Marking the largest fine ever given to a coach by the NBA, Jeff Van Gundy was hit hard with a $100,000 fine for his comments to the media about NBA officiating. The Houston Rockets’ coach said to the associated press that a referee in the NBA playoffs said that they were targeting Yao Ming because of complaints made by Mark Cuban to the NBA head offices. He did not identify the official that gave him the information and the league reacted quickly by taking disciplinary actions, even going as far as to threaten Van Gundy with a life-time ban from coaching in the NBA.

Papabear wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:With all the talk about Wadegate and possibility that the "Decision" was preordained years ago, Gilbert is fined $100,000 by the NBA for his letter.

Jul 12, 2010 8:02 PM EST

The NBA has fined Dan Gilbert $100,000 for his open letter last Thursday in wake of LeBron James signing with the Heat.

Gilbert issued an emotional and controversial letter expressing his frustration with James leaving Cleveland.

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68091/20100712/gilbert_to_receive_$100k_fine_from_nba_for_letter/#ixzz0tWAAOC19

Via Brian Windhorst/Cleveland Plain-Dealer (via Twitter)

Good to see the NBA acting in the best interests of its own pockets.It would seem that they are not concerned that Miami stripped its team down to 2 players (one since gone) on the "chance" that they could land their free agent dream team.

Papabear Says

Dan Gilbert told the truth. LeBron, Wade, and Bosh planned this. What if other players started doing this? It could put the NBA in jepordy. We really should have the sky is the limit in which a team could pay a player.

in all fairness to the players, thats what makes them a FA... the ability to sign where they can (and get an offer). if they wanna team up, and take a pay cut, how can you stop it? im sure the owners are gonna try and come up with something in the negotiations and whatever it is **should** fail. it should be more concern all the clowns getting silly contracts from the very owners who are already crying poverty or will during the cba work.

on the bold -- doesnt that imply no sal cap? wouldnt that encourage more "super" teams?

sidsanders wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:If you can have an entire hour show on, The Decision, the guy that paid you millions should be able to write a reaction letter. Gilbert probably should have given it a day before he reacted but fining him 100,000 seems extreme.

He went too far and I'm sure the part about slandering him and accusing him of quitting in the playoffs must have pissed off everyone in the league office. I can't think of any owner in the history of sports to publicly display in writing what Gilbert said about a free agent. Remember Gilbert could have remove his organization from this circus atmosphere at any point by just stating we aren't pursuing Lebron James and will be going in another direction. He rolled the dice and banked on past loyalties of a draft pick. If the Mariners were able to keep their heads up and say no thanks to A-Rod, the Cavs could have mustered similar pride if they felt they deserved it. The fining is expected to tell you the truth.

ya... if he "hated" lbj so much, he shoulda never tried to keep him or stay silent if he was so "bad". thats what lost me on the letter. dude came across as a fraud. dolan/knicks coulda come out swining for the fences too. same for any team that ever misses out on a big time player or loses one.

it was definitely stepping over the line, but who cares? that was the single most awesome reeming out of a player i've ever read in all the years i've been following sports... that email is already legendary.

sidsanders wrote:

TMS wrote:

sidsanders wrote:

Pharzeone wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:If you can have an entire hour show on, The Decision, the guy that paid you millions should be able to write a reaction letter. Gilbert probably should have given it a day before he reacted but fining him 100,000 seems extreme.

He went too far and I'm sure the part about slandering him and accusing him of quitting in the playoffs must have pissed off everyone in the league office. I can't think of any owner in the history of sports to publicly display in writing what Gilbert said about a free agent. Remember Gilbert could have remove his organization from this circus atmosphere at any point by just stating we aren't pursuing Lebron James and will be going in another direction. He rolled the dice and banked on past loyalties of a draft pick. If the Mariners were able to keep their heads up and say no thanks to A-Rod, the Cavs could have mustered similar pride if they felt they deserved it. The fining is expected to tell you the truth.

ya... if he "hated" lbj so much, he shoulda never tried to keep him or stay silent if he was so "bad". thats what lost me on the letter. dude came across as a fraud. dolan/knicks coulda come out swining for the fences too. same for any team that ever misses out on a big time player or loses one.

it was definitely stepping over the line, but who cares? that was the single most awesome reeming out of a player i've ever read in all the years i've been following sports... that email is already legendary.

it reeks of being a spoiled kid and an untrustworthy type of guy. dude who smiles at ya when you are there and then the second you are gone talks trash. i suspect many people, not just owners are like this, however he only confirmed it. i would expect fans to do that, however as an owner, there has to be some areas he has to shy away from to prevent further harm to his team. some of his complaints occurred cuz he allowed it and fully participated in it.

this guy has never been known as 1 of the more respectable owners anyway... he was an enabler & created a monster in Lebron that came back & bit him in the ass... but speaking as an angry Knicks fan, i thought that letter was a masterpiece.