.)
to deceive or fool
Example:They tricked the opponent.
different (adj.)
not the same
Example:They have different ideas.
ideas (n.)
thoughts or plans
Example:They shared their ideas.
agree (v.)
have the same opinion
Example:They agree on the plan.
bad (adj.)
not good
Example:The game was bad.
basketball (n.)
a sport played with a ball and a hoop
Example:They play basketball.
great (adj.)
very good
Example:He is a great player.
final (adj.)
last or last part
Example:The final game was exciting.
talk (v.)
speak or have a conversation
Example:They talk about the game.
act (v.)
behave or do something
Example:Players act on the court.
game (n.)
a sport or contest
Example:The game was intense.