Rockets Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy was fined $100,000 by NBA Commissioner David Stern for JVG's comments regarding NBA officials targeting Houston center Yao Ming. Stern also suggested he could end Van Gundy's career:
"If he's going to say things like that, he's not going to continue in this league," Stern said. "If the attitude reflected in those comments continues to be public, he's going to have a big problem with me as long as I'm commissioner."Normally that would be called a threat and result in a lawsuit. Stern, commissioner for 21 years, is widely regarded as the most effective top man in the four major US pro sports and such a lawsuit would probably go nowhere.
Van Gundy told reporters that he recently spoke with one of the 40 refs not working the playoffs. This referee indicated Director of Officials Ronnie Nunn issued a directive instructing officials to watch Yao closely. If what Van Gundy said was true, then he is on the prongs of a dilemma. Does he "rat out" his source as requested by Stern (and apparently, as compelled by league by-laws)? Or does he keep silent and invite suspension, additional fines or even banishment from the league?
Wonder if anyone's asked Nunn to comment about the alleged directive. No comment, right?
And will anyone actually do anything about the bad calls? For example, players stepping out of bounds and refs not seeing this (Dallas)...players slipping and opponents getting called for fouls (i.e. Carmelo and Duncan - his sixth foul in Game 4).
Stern was right to fine Van Gundy, but went overboard on the amount and with his comments. For some reason, Stern didn't see fit to "ban" Mavs owner Mark Cuban for anything Cuban said about officials - just fine, fine, fine. Double standard here, folks. But as long as Stern's in charge, it will stay that way.
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Update, 5/9/05:
From the NBA Front Office today:
NEW YORK, May 9 – NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik today issued the following statement in regard to Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy:
“Over this past weekend, Coach Van Gundy publicly apologized for his comments last week suggesting bias in the league’s refereeing relating to Yao Ming. He has also confirmed directly to an NBA representative that, during the Houston/Dallas playoff series, he did not have any communication with a referee (working or non-working) other than, of course, during an ongoing game. In fact, his only conversations with league employees during the series were with league personnel in the normal course. In light of these circumstances, we now consider the matter to be closed.”
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So, Van Gundy went the 3rd way ("I made it up"), apologized, and won't get a suspension. We think.
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