Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>SI: 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.League rules prohibit teams from having any kind of communication with players who have remaining college eligibility."As a reminder,'' Buchanan wrote in his memo, "the prohibition against indirect contact includes, among other things, communications with a player's family members, representatives, or friends, and extends to any public comments made by team personnel regarding a player.''Ainge was seen sitting with Durant's mother at the Big 12 tournament. He was later quoted as saying that he was seated next to her by accident and that he had no control over his ticket location.But that argument holds no water with the NBA."We recognize that team personnel occasionally have unanticipated encounters with players or their representatives or family members at games or other events,'' Buchanan wrote. "Team personnel are of course permitted to exchange greetings with players or their representatives or family members in these circumstances to the extent required by social courtesy. However, team personnel should not initiate such exchanges and should take appropriate steps to ensure that the duration of any such exchanges is kept to a minimum.''</div> :thumbdn1:
Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant They have these rules for a reason. College basketball doesn't want NBA personal hanging around players or teams. It's just a distraction. NBA personal should stay out of it until a player has decided to enter the draft. It's a good rule in my book. The fines for mentioning players in an interview is a little puzzling...but not that big of a deal.
Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant I think the fine on MJ was dumb. Here's what he said<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Charlotte Observer: 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."</div>
Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant Maybe the MJ fine was dumb, but any contact by NBA personel is retarded. The rules are there for a reason and like BCB said just stay out of the players life completely until they decide to enter the NBA draft.
Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant All Nelson said is that he'd lean towards Oden if he had the number 1 pick so we could have two good bigs (Biedrins and Oden) but he'd take Durrant if he was going to be a superstar. BS
Re: MJ, Nelson, Ainge fined for talking about Oden & Durant I don't have much comments on what MJ and Nelson said. But it seems pretty dumb to get fined for what they think they will become if they make the NBA. Not like they insulted them or anything.
