Stern Says He Asked Mark Cuban To Call Kenyon Martin's Mother
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Stern Wants To Look Into
Expanding Instant Replay |
NBA Commissioner David Stern Thursday said that he "asked Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to call Kenyon Martin's mother after their exchange" following Nuggets-Mavericks Western Conference Semifinal Game Three, according to Kristie Rieken of the AP. Stern spoke before Lakers-Rockets Western Conference Semifinal Game Six and "touched on a variety of subjects, but spent considerable time on Cuban's recent behavior." Stern: "I thought it was an attempt at an apology in the blog, which is the way Mark communicates. But [NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter] and I agreed that something more was called for and I called Mark and suggested he reach out, which I'm reliably informed he did." Stern indicated that he "considered the events serious," and added that he "takes full responsibility for the league not taking any action against Cuban." Stern: "I thought it was time to try to make cooler heads prevail and move to something else. Because this is a league that I think takes justifiable pride in its inclusiveness and diversity, and this was not something I felt particularly proud of." Meanwhile, Stern said that he "wants to look into expanding instant replay during the offseason," and that he is "disappointed that the NBA competition committee hasn't been 'bolder' on replay." Stern: "I think that as we have continued to take baby steps in this direction, we may be getting closer to a time when at end game, some kind of a challenge may be considered. I expect to be voted down 30 to nothing" (AP, 5/14). Stern said in aiming to improve instant replay, he would like "something at the end of a game where we let the fans know we're even trying harder to get it right" (Lakers-Rockets, ESPN, 5/14).
ACCUSATIONS & DENIALS: Nuggets coach George Karl Thursday said that "racial epithets were directed at his players" by American Airlines Center fans during the Nuggets-Mavericks series. Karl: "I felt it crossed the line. There was a racist mentality to it. There was a fighting mentality to it. It was to the point where blows I think could have happened. There wasn't enough security." Cuban said in an e-mail, "The mischaracterization of Mavs fans and the suggestion that there was a continuous racial or other type of onslaught by Mavs fans in the area toward the Nuggets bench and their fans is absolutely incorrect." Cuban noted that security reports indicated that a "bodyguard trying to 'proactively protect' friends and family members of Nuggets' players escalated tensions." Cuban: "The reaction by their players and others in the bench area to what was going on in the stands did not make the situation any easier for security people who were only trying to do their jobs" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/15). Stern, when asked about safety at NBA playoff games, said, "Everybody gets a little crazy this time of year but we have to continue to reevaluate to make sure there's not anymore stepping over the line ... and that's important to us" (Lakers-Rockets, 5/14).
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