Sloan pushed referee Kirkland in first quarter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press NEW YORK -- Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was suspended for seven games by the NBA on Wednesday for shoving an official. Sloan and official Courtney Kirkland exchanged words face-to-face in the first quarter of the Jazz's 102-92 victory at Sacramento on Tuesday night. The coach argued that Kings guard Doug Christie stepped out of bounds on the sideline right near where Kirkland was standing. Sloan got down and put his hand on the spot where he thought Christie stepped out. Sloan then pushed Kirkland in the chest and was ejected. As Sloan was escorted away by arena security, he motioned for Kirkland to come toward him. "I couldn't understand him with all the noise, but I know it wasn't good," Kirkland said after Tuesday night's game. "I have sensitive ears." Several Jazz players criticized Kirkland for his reaction to Sloan. "Everybody wants to say what lines athletes and coaches shouldn't cross," Malone said. "You've got to have lines for officials, too." . Sloan was suspended one game and fined for pushing an official in 1993. "I'm always ready," said Utah's top assistant, Phil Johnson, who served two head coaching stints with the Kings' franchise. http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0129/1500912.html
Sloan must think he's one real big shot who has won squat. Nothing like the Stern gang to put him back in his place.
Why do players and coaches keep complaining about refs not respecting them enough? Not that I don't think there is room for any argument there but, with the way players and coaches behave towards refs during and after games, I wouldn't expect anything besides an adversarial relationship. As for the suspension, I think it is right. Seven games is a lot, especially considering a Rodman headbutt only got six. But, as a coach, Sloan needs to be held to a higher standard than the players. As a man in a position of authority and an example to his whole team and the league, he's the last guy you want to let by with a slap on the wrist.
