OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson believes commissioner David Stern’s threat of harsher punishments for comments critical of NBA referees was a “heavy-handed” way to deal with what he called “gamesmanship” by coaches in the playoffs.
Stern issued a “make my day” warning to the league’s players and coaches while doling out a round of fines to players and coaches on the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics on Thursday. Jackson was previously fined for commenting about the fouls called against players guarding Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, who led the NBA in free throws this season.
Jackson said Friday that the threat of suspensions was heavy-handed because “that means a lot to both ballclubs and to coaches.”
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