Jackson fined $35,000 again by the NBA
Lakers Coach Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for the second time in as many weeks for criticizing officials, the NBA announced Thursday.
Jackson was fined for saying that Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant gets to the free-throw line with ease.
"Yeah, by the calls he gets, he really gets to the line a lot, I'll tell ya," Jackson said Tuesday. "There's a couple times in the last game where I was pretty curious how he got there."
Durant averaged 10.2 free-throws a game this season, tying Cleveland forward LeBron James for most in the NBA.
Jackson's words were an early attempt at playing mind games with the referees, if not Durant, in the Lakers' upcoming first-round playoff series against the Thunder. Durant responded by saying Jackson was being "disrespectful" by saying he got to the line so easily.
Jackson was fined another $35,000 on April 5 for criticizing referee Bennett Salvatore after the Lakers' 108-101 victory against San Antonio. Jackson thought Kobe Bryant was hit unnecessarily with a technical foul in that game and said that "With Bennett, you never know what you're going to get."
-- Mike Bresnahan
WTF Over!
Is it me or has the league become paranoid of every comment that comes out of a coach's mouth. How is saying Durant "gets to the line an awful lot" a criticism of the refs? Like the public can't see these things for themselves? So, I guess there is no justice in the NBA. Coaches and players get fined for comments but refs don't get fined for costing teams games.
JR
Posted by: Jolly Rancher | April 15, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Utzworld,
Godspeed and blessings.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 15, 2010 at 04:32 PM
all said, how is artest going to guard durant? big problem there. who needs momentum when lakers all said they can't wait for the playoffs. go lakers!
Posted by: apujac | April 15, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Utzworld,
Via con Dios
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 15, 2010 at 05:25 PM
lo siento. vaya con dios
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 15, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Utzworld is leaving us? Nooo, say it ain't so man! Bro, you are one of the reasons I have been reading this blog so faithfully. May God bless you and I will be praying that all of your dreams do come true!!!
Posted by: Troy B | April 15, 2010 at 05:36 PM
I think that is too weak a penalty. Jackson is attempting to alter the games outcome by suggesting to the refs that they should avoid calling fouls. I see that as disrupting the integrity of the game, and I would indefintely suspend Jackson without pay for the rest of the playoffs. Jackson should thank the league for just fining him 35K. We can see that Jackson does not have much confidence in the Lakers getting past the first round.
Posted by: VJ | April 15, 2010 at 06:14 PM
One Times writer wrote last week "Take Shaq from the Lakers and you still have the Lakers." What a short memory, the year Shaq left to Miami, they came to LA on Christmas day and beat the Lakers, and the next year he led Miami to a championship. When Kobe was out for a few games the rest of the team won 2 of 3 games by double digits. With Vu out for the playoffs, I think Jackson is wondering how they are going to get by the first round. I don't think his comment is even a thought in Durants mind. Go Oklahoma.
Posted by: Art | April 15, 2010 at 06:52 PM
Thats just ridiculous. He didnt say anything against the refs, and besides what he said was true, he is not the first to publicly mention how many times Durant gets to the free throw line. Either way, the playoffs are a whole different story. Durant is about to get schooled by Kobe. LETS GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Lilly | April 15, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Utz, all the best to you and your family. I hope your daughter is now doing well. Family does come first.
Once a Lakerholic will always be a Lakerholic. We look forward to you coming back.
GOD bless!
Posted by: Jeanette | April 15, 2010 at 07:26 PM
Even though there are others in the league (KG) that think Durant is getting to the line, Phil Jackson is a repeat offender commenting about refs. Also, not even one game has been played in the series yet. KG was talking right after the game, which I find acceptable, but still finable. Jackson always feels his teams need an additional 3 guys to beat any squad. It seems like whenever a team plays the Lakers, they are outnumbered 5 to 8. But it looks like this year, no matter how many refs you add to the Lakers squad, they will be beat.
Posted by: VJ | April 15, 2010 at 07:46 PM
Utzworld,
I am so sorry that you are leaving us, but you will never leave Laker Nation.
May God bless you in all that you do.
You will be missed, but never forgotten and always cherished.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
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