NBA issued a $50,000 fine to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. According to the reports, NBA fined the Lakers following the comments of team’s president Magic Johnson about Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking with ESPN in a recent interview, Johnson praised Antetokounmpo, saying the player may lead the Bucks to a championship.

“Oh yeah,” – said Johnson when he was asked whether he sees similarities between his and Antetokounmpo’s game. “With his ball-handling skills and his passing ability. He plays above the rim; I never could do that. But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates … that’s where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play.“

“I’m just happy he’s starting in the All-Star Game because he deserves that.” – Johnson added. “And he’s going to be like an MVP, a champion. This dude, he’s going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he’s going to bring them a championship one day.“

Although these comments may seem like straightforward thing and simple praise, NBA doesn’t tolerate when team’s officials comment about the players who are under contract with another team. While NBA didn’t appreciate Magic Johnson’s comments about Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks sure did.

This isn’t the first time that the Lakers have been fined for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule under Magic Johnson’s regime. The team also received a $500,000 fine in August after NBA’s investigation “produced evidence of contact” between the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka and the agent of Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George, even after a warning about tampering.

The post Los Angeles Lakers Fined for Violating NBA’s Anti-Tampering Rule appeared first on SportzBonanza.

NBA released a statement yesterday saying that they will begin an investigation regarding the alleged tampering of Paul George by the Los Angeles Lakers following the request made by the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers denied the accusations, saying they expect everything to be sorted out soon since there is no evidence of tampering. It is believed that Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations, is at the center of the investigation.

Pacers suspect that Magic Johnson made a contact with Paul George while he was still their player. Under the regulations, officials of NBA teams can’t make any contacts with players (or their agents) about the possible move until the players’ free-agency year opens on July 1.

Paul George, 4 times NBA All-Star and the 10th pick in 2010 NBA draft, still had one year of his contract remaining but made it clear he doesn’t intend to sign an extension with Indiana Pacers and that his preferred destination is Los Angeles. This put Indiana Pacers in an awkward position, forcing them to choose between playing George for another year and losing him for nothing or trading him to another club. His publicly stated desire that he wants to play for Lakers didn’t help in the process, with the majority of teams unwilling to give up major assets for a player that would walk on them after a year. Oklahoma City Thunder was one of the teams willing to take a risk, sending Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to Indiana in exchange for George.

Several sources are saying that Pacers intended to file the charges even before they made a trade with OKC. If the tampering turns out to be true, LA Lakers could be in for a severe punishment. This includes losing draft picks, not being allowed to sign Paul George in the future or receiving a financial fine.

The post NBA Investigation Underway Due To Possible Tampering Of Paul George By LA Lakers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

NBA issued a $50,000 fine to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. According to the reports, NBA fined the Lakers following the comments of team’s president Magic Johnson about Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking with ESPN in a recent interview, Johnson praised Antetokounmpo, saying the player may lead the Bucks to a championship.

“Oh yeah,” – said Johnson when he was asked whether he sees similarities between his and Antetokounmpo’s game. “With his ball-handling skills and his passing ability. He plays above the rim; I never could do that. But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates … that’s where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play.“

“I’m just happy he’s starting in the All-Star Game because he deserves that.” – Johnson added. “And he’s going to be like an MVP, a champion. This dude, he’s going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he’s going to bring them a championship one day.“

Although these comments may seem like straightforward thing and simple praise, NBA doesn’t tolerate when team’s officials comment about the players who are under contract with another team. While NBA didn’t appreciate Magic Johnson’s comments about Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks sure did.

This isn’t the first time that the Lakers have been fined for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule under Magic Johnson’s regime. The team also received a $500,000 fine in August after NBA’s investigation “produced evidence of contact” between the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka and the agent of Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George, even after a warning about tampering.

The post Los Angeles Lakers Fined for Violating NBA’s Anti-Tampering Rule appeared first on SportzBonanza.

NBA released a statement yesterday saying that they will begin an investigation regarding the alleged tampering of Paul George by the Los Angeles Lakers following the request made by the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers denied the accusations, saying they expect everything to be sorted out soon since there is no evidence of tampering. It is believed that Magic Johnson, Lakers president of basketball operations, is at the center of the investigation.

Pacers suspect that Magic Johnson made a contact with Paul George while he was still their player. Under the regulations, officials of NBA teams can’t make any contacts with players (or their agents) about the possible move until the players’ free-agency year opens on July 1.

Paul George, 4 times NBA All-Star and the 10th pick in 2010 NBA draft, still had one year of his contract remaining but made it clear he doesn’t intend to sign an extension with Indiana Pacers and that his preferred destination is Los Angeles. This put Indiana Pacers in an awkward position, forcing them to choose between playing George for another year and losing him for nothing or trading him to another club. His publicly stated desire that he wants to play for Lakers didn’t help in the process, with the majority of teams unwilling to give up major assets for a player that would walk on them after a year. Oklahoma City Thunder was one of the teams willing to take a risk, sending Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to Indiana in exchange for George.

Several sources are saying that Pacers intended to file the charges even before they made a trade with OKC. If the tampering turns out to be true, LA Lakers could be in for a severe punishment. This includes losing draft picks, not being allowed to sign Paul George in the future or receiving a financial fine.

The post NBA Investigation Underway Due To Possible Tampering Of Paul George By LA Lakers appeared first on SportzBonanza.