NBA Fines Starting to Look Like NFL

The NBA needs to make sure we are talking about stars and not how
many technicals coaches like Stan Van Gundy receive.

Much has been made of the NFL and the hefty fines they levied on players like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison for dangerous hits to the head.  The number were unprecedented, with chunks of $50,000 being levied for single attacks on helpless players.

The NBA wants to get in the fining business too. 

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was fined $35,000 on Sunday and Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce was fined $15,000 for throwing an object into the stands.  Earlier this week, Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal was also fined $35,000 for criticizing officials. 

Somebody had a nice week of income.

I ask again, and it drives me crazy, when players are fined these absurd amounts of money, in any sport, where does the money go?

Either way, Van Gundy's fine was levied because he went off to reporters regarding the treatment of his star center Dwight Howard, who not only leads the league in powerful two-handed dunks, but also in technical fouls.

"They're [referees] looking for him, there's no question," Van Gundy told the media. "They make a call on him, they're looking to see his reaction. Other guys get away with stuff. He's not going to. He's going to have to accept that. They're looking for him. Every one of them. So that's the way it's going to be."


"Why he's been the guy to get all the technicals? I don't know," Van Gundy said. "Other guys get away with stuff. He yelled, 'Damn' after he missed a shot. I guess, 'damn' is a technical and 'bull----' is OK, based on what I saw tonight."

The NBA needs to be careful to make sure the play of star center Dwight Howard is the news story. 

We don't need to be talking about fines or technical fouls.

Related articles

• League fines Celtics' Pierce and Magic coach Van Gundy (canada.com)
• Dwight Howard had previously been warned about time at free throw line (sports.espn.go.com)
• VIDEO: Hedo Turkoglu Can't Melt Stan Van Gundy's Icy Heart (sbnation.com)
• Pierce fined $15,000 (boston.com)