Stern Defends Fine NBA Commissioner David Stern talked with Sporting News Radio host Jeff Rickard today. Stern discussed the fine handed down to Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy for criticizing referees. Below is an excerpt from the interview. Rickard: A lot of accusations without a lot to back them up. Is that the reason for the stiff fine? Why so much? Stern: He didn't imply, he said. He not only impugned the integrity of our officials in the league, but he purported to have specific information on that point. When asked, he declined to cooperate. Rickard: Behind the scenes, had he cooperated would there have been a full-scale investigation from your office? Stern: Oh, of course. We do that all the time for all of our teams when they raise issues with us. We're continually both evaluating our referees and dealing with questions that teams raise about particular calls, general calls, and the like. The integrity of our staff is an important issue for us and an important issue for the staff, so it's something we take very seriously. Rickard: He's certainly not the first coach to ever complain publicly about the officiating. Why twice the amount the previous record was set at? Stern: He didn't cooperate with the investigation. He said he had specific facts. You can't accuse somebody based upon, "I know that this thing occurred because I was told by a certain person." Okay, fine. "Tell us what you know. No." Okay. That's a kind of, ‘I have in my hands the names of three people who" … That's below the belt. You can't do that to our officials. Rickard: You also left open the possibility that there could be even more punishment coming his way. Stern: We're not finished with the investigation. Rickard: What could that mean? Stern: I can't even imagine, but that's just the way we want to leave it. Rickard: What are your thoughts on how the legal system dealt with what happened in Auburn Hills that night? Stern: I'm disappointed, with respect to the chair-throwing, if that's all that happened. Rickard: Two years probation (for the fan who threw the chair in Detroit during the Pistons-Pacers skirmish earlier this season). What would you have liked to see happen? Stern: I think that somebody who puts our players in danger like that should serve some time. Rickard: Any thoughts of ever reinstating (Pacers forward Ron Artest) for the postseason at all this year? Stern: I always have thoughts. Rickard: Any serious thoughts? Stern: He isn't being reinstated, so I'd leave it at that. The Jeff Rickard Show airs 12p-3p ET nationwide on Sporting News Radio.
Van Gundy stated that he had sent numerous tapes to the NBA and nothing had been done. We have seen numerous times with our own eyes how opposing players continually get away with two hand forearms to the back (especially smaller players like Brian Grant). That's illegal and teams continue to employ the tactic. The fact David Stern says everything is investigated is BS because the rules are never enforced. What's the point of complaining if you're never heard and nothing is ever done to rectify the situation. That's the bottom line. Yao gets no-calls for muggings inside and yet if he fights for position or moves an inch on a screen that's an offensive foul. The disparity is so blatantly obvious, Van Gundy had to take a stand. And if David Stern has to defend himself and the integrity of the league, great. Now every foul will be scrutinized and the ticky tack ones will be probably be left alone. No official wants the spotlight on him from the national media.
jeff might get in real trouble for this. good thing there is allways phil available. still, i hope jeff and the guys find a way to win a series or two this year to throw it in the leagues face. also i hope he comes through this w/o any suspensions or even being banned.
Now, talk about dictator, NBA is fugging professional association. Stern made it like Tony's mafia house. I dont get it. What JVG said was that a firend of his in the league that NBA started to look cloes on Yao's moving screen after Cuban complained about it. What's the fugging big deal hereC Mr. Stern. you can investigate JVG. But as fans of NBA, specificly Houton's fans, we are also fugging entitled to find out whether what JVG said was true or not. It aint going to be over, even if you hold your NBA crown like pope, you will have to satisfy us on several fronts here, Mr. Stern. Man, I am pissed.
Quick question here to posters in the law field If someone is fined by company or maybe lose its job by accusing its boss of something bad, what can that person do? Just suck it up?
I posted about this in the thread about him getting fined. Basically, I *think* that if he can back up everything that he said and alleged, and Stern still bans him, then that would make JVG a whistleblower to some extent. And whistleblowers are legally entitled to their jobs. I believe the trick is whether or not he can actually prove this. I'm not in law, but I took a human resource class last semester in which whistleblowing was discussed at length.
Even if JVG cannot back up what he says, I dont see how 100 large is not enough of punishment for what JVG said. And ban him??? Unbelievable. Again, I Stern needs to show that JVG's allegation is serious enough to warrant his termination of JVG's NBA coach career. I dont see it's happening. My advice to JVG, tight lip. Stern is a one trick phony. If JVG flicks, he is going to get hurt.
he sounds like a patronising @sshole. Van Gundy can't win, if he names names then the guy who let him know it was a fact will gett fired.
We all believe JVG here. However, the local Houston press has been quiet about the whole thing. Why is that? Foxsports is all over the Stern for this. Yet the local news people, shhh... Maybe Houston really doesn't deserve to have Rocks. Make some noise, people. Give them hell.
Seriously how can Stern treat JVG like this? He should want to have good relationships with the Rockets organization..since we're making so much money for him... IDIOT STERN look at the polls you are not favored. NOBODY is backing you Even Mavs fans know the refs screwed us over badly buddy
Mrs. Stern. NBA is like a cult. It's like OPEC and diamond business. These fat cats are hard to deal with.
