Sauce Gardner has the perfect NBA comparison for Eli Apple

New York Jets rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner gave the perfect NBA comparison to Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Eli Apple, who has gotten under the skin of the Buffalo Bills. 

When the Cincinnati Bengals win, cornerback Eli Apple sure lets the NFL world know about it. The team’s defensive back has been known to take to social media to gloat when the Bengals advance in the playoffs. He did so last year when Cincinnati beat the Kansas City Chiefs last year, and he did so once again when they defeated the Buffalo Bills 27-10 in the Divisional Round. Apple spent his time trolling the Bills, specifically wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner joined the discussion on Twitter, where he said Apple was “the Patrick Beverley of the NFL.”

Sauce Gardner calls Eli Apple ‘the Patrick Beverley of the NFL’

Beverley has been known to get on the nerves of his opponent. He notably did so with Russell Westbrook years before they became teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers, and with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. In fact, Beverley and Lillard exchanged words throughout the game, and Beverley mocked the guard’s “Dame Time” taunt.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1617380745617747968

Apple decided to troll the Bills after they convincingly beat them last weekend. The cornerback took aim at Diggs, who was visibly frustrated throughout the game. Apple called Diggs “Terrell Owens Jr.” Apple also commented on a video of the wide receiver yelling at quarterback Josh Allen, saying “someone get them in couples therapy.”

One tweet that caused an increase in criticism was his “Cancun on 3” tweet to Diggs, which contained the heart hand emoji. Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest in Week 17, used that hand gesture throughout his playing career, and those who saw Apple’s tweet thought he was mocking him. Apple sent out a message denying the claim, saying he had no intention to mock Hamlin in the tweet.

Diggs did respond to Apple, saying he was “clout chasing,” to which Apple replied with “safe travels to Cabo fam.” Apple also trolled Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson, who felt the cornerback was mocking the Hamlin situation.

Apple has become a polarizing figure in the NFL due in part to his gloating on and off the field, whether in the locker room or on Twitter. If Apple is to make a mistake in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, he will certainly hear it from his detractors, much like he did in Super Bowl 56 last year when he gave up the game-winning touchdown to Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp.