“I wish (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver had fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball,” Perkins said of fining the Jazz $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 for “prioritizing draft position over winning.” “Let’s stop being nice and throwing out the word tank. No, it’s actually a pitching game. You’re trying to lose games. Think about that. In one of the best sports in the world, in a competitive sport, you’re teaching trying to lose games.”
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Tank: NBA fines Pacers $100,000 for sinking against Jazz on February 3
The NBA announced the fines under the Player Participation Policy on Thursday night, citing the Pacers’ game against the Jazz on Feb. 3, in which Pascal Siakam and other starters sat out the second straight game. The Jazz were fined for not playing Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter against Orlando on February 7 and Miami on February 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 related to this aspect of the policy:
“The league office (and the Independent Medical Officer as necessary) will (1) review medical information, (2) interview key team personnel and, if necessary, the player, and (3) consider the circumstances (e.g., player’s injury history, team 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 suffered more injuries early in the season. They lost 13 of their first 14 games and endured a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak. The Pacers were 9-9 in their last 18 games before the All-Star break and are 15-40, the fourth-worst record in the league.
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The three worst teams have a 52.1% chance of getting a top-four pick and a 14% chance of getting the number one pick, while the fourth-worst team has a 48.1% and 12.5% ​​chance. If the Pacers get the No. 5-9 pick, it will go to the Clippers in their trade for Ivica Zubac; Otherwise, the Pacers keep the pick this season and send an unprotected 2031 draft pick to Los Angeles in the deal.
“I totally disagree with every front office expert you want to talk to, there is no generational talent in this draft,” Perkins added. “Do they have some good franchise players? Absolutely. Is AJ Dybantsa a Victor (Wembanyama), a Cooper Flagg? Is he a (LeBron James)? Hell no. Are any of those guys taking things to that level? They’re a good starting point. I would have fined them more (expletive).”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared in Indianapolis Star: Pacers fined, ESPN Kendrick Perkins collapses