Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors will go down as a DNP-CD for Rodney Hood, but it appears to have been anything but a coach's decision.
After losing his usual spot in the Cavaliers' rotation in Game 4, Hood refused to enter the game in the fourth quarter, multiple sources told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd.
With the result of the game a formality, coach Tyronn Lue reportedly tried to sub Hood in, but the fourth-year wing refused the bench boss' order and balked at the pleas of teammates asking him to reconsider.
Hood has averaged just 5.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game through the playoffs, but even that modest output was on the wane through Games 1 to 3 against the Raptors, as the inconsistent swingman struggled at both ends of the floor.
The stunt certainly raised eyebrows across the organization. General manager Koby Altman intends to meet with Hood to hear his side of the issue, but the damage may have already been done in the Cavaliers' locker room.
"This is the playoffs. We’re trying to win a championship," an unnamed Cavaliers player told The Athletic about Hood's behavior. "This isn’t about you."
Scottie Pippen, eat your heart out.
