Yahoo Sports national basketball columnist Adrian Wojnarowski today teased the planned January debut of The Vertical, a basketball-centric site he will lead. The Vertical Podcast debuted today with an extended interview with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussing the recent suspension of Kings G Rajon Rondo for gay slurs made to referee Bill Kennedy. Wojnarowski has also made several additional hires to build out his editorial team for The Vertical, including former Nets Assistant GM Bobby Marks, NiceKicks.com Creative Dir Nick DePaula, DraftExpress.com President Jonathan Givony and Video Scout Mike Schmitz, longtime NBA trainer Tim Grover, and former NBAer Brian Scalabrine. The hires add to previously announced additions of Shams Charania and Michael Lee (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
EXPLAINING RONDO SUSPENSION: Silver in today's podcast explained why the league took around a week to make its "ultimate decision" regarding Rondo's one-game suspension, noting there was a "lot of information to look at.” As the “ultimate authority,” Silver takes the NBA's version of due process for players, coaches and anyone else connected with the league “extraordinarily seriously.” He said, "I’ve read the commentary from some who’ve suggested one game wasn’t enough because in fact we should have an example out of Rondo. My direct response to that is I don’t think we should be making an example out of anyone. That’s why players’ associations exist, as a check on authority of leagues. I think we should all resist the urge to make examples out of people. Part of the discipline for Rondo and a circumstance like this is in the court of public opinion.” With Kennedy announcing he is in fact a gay man, Silver said he “sees it as very much my job to be incredibly protective of him, just like I would be of any other employee of the NBA." Silver: "He is entitled to work in a safe environment. ... The fact that this language now has become public makes it absolutely clear to the community of players, coaches and everyone else involved in the NBA that there’s an absolute bright line coming from the league office on the use of that kind of language" ("The Vertical Podcast with Woj," SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/16).
