NBA commissioner Adam Silver sends message to tanking groups

Whereas $600,000 in fines had been handed out to tanking groups in a single week alone, NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league may impose further penalties, as much as and together with the forfeiture of the groups’ draft picks

Nothing is worse than a sore loser, besides possibly an intentional one.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed quite a few matters going through the league at his annual All-Star Weekend press convention on Saturday, February 14 (Sunday, February 15, Manila time), and the largest of them at the moment surrounds groups tanking for higher draft picks.

The Utah Jazz had been simply fined $500,000 for limiting the courtroom time of two of its greatest gamers, whereas the Indiana Pacers had been docked $100,000 for roster manipulation that stored three starters from a latest sport.

Silver just isn’t unaware of the the explanation why groups would like to lose throughout a season that has already gone sideways. However he isn’t shy about mentioning that their blatant method is an eyesore.

“Are we seeing habits that’s worse this 12 months than we’ve seen in latest reminiscence? Sure, is my view,” Silver mentioned earlier than All-Star Saturday festivities. “Which was what led to these fines, and never simply these fines however to my assertion that we’re going to be wanting extra intently on the totality of all of the circumstances this season by way of groups’ habits, and really deliberately wished groups to be on discover.”

It’s the integrity of the sport that Silver says offers him essentially the most pause.

Whereas $600,000 in fines had been handed out this week alone, Silver says the league may impose further penalties, as much as and together with the forfeiture of the groups’ draft picks.

“I feel we’re coming at it in two methods,” Silver mentioned. “One is, once more, specializing in the right here and now, the habits we’re seeing from our groups and doing no matter we will to remind them of what their obligation is to the followers and to their accomplice groups. However No. 2 … the competitors committee began earlier this 12 months re-examining the entire method to how the draft lottery works.”

Whereas Silver additionally addressed NBA enlargement, he mentioned extra particulars might be identified subsequent month. The WNBA’s labor strife was framed as a extra urgent situation, with the commissioner hopeful that the upcoming season will spur a willingness to achieve a deal.

“I’m not able to set a drop-dead date, however I’ll say, as I take a look at the calendar and the quantity that we have to get executed actually over the following two months, as a result of coaching camps are scheduled to open roughly two months from now,” Silver mentioned.

“… I’m inspired there was extra backwards and forwards over the previous few weeks. I feel there’s been extra direct engagement from gamers and staff homeowners. I’ve not been on the desk, however I’m very concerned behind the scenes.”

Las Vegas and Seattle have been rumored to be subsequent in line for NBA enlargement groups, with Silver neither confirming nor denying curiosity in both metropolis. He did say the NBA just isn’t contemplating relocating any of its groups right now.

“My sense is on the March board of governors conferences we’ll be having additional discussions round an enlargement course of,” Silver mentioned. “We received’t be voting on the March assembly, however we’ll probably come out of these conferences prepared, ready to take a subsequent step by way of probably speaking to events.” – Rappler.com