Fining Coaches for Complaining about Refs

[Banks2Pierce]

What are your thoughts on this?

I don't think it's fair to fine coaches for this. They are in mandatory post game conferences and still in the heat of the game and get fined for saying how they feel. I know it is a business and they have a right to do what they want, but I still think it's unfair.

Pros:
1. We can get some great/entertaining/clipworthy pressers from guys like Phil Jackson, SVG, and Doc.
2. Do we really want the NBA getting more money in these situations where their own employees (the refs) are at fault? Does this money go to good causes?
3. Keeping tabs on the refs. Doc made that comment about Perk's screen setting and he wasn't called for it once the next game. He called attention to it and everyone was looking for it to make sure the refs weren't singling Perk out.

Cons
1. The heat on refs will be worse than it is already.
2. Some coaches will be referred to as whiners.

[campybatman]

Stern and Stu Jackson just need to be fair, clear in their explanations and consistent whenever they make these decisions to fine an owner, head coach or player. I've to give them credit for fining that referee (Kennedy) who goaded Rivers. I took that as a small victory for fans and head coaches.

Over the last few years, the NBA office has chided reporters (this one included) about criticizing the league over "superstar calls." The league insists that no player is above the law and everyone is treated fairly. Well, time to prove it.

In case you missed it, in the first quarter of Orlando's 91-78 victory against Philadelphia in Game 5 (RECAP | BOX), Dwight Howard threw a hard, intentional elbow that clipped Samuel Dalembert's skull. Technically, it was an elbow. But it was really a punch, a punch Howard had complete control of and threw with 265 pounds of muscle behind it. Had Howard connected cleanly, he could have seriously injured Dalembert

The NBA prides itself on its ability to protect players and mete out quick punishments. Howard's infraction is a suspension-worthy offense. Heck, Howard even sounded resigned to being suspended after the game; his only defense was that the Magic "were trying to be a more physical team." Will the fact that it was a star of Howard's stature influence discipline czar Stu Jackson's decision to suspend him? Or will the NBA treat him like any other player? I'll say this: If Adonal Foyle were the culprit, he wouldn't be making the trip to Philadelphia for Game 6.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... ml?eref=T1

[Banks2Pierce]

Stern and Stu Jackson just need to be fair, clear in their explanations and consistent whenever they make these decisions to fine an owner, head coach or player. I've to give them credit for fining that referee (Kennedy) who goaded Rivers. I took that as a small victory for fans and head coaches.

But notice how they didn't disclose the amount of the fine, although I assume it was a lot since he is suing, I believe.

[campybatman]

Yeah, I know... But, I wasn't thinking that hard about that. Yes, it was curious... But, Stern and Jackson aren't going to disclose publicly information like that. Frankly, I don't really care... The fact that the league upset someone else other than a head coach or a player was satisfying enough to me. I mean Rivers won the fight in that he drew media and league attention to it. Anytime there's repercussions to a referee, just smile it take that. Because Stern and company will never throw anyone of them under the bus. When you complain, you're calling out the league in essence and that, of course, won't sit well with Stern.

My case in point.

Rivers was fined for saying referees are looking to call moving screens on Celtics center Kendrick Perkins.

''Clearly, every game he's been targeted for these moving screens,'' Rivers said. ''I mean, he gets them every game. Watching the tape, he did move in the direction, but there was zero contact on it. Brad Miller is flying around and laying guys out on screens and didn't get [charged with a foul] -- that bothers me. Perk does do it. That's what the officials do -- they look at tapes, and they look at tendencies. Perk does move on screens -- but so does the other team.''

The league also might have taken exception to both Boston newspapers running an item from an ''NBA source'' who pointed out that two of the referees who worked Game 4 at the United Center live in the Chicago area. The note said family members of the referees were seen leaving the UC wearing Bulls gear.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketba ... 29.article

[meatball sub]

When there are 20 year veteran refs consistently waiting to see whether a basket goes in or not and then deciding if they should blow their whistle, you know there is a serious problem.

As far as I'm concerned David Stern has brought this all on himself because he never took the Tim Donaghy scandal seriously. He pretty much just called him a liar and denied all allegations of other referees being involved as if the rest of them were saints. Questionable calls happen in a majority of NBA games, so I find it extremely hard to believe only one referee has deliberately affected the outcome of a game in the league's history. Until Stern decides to get serious on the issue (which he never will), he shouldn't complain about people openly questioning the integrity of the league's referees, or even bother fining coaches for doing so. As the commissioner, it's his responsibility to clean up the mess.

[chakdaddy]

Phil Jackson should get fined every time he opens his damned mouth.

He's like a spoiled kid who fails to get his way ONCE and won't shut up about it - and instead of a fine, he usually winds up getting his way and getting all the calls the next game.

[7seventynine9]

all the basketball fines go to charity, so yeah it goes to a good cause.

As for the other stuff, really no comment. The officiating sucks and the league knows it. They just dont want the coaches telling the fans what they already know.