NBA Suspension Rules regarding Eddie Griffins arrest

I'm starting a new thread to quickly list NBA rules regarding Eddie's arrest, since many people asked questions re: this in the monster thread. This is for anyone who has stopped reading the big thread since it has turned into a Hangout type argument regarding mar1juana arrests.

Merge as you see fit.

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The CBA does not list all possible reasons for suspension. However, off-court arrests definitely require a conviction or guilty plea (include nolo contendere). Stuff like Felony Violence convictions have a mandatory 10-game suspension, but there is no other mention of off-court type convictions. So use that as your benchmark for a (presumably first time) misdemeanor moral interpritude conviction.

btw: this looks bad for Eddie if he really did have an arrest warrant for outstanding ticket, as that becomes of matter of course reason to arrest and search the vehicle.

As for league punishment, while teams can negotiate extra clauses in contracts, the only writing regarding non-violent, misdemeanor conduct found in the Uniform Player Agreement is under the "Conduct" and "Termination" parapraphs (Paragraph 5 and 16), and supportive writing in the NBA Constitution.

<b>In short,</b> there is no manditory language beyond the requirement of a conviction...arrest is obviously not enough. Very doubtful Eddie will go to court prior to the end of the Rockets season. Termination is the maximum penalty, but is subject to a grievance hearing, and precedence seems to indicate this would be a minor suspension and fine, at worst.

<b>Specific Language from the Uniform Player Contract--Paragraph 16, "Termination."</b>

Upon conviction, <b>the Rockets are actually within their rights to immediately Terminate the contract.</b>

<blockquote><hr>(a) The Team may terminate this Contract upon written notice to the Player if the Player shall:

(i)at any time, fail, refuse, or neglect to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship, to keep himself in first class physical condition, or to obey the Team’s training rules;<hr></blockquote>

And this is from the NBA Constitution

<blockquote><hr>MISCONDUCT

35. The provisions of this Article 35 shall govern all Players in the Association, hereinafter referred to as "Players."

(e) The Commissioner shall have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or to impose a fine not exceeding $35,000, or inflict both such suspension and fine upon any Player who, in his opinion, shall have been guilty of conduct [EDIT: convicted, plead guilty, or nolo contendere] that does not conform to standards of morality or fair play, that does not comply at all times with all federal, state, and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association. <hr></blockquote>

Again, while the NBA allows for teams to Terminate players for moral interpitude convictions, and the NBA Constitution allows the NBA Office to suspend indefinitely, there is little precedence for even a minor suspension.

 

sigh...I meant to write "moral terpitude"

 

Eddie won't go to court for awhile, so there can be no suspension until then. And there might not be any to begin with. The rules listed are really meant to punish felony violence or betting on games or changing the outcome. Repetitive Moral Terpitude issues probably would do you in, too...draft dodging, Pee Wee Herman, Marv Albert type stuff.

I'm betting that first time possession probably will not get a suspension. But the point of the thread is to say that NBA language does allow them to punish, desite the fact that the Drug Testing rules are different regarding suspension.

 

Mo Taylor was never arrested for possesion. His offense falls under the clearly defined rules of breaking the Drug Testing Program. Mo was on his 3rd failed piss test, which requires a mandatory 5-game suspense.

These two circumstances are not the same.

 

KeepJuaquin,

read carefully,

there can be no suspension without a conviction. He won't go to trial for awhile, so you have no worries this year, imo.