Jordan and Ainge both fined for tampering with Kevin Durant…

[se7en]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-bobcats-jordanfined&prov=ap&type=lgns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The NBA fined Charlotte Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan $15,000 for discussing Texas freshman Kevin Durant during an interview last week.

Team coaches and executives are barred from talking about underclassmen who have yet to declare for the NBA draft. But in an interview with The Charlotte Observer last Tuesday, Jordan said he was interested in versatile players and added, "The kid who may present that is the kid in Texas. (He) may have that because he has all the right signs."

A Bobcats spokesman Tuesday confirmed the fine, which is at least the second in a week for an NBA team involving Durant, the 6-foot-10 forward who is expected to be the first or second overall pick if he declares for the draft.

The Boston Celtics were fined $30,000 after general manager Danny Ainge sat next to Durant's mother during the Big 12 tournament.

 

[abomb]

Not really tampering per se, but nice to see the hammer come down on them.

 

[phillycard]

This is ridiculous all around, but Jordan can't even speak on the kid? The NBA needs to just stop and get over itself.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

This is ridiculous all around, but Jordan can't even speak on the kid? The NBA needs to just stop and get over itself.

I agree. There was obvious tampering when Ainge sat next to Durant's mom.

Just talking about how a kid may be good in the NBA should not be considered tampering.

 

[Gaddabout]

I'm on the other side on this and agree with the NBA on Jordan. Durant coming out is not a given. He's apparently leaving it up to his parents. NBA employees and representatives should not be talking about them in public until they make a decision to come out.

If that wasn't a rule and I had a potential No. 1 pick, I'd be talking up every underclassmen in college ball in hopes of luring them out to improve the draft and strengthen my position so I could trade down for extra picks. That kind of stuff is not in the greater interest of the NBA, college basketball, or the player.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm on the other side on this and agree with the NBA on Jordan. Durant coming out is not a given. He's apparently leaving it up to his parents. NBA employees and representatives should not be talking about them in public until they make a decision to come out.

If that wasn't a rule and I had a potential No. 1 pick, I'd be talking up every underclassmen in college ball in hopes of luring them out to improve the draft and strengthen my position so I could trade down for extra picks. That kind of stuff is not in the greater interest of the NBA, college basketball, or the player.

Leave one of the biggest decisions of your life to your parents..... interesting.

 

[Gaddabout]

Leave one of the biggest decisions of your life to your parents..... interesting.

Immature? Yes. But not the worst decision. At least he's leaving it in he hands of people you can only assume have his best interest at heart and know the details of his life with great intimacy.

It's better than letting an agent decide, or hangers on, or be persuaded to go simply because you have in your mind you have to have a Saline S7 in a five-car garage right now.

If he were my kid I'd probably tell him to go because he'll never be more financially secure. But I'd have to heavily weigh that against how I think he'd respond with money. If he's not mature enough to handle it, I'd probably rather he risk injury than be given the keys to his own spiritual destruction.

I'd like to think most parents think on that grand level.

 

[elindholm]

There's something rather absurd about the NBA fining Jordan $15,000, since each made hundreds of millions of dollars off of the other. It's like two guys pulling off a major bank robbery, getting away with it and escaping to Mexico, and then arguing about whose turn it is to buy beer.

 

[abomb]

There's something rather absurd about the NBA fining Jordan $15,000, since each made hundreds of millions of dollars off of the other. It's like two guys pulling off a major bank robbery, getting away with it and escaping to Mexico, and then arguing about whose turn it is to buy beer.

They didnt fine Jordan the player, they fined Jordan the part-owner of the Bobs.

 

[elindholm]

They didnt fine Jordan the player, they fined Jordan the part-owner of the Bobs.

I think those two Jordans share a bank account.

 

[Gaddabout]

I think those two Jordans share a bank account.

As does the ex-wife, most Vegas casinos, probably half of Atlantic City, and a dozen or so scratch golfers who sucker Jordan into a bet on the golf course.

The only people that DON'T have access to Jordan's bank account are you and me.

 

[tobiazz]

Leave one of the biggest decisions of your life to your parents..... interesting.

Parents already get to call the shots on circumcision, that should be enough for life.

 

[elindholm]

As does the ex-wife, most Vegas casinos, probably half of Atlantic City, and a dozen or so scratch golfers who sucker Jordan into a bet on the golf course.

The only people that DON'T have access to Jordan's bank account are you and me.

Well, I'm not sure that you've effectively debated my point that the $15,000 fine is absurd.

 

[hcsilla]

There's something rather absurd about the NBA fining Jordan $15,000, since each made hundreds of millions of dollars off of the other. It's like two guys pulling off a major bank robbery, getting away with it and escaping to Mexico, and then arguing about whose turn it is to buy beer.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Parents already get to call the shots on circumcision, that should be enough for life.

3/5

 

[Gaddabout]

Well, I'm not sure that you've effectively debated my point that the $15,000 fine is absurd.

Who said I was debating? I'm looking for a scheming partner.