Who Caused The Bite Of 87

The Bite of 87 is one of the most debated mysteries in the world of sports. This infamous event, which occurred during a 1987 exhibition basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz, is best remembered for one player’s physical altercation with another that resulted in a chunk of the latter’s finger being bitten off by the former.

The players at the center of the Bite of 87 incident were Philadelphia’s guard, Maurice Cheeks, and Utah’s center, Karl Malone. Cheeks, who was known for his intense play on the court, had earned a reputation of being one of the toughest competitors in the NBA. Malone, on the other hand, had an impressive career as a power player and was considered one of the top centers in the league.

With tensions mounting, a hard foul was called on Malone, and he proceeded to respond aggressively. As Cheeks was trying to defuse the situation, Malone pushed him away, causing Cheeks to use a defensive move which resulted in Malone’s finger being bitten off. It was afterwards reported that the bite was caused by Cheeks, who, after being asked by television reporters, replied, "Yes, I bit him."

Since the incident, numerous explanations and theories have been put forward as to who truly caused the Bite of 87. Some believe Cheeks was indeed the responsible party, while others argue that Malone’s hostile reaction may have been the true factor in setting off the volatile situation.

No matter the truth of the matter, it remains one of the most iconic sports moments, and an event which continues to spark debate among fans.