Why is the NBA allowed to fine Phil Jackson $ 500,000 for voicing his opinion about a perceived "witch hunt" directed at Kobe Bryant? It seems that this would violate his free speech.
I do not watch much basketball and don't really follow the NBA so forgive me if the question seems stupid.
2007-03-16 03:31:39 · 17 answers · asked by afropastrami 1 in Sports ➔ Basketball
They actually fined Jackson $50,000 and the Lakers $50,000. I'm not sure why they would fine the Lakers team, but they fine coaches all the time when they complain. It's nothing new.
2007-03-16 07:22:59 · answer #1 · answered by smeiou78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Phil is essentially a representative of the NBA, they have the right to fine him for openly criticizing refs.
Free speech does not imply that there are no penalties that will be assessed by employers and the like, just that you can legally say whatever you want. So the NBA could not sue Phil in a court of law, but they can fine him.
It's similar to companies that will fire someone if they, say, got drunk while wearing a company shirt and embarassed the company at a night club.
2007-03-16 03:40:52 · answer #2 · answered by Tim 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The NBA could be a shaggy dog tale. i do no longer choose NBA gamers to look like Nascar automobiles. BQ: Joakim Noah. i admire his shot lol, it spins sideways. BQ2: The Mavs and Spurs look like they can supply some opposition, yet for now, the Lakers are the gang to conquer.
2016-10-02 05:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is against NBA rules to openly criticize the league. The measures taken by the players to still be able to voice their opinion is through the players union.
2007-03-19 14:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by thorstyn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is stupid that you can't call out the refs or anything like that, but it is a "NBA Law". Yeah it seems like it would be against the first admendment...but somehow they get around it. I think that Jackson is a little right though...Kobe is dirty, but so are many other players and they don't get suspended all the time.
2007-03-16 03:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by don_keidic 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the Comishioner is a Jew. and he cares about money, and he wants to control every thing.
Kobe has to stop hitting people LOL. And Jackson has the right to say what he feels. Jackson probably feels like he is a black slave now.
2007-03-16 03:50:36 · answer #6 · answered by amun25 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anything that discredits the NBA is subject to punishment in the NBA, it is a business and has a president and governs itself...
2007-03-16 05:39:06 · answer #7 · answered by Toxic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently they are and Phil Jackson was as shocked as anyone that he and the entire Lakers franchise were fined $50,000 each. Looks like you can't say anything that alludes to the fact that the officials are not perfect without getting a hefty fine assessed to you.
2007-03-16 03:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by WHEELJACK 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Contractual obligations not to say things like that overrule the Constitution's right to free speech because players and coaches waive that right in their contracts.
2007-03-16 03:39:19 · answer #9 · answered by Beast8981 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they dont want coaches out there putting down the nba, how does look for their image? and please, thats pocket change for jackson, you think its gonna hurt him? lol, he will just make it during next weeks games
2007-03-16 04:13:32 · answer #10 · answered by Q 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋