<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With March Madness upon us, the NBA is cracking down on loose-lipped team executives who can't help but talk about -- or to the families of -- Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, the likely top picks in this year's draft. According to a memo dispersed to all GMs and team counsel Friday by NBA general counsel Rick Buchanan, three teams were fined a total of $60,000: • The Boston Celtics were fined $30,000 as a result of contact that took place between executive director Danny Ainge and Durant's family members at a Big 12 tournament game on March 10. • The Charlotte Bobcats were fined $15,000 for public comments made by minority owner Michael Jordan regarding Durant in an interview posted on the Charlotte Observer's Web site on March 14. • The Golden State Warriors were fined $15,000 for public comments made by coach Don Nelson regarding Oden and Durant in an interview posted on SI.com on March 9. </div> Link Here's what Jordan said aboug Durant: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Versatility is important to Jordan, and it's something he feels his team lacks. He mentioned Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard as that type of player, and volunteered his curiosity about Texas freshman Kevin Durant. Jordan said "the kid in Texas" shows "all the right signs." "But it's still college and not the pros," Jordan cautioned of depending on the draft. "Physically, I don't know whether he can stand (up to) an 82-game season or the physical (nature of) our game." Jordan said he might investigate trading the Bobcats' first-round pick and the pick the Toronto Raptors owe them, if that acquires a veteran go-to scorer.</div> Link ^ How that deserves a fine is beyond my intellegence
I don't agree with any of them, but the Jordan fine is especially stupid. How can you punish him for giving an honest answer to an interviewer's question? Aside from following the Raptors, I've found college basketball much more entertaining than the NBA this season. They don't have any of this nonsense.
Why should someone be fined for giving an opinion on a potential draft choice? It's not like anyone has his rights. The Ainge one i can understand because it's within the rules, but Nelson and Jordan got a pretty raw deal.
I think the rule is that no executive can openly talk about a prospect who has not yet declared for the draft, as it could influence their future. I'd rather see these fines imposed than have another Leon Smith or Korleone Young story.
As long as they don't mention names specifically, how can the NBA know for sure who they are talking about? "Texas kid" could be anyone...
<div class="quote_poster">44Thrilla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who cares? The money means nothing to these guys, and the NBA has to enforce their own rules.</div> I'm sorry, but simply talking about a college player doesnt warrant a fine. Ainge, I can understand, the other 2 are just disgusting. Was the reporter fined for asking the question?
I hope someone uses the money to buy a barbed, gold-plated spear to shove up David Stern's ass. This guy used to be fairly cool, when and why did he turn into a Nazi?
<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sorry, but simply talking about a college player doesnt warrant a fine. </div> When there's been a rule in place for many years (probably since before Stern) that says "Team officials cannot comment on underclassmen", then yes, they deserve to be fined for talking about an underclassman.
<div class="quote_poster">44Thrilla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">When there's been a rule in place for many years (probably since before Stern) that says "Team officials cannot comment on underclassmen", then yes, they deserve to be fined for talking about an underclassman.</div> <font size=""4"">OWNED</font> Hang on a sec...
