LOS ANGELES – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined the Los Angeles Lakers in the amount of $50,000 over the team’s president, Magic Johnson, who lavishly praised the Milwaukee Bucks player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The said remarks made by Johnson was a violation of the league’s anti-tampering rule.
Johnson seemed to have put Anteotkounmpo on the pedestal after his interview with ESPN last week. He expressed his admiration for the 23-year old Milwaukee Bucks star. One of the praises he flew off was Anteotkuounmpo’s good understanding of the game. Johnson also commended the player’s basketball IQ.
Moreover, the LA Lakers’ president stated that the Milwaukee Bucks star really deserves to be where he is right now because of the hard work he put into every game. He also added that Anteotkuounmpo will put Milwaukee on the league’s map.
The flourishing remarks of the LA Lakers’ president have called the attention of the basketball league. The said comments really seemed vicious when looked into, hence the league’s cry to fine Johnson. This was not the first time the team has been accused of tampering. In August 2017, Johnson also raised a concern with the league over his wink-wink kind of comments about Paul George and his presiding team on the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ show.
The league’s anti-tampering rule is under Article 35A of the NBA Constitution. It explicates that any person affiliated to the basketball league should not be in any way – directly or indirectly – entice, persuade, or tempt influence to any coach, player, or another person in the league who is under contract to any NBA team for that matter. This kind of tampering may cause interference or influence decision of the person or team in subject.
After the $500,000 fine over the said tampering in August, Johnson and the LA Lakers are facing another $50,000 for this one. Since the focus of the league is the All-Star and the possible huge trade-offs of teams, remarks like Johnson’s could mean differently than just flattering or simply applauding.
Johnson seems to be a little unstoppable and uncareful when it comes to giving observations on his interviews, leading to swearing off certain league rules that eventually turns to issues and/or penalties of thousands of dollars.
After all, Anteotkuounmpo was delighted and he appreciated Johnson’s comments. He expressed gratitude to the praise he got from the Lakers’ team president. but he also told the public that he has to stay focused and make his NBA games better.
