NBA Fines Three Teams For Actions Regarding College Stars

NBA Fines Bobcats $15,000 For Jordan’s Comments Regarding Longhorns Star

The NBA fined three teams a total of $60,000 last week for public comments about Ohio State C Greg Oden and Texas F Kevin Durant or contacting their families while they still have college eligibility, according to Ian Thomsen of SI.com. The Celtics were fined $30,000 for Exec Dir of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge meeting with Durant’s family at a Big 12 tournament game on March 10. The Bobcats were fined $15,000 for comments made by Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan regarding Durant in an interview with the Charlotte Observer on March 14. The Warriors were fined $15,000 for 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” (SI.com, 3/16).

REAX: In Philadelphia, Tom Mahon writes, “The NBA does a lot of things right. But in these instances, it embarrassed itself big-time. ... Durant is a bona fide star. He hasn’t decided to enter the draft yet, but he surely doesn’t need Jordan to tell him he’s one of the nation’s most versatile players” (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/19).