The Indianapolis Star reports that Shaq was upset that Steve Francis wasn't fined as much as he was for cursing on live TV. This guy is hilarious. http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/133160-6360-039.html
Shaq's right. There shouldn't be some arbitrary determination of how much cursing on live TV is too much.
What a whiner. Maybe if he devoted half as much time to crying about his punishment towards knowing when not to open his fat trap and let loose with a barrage of stupidity, he wouldn't get fined.
Shaq's right?! You've got to be kidding me. When Shaq threw an F-bomb, the reporter told him they were on live tv and then right after that Shaq threw another F-Bomb saying he doesn't give a F***. AND this was after a win!!! SF was grabbed after he was hit on the ground for 2 possession (he was hit in the nutts), and the reporter grabbed him in the heat of the moment. The Emotions took over SF for that min, after he said...BS he tried to avoid the reporter and go to the lockerroom where the reporter chased him down for more (though SF didn't cuss anymore), and SF appologized on tv for what he said......
Totally different situation. I cannot believe Shaq is whining on $275,000! He made that much for every of the 20 or so games he took rest this season!
The NBA's league office does often seem to have some inconsistencies in their fines for different players, but in this case you have Steve Francis who wrongfully cursed on national T.V. whether it was in the heat of the moment or not, but Francis came back from the locker room and expressed some regret. In Sahq's case, Shaq cursed on T.V., was warned by the reporter that they were on live, before continuing his tirade. Shaq showed little to no remorse later on as well so I can see where the NBA is coming from on this one.
1. Shaq didn't drop 2 F-bombs. He dropped an S-bomb at the 2nd opportunity. 2. Shaq was interviewed less than 10 secs after the game so it's not like he wasn't "caught up in the emotions either". 3. Shaq sent out a written apology for the incident the next morning. What the league office effectively did was to allow cursing on live TV as long as you do it only once and hastily apologize quick enough. At least that's what I think their reasoning is. Stu Jackson is so arbitrary in his rulings that it's impossible to know what the hell is going on in his mind. If cursing on live TV is wrong, then it shouldn't result in different penalties depending on some perceived severity of the words used.
What do you mean "allow"? Didn't Francis get fined?! When you are speeding on the highway, don't you get fined differently for 5 miles over speed limit than 20 miles over? Both are speeding.
Shaq shows his maturity and professionalism once again! Different situation anyway. The difference is less in the apology than it is in the fact that Francis cussed, knew it was wrong, and then quickly apologized. Shaq was warned it was wrong, ignored it, then did it again. It's the defiant repeat of the offense in the face of a warning that warrants the difference in $.
1. For Steve it was definitely more of a slip of tongue (walking away and apologizing afterwards) 2. Shaq was warned that he was live and he didn't care. In fact he sweared again after he was warned. 3. Francis did apologized immediately afterwards. 4. The Lakers won the game and Shaq still complains? 5. Stu Jackson would never, ever help Francis out, that's the sad sad truth. Seriously, does Shaq think Stu favors Francis over Shaq?
It isn't the NBA's job to police what is broadcast on TV. If the FCC wants to punish it, they can (and probably did). The fines leveled against players is an internal discipline which relates not to the protection of the viewing audience but to the protection of the public image of the league and protection from liability to agencies like the FCC. The idea that they could "allow cursing" is silly; it is up to the FCC to allow or disallow it. As for Shaq's apology, I'm sure it was actually his agent's apology and I'd be surprised if Shaq even read it before it was mailed, much less meant it. In that regard, there is a big difference between 10 minutes and a night.
Wasn't shaq's cursing on a local LA channel and wasnt Franciis on ESPN where the whole country heard it...Given the platforms SF# should have been fined more...But there is a discrepency which should be looked at
Good point. If its good enough for NYPD Blue it should be good enough for the NBA. Seriously though I agree that these situations are different. Francis said it and then quickly realized, before even the game was over, what he'd done and apologized in person on air. Shaq did it and then sent out a written apology only a day later and probably after he had time to hear from his agent and the NBA that he might get a hefty fine. Shaq might have a point that they are related and the size of his fine is so much greater but going around with a taped message on his back?! This is really immature and just shows how much of a big baby he is. If he thinks he's been wronged at least show some class and maturity about addressing it.
Making fun of Francis' apology is even more classless. The sad thing is, some Lakers fans and the LA media would actually agree with Shaq on this.
The league said it took it easy on Francis because he came out of the locker room and immediately apologized for his words & behavior.