Some press conferences are more awkward than others.<\/p>\n
After Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Indianapolis star columnist Gregg Doyel had an uncomfortable interaction with Pacers\u2019 forward Pascal Siakam.<\/p>\n
The interaction was prompted by Siakam saying the Knicks<\/a> \u201cplayed harder\u201d in their 111-94 victory at Madison Square Garden that forced a Game 6 Saturday night in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a transcript via Awful Announcing<\/a>:<\/p>\n Doyel: \u201cHow is that possible?\u201d<\/p>\n Siakam: \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Doyel: \u201cHow is it possible to not play hard enough in Game 5?\u201d<\/p>\n Siakam: \u201cWhat are you talking about? They played harder than us. It\u2019s OK. We played hard. They played harder. What\u2019s your point? I don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n Doyel: \u201cMy point is you\u2019re saying you guys got outfought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Siakam: \u201cThat happens in a game, though. That\u2019s basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n Doyel: \u201cIn Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs?\u201d<\/p>\n Siakam: \u201cYou good? You good, bro? You\u2019re looking for something I know, but damn. No, no, but I\u2019m telling you, though. I told you. What else you want me to tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n Doyel: \u201cI want you to tell me how. That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking.\u201d<\/p>\n Doyel, you may recall, was suspended by his paper for two weeks last year after an awkward interaction with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark<\/a> \u2014 and another with then-Fever coach Christie Sides.<\/p>\n In fairness to Doyel, Siakam could have answered the question differently.<\/p>\n For example, when the Knicks were blown out by the Celtics in Game 3 after leading 2-0, New York star Jalen Brunson took responsibility and said his team was \u201csubconsciously satisifed being up 2-0.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.<\/p>\n Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria <\/a>and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n