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Jackson in line for fine?

February 25th, 2008, 3:41 pm · 2 Comments · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

By CURTIS ZUPKE

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - Given the hard stance the NBA takes regarding coaches and players commenting on its officials, Coach Phil Jackson will probably be called into the principal’s office soon.

Jackson delivered another of his patented barbs Sunday when he called into question the integrity of referee Brian Forte, who ejected Kobe Bryant in the third quarter against Seattle.

Either Jackson genuinely didn’t think he was out of bounds or was being sarcastic Monday when asked if he thought any fines would come out of it.

“I can’t imagine why,” he said. “Why would the NBA fine anybody?”

After Sunday’s game, Jackson pointed out that Forte, a first-year referee, was the son of longtime NBA referee Joe Forte and implied that was the reason he had a job.

“I told him (Bryant) he shouldn’t jump on ‘Junior; his dad might carry a grudge against you,” Jackson said after the game. “But that’s nepotism in our league. That’s Forte’s son.”

Assuming Jackson does get fined, it would be his third such violation in less than three years.

Jackson and the Lakers were fined $50,000 apiece in March of 2007 after Jackson said the league was conducting a “witch hunt” against Bryant, who had received a pair of one-game suspensions for striking players on the follow through of his shot. In November of 2006, Jackson was fined $25,000 for criticizing the officials for a perceived treatment of center Andrew Bynum after a game against Utah.

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Posted in: 2007-08 • Phil Jackson • Practice notes |

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2 Responses to “Jackson in line for fine?”

  1. Peter Says:
    February 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am

    Reason # 126 to enjoy the Lakers returning to the top-PJ in full cocksure mode handing out insults as only he can. I love it! And the “barbs” will only get sharper and more sarcastic when we reach the playoffs-I can’t wait.

  2. LakerSince72 Says:
    February 26th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    Bravo for Jackson coming to Kobe’s defense. As a long time NBA fan, I’ve resented David Stern and Stu Jackson’s mock-facist response to criticism toward the refs/league by coaches. I understand a need to protect the leagues refs, but who will protect the leagues players from the refs biases? How can there be any improvement of the quality of calls when league officials refuse to acknowledge shortfalls and they squelch any hint at criticism? Where is the balance Dave and Stu?
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