ESPN's David Aldridge reported, with the recent rash of
player/ref incidents in the NBA, the league warned teams in its
annual post-season memo that any player contact with officials
will result in a multiple-game suspension. Aldridge said this
"doesn't necessarily mean" the suspension will be equal to or
more the seven games given to the Lakers' Nick Van Exel, "but the
league is keeping its options open" ("SportsCenter," 4/26).
COACHES CORNER: Relationships between players, coaches and
refs were a key theme of the first weekend of NBA playoff
coverage. Heat Coach Pat Riley, on the officiating during their
loss to the Bulls on Friday: "This whole thing should be about
equality, even though it's not. ...I'm not complaining, it's a
reality" ("NBA on NBC," 4/27). In an interview with NBC's Bob
Costas yesterday, Riley noted he never explicitly criticized the
officiating (NBC, 4/28). Sonics Coach George Karl, after his
team's win over the Kings on Friday: "They should have shot the
referees. No, no, no. I didn't say that, tell me I didn't say
that. ... I was just kidding, David and Rod. I promise you I was
just kidding" ("Inside the NBA," TNT, 4/26).
NEW TAMPERING RULES: NBC's Peter Vecsey reported the NBA
Board of Governors stiffened the league's tampering rule.
Previously, NBA Commissioner David Stern had the right to fine
teams as much as $1M and take away a first round pick in cases of
tampering. Vecsey said his sources say the rule has been
changed, so that now Stern can fine a team up to $5M and take
away multiple picks. Vecsey said the only dissenting vote on the
measure came from the Heat. But, later in yesterday's coverage,
Costas noted Heat denied voting against the measure ("NBA on
NBC," 4/28).
WOMEN'S DAY: The approval of the formation of the WNBA,
announced by the NBA last week, was examined by several media
writers over the weekend. In Atlanta, Ailene Voisin writes much
of the credit is due to the "persistence and passion" of Val
Ackerman, NBA VP/Business Affairs, who touted women's basketball
to Stern and Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik. Voisin notes the
"leading candidates" for franchises are Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Indianapolis, Portland, L.A., Dallas,
Seattle and Sacramento (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/28). In New
York, Shaun Powell writes Stern and the NBA "went out on a limb"
with their support of the WNBA. Powell: "Because chauvinistic,
beer-swilling, get-a-life men hold the economic clout, it's
difficult to imagine the masses buying a $20 ticket to see Sheryl
Swoopes go to the hoop" (NEWSDAY, 4/28). In Chicago, Melissa
Isaascson weighs potential attendance problems and whether fans
will be able to watch the women's game without comparing it to
the men's -- "where it will always fall short." But she adds,
"It's time to simply enjoy a sport whose time has long since come
... it may end up succeeding whether you like it or not" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 4/28).
HOOPS ADDENDA: The "trend" of players entering the league
early is profiled in Sunday's PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The logic
goes "with some much money to be made, the education can wait."
NBA spokesperson Chris Brienza: "What are we supposed to do? The
bottom line is that we can't prevent someone from earning a
living" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/28)...ESPN's David Aldridge
reported the NBA Board of Governors has reconsidered an old
proposal to set up a league-wide chartering service for all
teams. This comes as the chartering company for the Spurs and
Hawks went bankrupt this season ("SportsCenter," 4/26).
