<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW YORK -- Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy backed off from comments that a referee told him Rockets center Yao Ming was being targeted by officials in the first round of the playoffs, the NBA said Monday. The league said in a statement that it considered the matter closed. Van Gundy was fined $100,000 -- the largest ever for a coach -- after saying that a referee who was not working the playoffs told him that Yao was being targeted by officials following complaints by Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Houston's first-round opponent. Van Gundy subsequently apologized publicly for the comments. "[Van Gundy] has also confirmed directly to an NBA representative that, during the Houston/Dallas playoff series, he did not have any communication with a referee [working or non-working] other than, of course, during an ongoing game," NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said. "In fact, his only conversations with league employees during the series were with league personnel in the normal course. "In light of these circumstances, we now consider the matter to be closed."</div> Source Come on Jeff fight the good fight against Stern on this issue. Now Van Gundy just comes off as a liar to everyone.
Eh, everybody knew he was just going to say he made it up. It was the easiest way out of that problem. We're still with you Jeff!! We know The Man got you down!! Keep ya head up!! Viva La Revolucion!!
At least the whole thing is over, not good of Van Gundy to end the season on a bad note. But what coaches and players don`t really realize that as much as they argue with the NBA and get fined etc. they can never win their side of the arguement. Not a good thing for Van Gundy to have the highest fine ever fined to a coach either.
eh I think JVG shouldve stood up for what he said, although I do realize his job was at stake..but what he said was legit and had truth...Its a shame Stern thinks his league does no wrong...but I stand behind JVG for what hes said...
JVG was tottally right in what he said, but he also has to make sure he can continue to coach in this league, so imo he was right about the officials and he was right in backing off, because you have to protect yourself, stern is a weiner.
