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ESPN analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins blasted the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz after they were fined for tanking on NBA Today.
"I wish (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver had fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball," Perkins said of the Jazz being fined $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 for "prioritizing draft position over winning." "Let's stop being nice and throwing out the word tanking. No, it's actually throwing game. You're trying to throw games, to lose games. Think about that. In one of the best sports of the world, in a competitive sports, you're teaching to try to lose games."
Tanking: NBA fines Pacers $100,000 for tanking against Jazz on Feb. 3
The NBA announced the fines under the Player Participation Policy Thursday night, citing the Pacers game against the Jazz on Feb. 3, in which Pascal Siakam and other starters sat out the second game of a back-to-back. The Jazz were fined for not playing Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter against Orlando on Feb. 7 and Miami on Feb. 9. The Pacers lost to the Jazz, 131-22. The Jazz lost to Orlando but beat the Heat, 115-111.
The Pacers' violation appears to be in relation to this aspect of the policy:
"The league office (and the Independent Physician as necessary) will (1) review medical information, (2) interview key team personnel, and if necessary, the player, and (3) consider the circumstances of (e.g., player's injury history, team's schedule, standings, public comments, participation in other games, etc.)."
The Pacers lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season and then were hit with more injuries at the start of the season. They lost 13 of their first 14 games and endured a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak. The Pacers went 9-9 in the final 18 games before the All-Star break and are 15-40, the fourth-worst record in the league.
The worst three teams get a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick and 14% at the No. 1 selection, with the fourth worst team at 48.1% and 12.5%. If the Pacers get pick No. 5-9, it goes to the Clippers in their trade for Ivica Zubac; otherwise the Pacers keep the pick this season and send an unprotected 2031 draft choice to Los Angeles in the deal.
"I totally disagree with every front office expert you want to talk to, there is not a generational talent in this draft," Perkins added. "Do they have some good franchise guys? Absolutely. Is AJ Dybantsa a Victor (Wembanyama), a Cooper Flagg? Is he a (LeBron James)? Hell, no. Is any of those guys taking it to that level? They're a good starting point. I would have fined their (expletive) more."
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers fined, ESPN Kendrick Perkins blasts tanking
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"I wish (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver had fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball," Perkins said of the Jazz being fined $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 for "prioritizing draft position over winning." "Let's stop being nice and throwing out the word tanking. No, it's actually throwing game. You're trying to throw games, to lose games. Think about that. In one of the best sports of the world, in a competitive sports, you're teaching to try to lose games."
Tanking: NBA fines Pacers $100,000 for tanking against Jazz on Feb. 3
The NBA announced the fines under the Player Participation Policy Thursday night, citing the Pacers game against the Jazz on Feb. 3, in which Pascal Siakam and other starters sat out the second game of a back-to-back. The Jazz were fined for not playing Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter against Orlando on Feb. 7 and Miami on Feb. 9. The Pacers lost to the Jazz, 131-22. The Jazz lost to Orlando but beat the Heat, 115-111.
The Pacers' violation appears to be in relation to this aspect of the policy:
"The league office (and the Independent Physician as necessary) will (1) review medical information, (2) interview key team personnel, and if necessary, the player, and (3) consider the circumstances of (e.g., player's injury history, team's schedule, standings, public comments, participation in other games, etc.)."
The Pacers lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season and then were hit with more injuries at the start of the season. They lost 13 of their first 14 games and endured a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak. The Pacers went 9-9 in the final 18 games before the All-Star break and are 15-40, the fourth-worst record in the league.
The worst three teams get a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick and 14% at the No. 1 selection, with the fourth worst team at 48.1% and 12.5%. If the Pacers get pick No. 5-9, it goes to the Clippers in their trade for Ivica Zubac; otherwise the Pacers keep the pick this season and send an unprotected 2031 draft choice to Los Angeles in the deal.
"I totally disagree with every front office expert you want to talk to, there is not a generational talent in this draft," Perkins added. "Do they have some good franchise guys? Absolutely. Is AJ Dybantsa a Victor (Wembanyama), a Cooper Flagg? Is he a (LeBron James)? Hell, no. Is any of those guys taking it to that level? They're a good starting point. I would have fined their (expletive) more."
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers fined, ESPN Kendrick Perkins blasts tanking
Continue reading...
