Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports that Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Joel Freeland and former Blazers forward Luke Babbitt got into it during a practice back in March.
According to some onlookers, Babbitt was repeatedly fighting through screens using his elbows. After being struck a couple of times already, Freeland warned Babbitt in a not-so-friendly way that that would be his last elbow.
A play later, Babbitt did it again, resulting in a physical altercation. According to an eyewitness, a fired-up Freeland literally picked up Babbitt and threw him to the ground. The two eventually ended up on the floor exchanging blows before teammates intervened and separated them.
Freeland, 26, beat out second-year center Meyers Leonard for the reserve center position this season. He's averaging 3.2 points and 3.5 rebounds so far this season.
Babbitt, 24, signed with BC Nizhny Novgorod in Russia back in August. He's averaging 12.7 points and 3 rebounds in VTB United League play this season, according to EuroBasket.com.
Thanks to Roy Wonder in the FanShots.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter