Article Sprewell fined $25,000 NEW YORK (AP) -- Minnesota's Latrell Sprewell was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for cursing at New York Knicks chairman James Dolan and screaming at the team's bench during the Timberwolves' 98-92 win Tuesday night. The penalty was issued by NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson. Sprewell, who was traded to Minnesota and scored 31 points in his return to New York, turned to Dolan and unleashed a stream of curses after his 3-pointer gave Minnesota a 94-89 lead with 1:14 left. Referee Dan Crawford came over and warned Sprewell to stop during the ensuing timeout, but Sprewell kept it up anyway and directed his next rant at the Knicks' bench. The tirade earned him a technical foul. Sprewell began screaming at Dolan during the first quarter, the first expletive-filled harangue making Dolan blush. Sprewell turned and shouted at Dolan several more times during the course of the game. Dolan eventually smiled at the taunts. ``All the little games he's been playing this year, I let him do the talking earlier. I'm just glad I could do the talking now,'' Sprewell said after the game. In 1999, Sprewell was fined $10,000 for making profane remarks to fans during a Knicks' win at Golden State. That game was the first time Sprewell faced former coach P.J. Carlesimo, whom he choked as a member of the Warriors in December 1997. _________________________________________________________________ Man this is SO unfair to Spree. What about Dolan? He was "taunting" too. Why he not get fined too?
I saw Spreewell's antics on sportscenter, and I thought they were funny, while not needed. Fans are allowed to taunt, but players are supposed to remain professional. As fans we are not getting paid to be there (unless it's the WNBA Allstar Game ) The players are at work, and should act accordingly.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">I saw Spreewell's antics on sportscenter, and I thought they were funny, while not needed. Fans are allowed to taunt, but players are supposed to remain professional. As fans we are not getting paid to be there (unless it's the WNBA Allstar Game ) The players are at work, and should act accordingly.</div> Dolan isn't just a fan,he's an executive. Sprewell wasn't alone. It was going back and forth. Plus one could even go so far to say that Dolan taunted Spree in the media. If Mark Cuban is to be fined then every other executive should as well.
I think that Sprewell was out of line. He could have taunted Dolan, but not the fans and bench. They all cheered for him. As for the fine, it is a bit extreme since he was just responding to Dolan. However, it should have been more private. Dolan should be fined too though, since he had as much a part in the situation.
I believe Sprewells a person that doesn't care about his image in the nba towards anyone including fans and innocent bystanders that watch him blow up. I like that about a person. I believe he just wanted to handle his business and get that burden off his chest, besides he has better things to do; like making Sprewells for instance.
Fined was warranted... Spree probably felt it was worth it, probably doesnt care. He paid it and probably feels good for droping 31 on the Knicks.
As usual..somethin stupid. This reminds me of the $10,000 fine they gave Iverson for givin a fan the bird. *smh*
Sprewell had a great game, what was the need to taunt his former boss? Let your game do the talking, that would be the best way to show up Dolan. More than anything though, respect the game. Taking time during the game to exchange verbal insults with someone in the crowd is needless. I'm sure Dolan isn't without fault, but Latrell could have waited until after the game to vent his frustration.
Latrell wanted to stay in NYC, he loved it, the fans loved him, and his teammates loved playing with him, the only people that don't love Spree are the guy he choked and that Dolan guy so he just felt a need to not just prove to dolan that he shouldnt have traded Spree but to rub it in a bit.
Well, I guess that does count for something. Of course, being in California I don't have the same grasp for just how strongly the the fans of NY felt about Latrell. I don't have anything against him and I'm not saying that Dolan isn't a sorry owner, just that in my opinion Latrell could have handled the situation a little better. I thought he would play to the crowd a bit, and emotion is a big part of the game. But I didn't expect him to turn his back on a play with someone driving to the basket just in order to taunt the Knick bench. Maybe this is nothing more than a matter of individual opinion. I have mine, you have yours and Spree definitely has his. Honestly, this issue really isn't even an issue to me, just the controversial topic of the day. So either way, I'm satisfied to leave it at that. BTW - KG has my vote. Unstoppable.
