TITLE: Rick Carlisle Criticizes NBA Over $100K Fine Levied Against Pacers
SLUG: rick-carlisle-criticizes-nba-fine-pacers
CONTENT:
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle publicly challenged the NBA’s $100,000 fine issued to the franchise for resting players during a Feb. 3 game against the Utah Jazz.
Speaking Tuesday on 107.5 The Fan with hosts Kevin Bowen and James Boyd, Carlisle said he “didn’t agree” with the league’s ruling, which claimed Indiana violated the NBA’s player participation policy by holding out Pascal Siakam and two other players.
“There was a league lawyer that unilaterally decided Aaron Nesmith, who had been injured the night before and couldn’t hold the ball, should have played,” Carlisle told the station. He added that league investigators declined to speak with the Pacers’ medical staff or Nesmith during their review.
The NBA announced the fine shortly before the All-Star break, stating that an independent physician determined Siakam, Nesmith (left hand strain) and Andrew Nembhard (low back injury management) were healthy enough to appear, even in limited roles. Siakam, categorized as a “star” under the policy, was cited by name in the league’s statement; Nesmith and Nembhard were not.
Carlisle said the league also asked whether the team had considered medicating Nesmith so he could play in a season where Indiana was “30 games under .500,” a suggestion the coach called “shocking.”
Indiana’s penalty was smaller than the $500,000 fine given to Utah on the same day for similar infractions. Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement at the time asserted that both organizations appeared to be prioritizing draft position over competing to win.
The Pacers have not indicated whether they will pursue any further action regarding the ruling.
Source: Hoops Rumors
