Stern goes Clint Eastwood on the NBA


Star Tribune
The league handed out fines of $35,000 apiece on Thursday to Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Orlando forward Matt Barnes for publicly criticizing officials. A week earlier, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for suggesting that Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant received preferential treatment from NBA referees.

"So, our coaches should be quiet because this is a good business that makes them good livings and supports a lot of families," Stern said. "And if they don't like it, they should go get a job someplace else. I don't mean to be too subtle."

Stern said he regrets not coming down harder earlier on those who griped about officiating."I wish I had it to do all over again," he said. "Starting 20 years ago I'd be suspending Phil and (former Lakers and Miami Heat coach) Pat Riley for all the games they play in the media. You guys know that our referees go out there and knock themselves out and do the best job that they can, but we've got coaches who will do whatever it takes to try to work them publicly.

"If I had to do it again … the price wouldn't be a modest $35,000 fine. It would be whatever a day's pay is and then two day's pay and then a week's pay. And if someone wants to try me in the rest of this playoffs, make my day.
So Ron Artest got a year's suspension and was the fall guy for the NBA's supposed image problem. Then Gilbert Arenas was the fall guy for the league's gun problem (players have speculated that 50% of the league carry to and from the locker room). I could totally see Rasheed ending up being the guy who gets suspended for the rest of the playoffs if he keeps up the truth telling criticisms of NBA officiating. Can you think of a better mark for Stern? Would be the perfect ending to Rasheed's craptastic season too.