Joakim Noah's Pockets Will Be A Little Lighter

During the Heat/ Bulls last night Joakim Noah got a little testy and called a fan a "fucking Faggot" well you can read his lips.

A couple thoughts on this. 1. I think they should fine him 100,000 the same amount as Kobe Bryant. 2. Noah has to know better than this. You're in the Eastern Conference Semis, all camera's are going to be on you, not only should you be mature enough to ignore the fan, you have to be mature enough not to respond.

I do however believe this is going to be overblown because when someone uses the word "faggot" it gets overblown for being insensitive. For right now, I know the word is inexcusable to use at all and especially in public places, however the writing is on the wall and the word is going to be desensitized.

For example the word retard was the same thing, and then when LeBron uses, "that's retarded" during a press conference, it's no big deal or when someone calls someone says they are cancer, it's no big deal. I feel the word "faggot" now is so mainstream and such a common schoolyard name people don't even know what the hate meaning is anymore. Even though ignorance may not be the best defense to use a hateful word, it kinda has to be.

Andrew Bynum Suspended 5 Games/ Fined

BMack's boy Andrew Bynum has been suspended 5 games without pay and fined 25,000 dollars for taking his shirt off while getting ejected. The infraction will cost him $702,272 overall, including the fine.

I could care less about his apology yesterday, it was forced and too late to be honest. he should have been suspended at least 10 games for the vicious hit he put against J.J. Barea. Thank God he didn't get hurt for the next series, but if he did the Mavericks whole post season would be different. That's how I feel the NBA should have though of this. There is no room for this type of behavior in basketball and to hit a defenseless player who is a foot smaller and probably over 100 pounds less than you is inexcusable. I initially said 20 games, but I'd settle on 10, 5 games is too less.

MLB Is Full Of Shit

"During a radio interview Tuesday, Boston Red Sox owner John Henry revealed publicly for the first time that Major League Baseball fined him $500,000 for comments he made to The Boston Globe in 2009 about the league's revenue-sharing system. In 2009, Henry told the newspaper that seven "chronically uncompetitive teams" received over $1 billion. "Who except these teams, can think this is a good idea?" he asked.

"The large markets aren't allowed to give their opinions," Henry said on WEEI's The Big Show. "I made statements which turned out to be true, or at least there were various documents that were leaked after that. But anyway, the large clubs are not allowed to talk about it (ESPN)."

I want to start off by saying I am actually for a salary cap in baseball. I think there should be one for all sports. Yet, until then....

JOHN HENRY IS 100% RIGHT!!!!!!!!

There is an underlining problem in baseball that no one seems to talk about. When these "big market" teams have to pay a luxury tax, and there is all this revenue sharing it is supposed to help "small market" teams gain more income to spend on payroll. Instead, we have teams like the Pirates that instead take this money and pocket it. If you think it's wrong the Yankees spend so much, then this has to piss you off as well, because these teams have the finances to spend more money then they do, and instead decide to say "fuck it and fuck our fans". If I was a Pirates fan (along with other teams) I would be bullshit. I don't have a problem with teams that seemingly have a plan (Royals), but there are many teams in the MLB that are completely aimless, and yet turn a profit. That's just bad business, and just as bad for the MLB as the Yankees and Red Sox spending crazy money.

The MLB doesn't just need a salary cap, but also a salary minimum, and if a team can't afford it they should have to sell the team or be contracted.

James Harrison To Retire? (UPDATED)

The Pittsburgh Steelers excused James Harrison from practice Wednesday as the Pro Bowl linebacker contemplated retirement, according to his agent.

Basically he is pissed that he got fined $75,000 for a hit he made last game, and now is trying to prove a point. To be honest, I defend him, because the NFL is going to go too far with all these rules, and eventually it's going to turn into the NBA where you have no idea what is and isn't a foul (or in this case a flag).

Saying that, there is 0% chance that he actually retires, and I would expect that he'll be back at practice tomorrow.

***UPDATE***

Linebacker James Harrison has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one day after he threatened to retire because of the NFL's stricter enforcement of dangerous hits.

Yea, shocking.

Gilbert Arenas Fined For Being A Good Guy?

Arenas was fined Wednesday for faking an injury to keep from playing in the Washington Wizards' home preseason opener. Although this sounds bad, he seemed to have good intentions...

Arenas said after the game Tuesday that he pretended to have a bum knee to give teammate Nick Young a chance to start.

"I told [Young] I'd sacrifice playing tonight so he can get some time in because I know he's kind of frustrated he's not getting a chance to crack the [small forward] position, especially since we're going three guards," Arenas said Tuesday, smiling. "So I told him I'll go and fake an injury or say something's wrong with me so you can start (ESPN)."

Arenas deserves to be suspended, because you can't lie about an injury like that, and I'm sure the coaching staff wasn't happy. Also, he should be fined for just being an idiot, because if he kept his mouth shut no one would've been able to prove anything.

With all that being said, at least it seems like Arenas is set on being a good teammate. He raved about John Wall and how he is the future of this team (and possible leader right now), and now he is going out of his way to get Nick Young some playing time. His intentions were good, but he needs to find a better way of doing things, and stop being an idiot. Basically, if he keeps his mouth shut all of this would've been fine.

Celtic Owner Rips David Stern

"Celtics minority owner Jim Pallotta could be fined after he had a verbal confrontation with NBA commissioner David Stern following Game 3 of the Finals. Pallotta was not happy with the referees and told Stern the league should be embarrassed by how the games have been called in the Finals. Stern doesn't put up with team officials publicly ripping referees, so there's a very good chance that Pallotta will be fined (ESPN)."

Good! It is about fucking time. This league deserves to get ripped for the way the games have been called. I am not just saying the calls on the Celtics, but just the way the game are called all around. DP and I have written many posts about this, so I won't go on a huge rant here, but basically championships should be decided by players, not refs. The NBA has some of the best talent it has ever had, and yet the games are hard to watch with the way the refs are calling the game.

I am glad that this guy went off on Stern, and I am sure that he will get fined, but I think everyone can agree that the NBA needs to sit down at the end of the year and overhaul the way they call games.

NBA Fines Ainge 25K

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for tossing a towel to try and distract Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson as he shot a free throw.

We have already been over this, so I am going to keep this short. I think this is fucking stupid. All he did was support his team. He was in the stands like any other fan, and fans wouldn't get in trouble for this, so neither should he. Was it unprofessional? Probably, but who the fuck cares. It is just great to see management actually cares about his team rather then just the money side of it. Fuck the NBA for this, but it isn't just them. All the sports seem to be going to far...

MLB - going after coaches for non uniforms
NFL - No fun league. Celebration rules. Coaches can't wear suits, ect.
NBA - Can get into the game if your connected with the team.
NHL - I got nothing off the top of my head, but I am sure they have some stupid rule too.

Anyways, it is a game. Lighten up.

Doc Fined $25,000 For Being Right

Doc Rivers was fined $25,000 by the NBA for his actions when he was ejected Monday in Atlanta, which was caused by a bullshit flagrant foul on Glen Davis. It was so bullshit that the NBA later took back that foul, but Rivers was still stuck with a bill for $25,000. How can you fine someone for being right? The refs in this fucking league are so terrible that someone really should get pissed. At least Doc is taking it all in stride...

"I think it's my relationship with Rasheed Wallace. I'm going to blame everything on him from now on. If you keep company like that, then."

Rasheed Wallace Fined $30,000

"Before Sunday's game Rasheed Wallace was fined $30,000 by the NBA for "public criticism of officials" after his postgame comments Friday. Wallace accused Toronto's Hedo Turkoglu of flopping and then said some players receive preferential treatment after Paul Pierce was whistled for a technical for taunting Chris Bosh following a dunk.

"They set rules on us to the point where you’re taunting. When Paul dunked it, and then Paul didn’t say nothing, he just looked at him. Let the Golden Child do that or one of the NBA [Basketball] Without Borders kids do that and it’s all fine and dandy," he said.

When asked who the Golden Child was, Wallace said "Take a guess." And when a reporter mentioned LeBron James, Wallace said, "yeah (Boston.com)."

This is bullshit. Wallace did not direct go after the refs, and even if he did everything he said is 100% true. It is fucking ridiculous that a players popularity determines the fouls that are or aren't called. You add that to the fact that there are reports of more refs being involved in gambling you notice that the NBA has a serious problem on its hands. Something has to be done, because this is completely out of control.

Wallace is going to appeal the fine.

NFL Fines Titans Owner 250K

"The NFL has fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for making an obscene gesture at Buffalo fans while celebrating Tennessee's victory over the Bills. Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Adams of the fine Monday. League spokesman Greg Aiello said it is for conduct detrimental to the NFL. Adams was seen making the gesture while in his luxury suite and again on the field after Sunday's 41-17 victory (ESPN)."

We showed you the video yesterday, so I thought it would be a good idea to follow up on this. Here are my thoughts... I thought it was funny, but he had to get fined for this. You can't have an owner going to another stadium and start flipping off everyone. I am sorry, but you just can't. It was handled well and we won't hear anymore about this until the Bills play the Titans again.

Ochocinco Fined $20,000

"Chad Ochocinco has been fined $20,000 by the NFL for flashing a dollar bill at an official during a replay challenge -- a joking attempt at what the Bengals receiver referred to as a "bribe" -- in last week's Cincinnati-Baltimore game (ESPN)."

You know what? Good. The NFL fines players for endzone celebrations, spiking the ball, ect...so it is just not right if Ochocinco got away with this. I find him hilarious, and I thought this was funny, but you can't do that, and if I was a teammate of his I would tell him to shut the fuck up and get ready for Pittsburgh.

Patrick Chung Fined

"Patriots rookie safety Patrick Chung has been fined $7,500 days after he received a roughing the passer penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne in Sunday's 27-17 victory. The hit in the third quarter of Sunday's game resulted in a 15-yard penalty, moving the Dolphins to their own 41-yard line. But Miami was unable to score on the drive (Boston.com)."

Even though I am a huge Tom Brady fan I hate all these new rules. It is really ruining the sport. This fine means nothing, but it is just a snapshot at a problem going on around the NFL. Safety is important, but these guys know what they are getting themselves into when they get on the field...

Stephen Jackson Fined 25K

"Golden State star Stephen Jackson has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for saying he wanted to be traded. Jackson, who averaged a team-best 20.7 points last season, told Dime Magazine last month that he wanted out and had told the front office as much (Sportsline)."

Stephen Jackson is the thug, but this is kind of ridiculous. How many time have we seen a player request a trade? I can't remember anyone else getting fined for it. I hate when players demand to be traded, but I really don't see how you are allowed to go after them for voicing their opinion.

Papelbon Fined Again

Jonathan Papelbon’s slow play once again drew the ire of Major League Baseball, which fined the Red Sox closer today for taking too long to deliver a pitch for at least the fifth time this season, an infraction incurred Tuesday night. The league fined Papelbon $5,000 for a failure to comply with a new rule designed to increase the pace of games. Papelbon vowed he would finally adjust to the rules while not allowing them to change his mound approach.

“What am I supposed to do it about, you know?” Papelbon said. “Ain’t nothing I can do about it. I’ll make an adjustment and move on. That’s it. It’s not going to affect my pitching. That’s for sure.” Papelbon has been fined for similar infractions multiple times this season. “I think it’s the fifth or seventh,” he said. “One of the two (Boston.com).”

I know it means nothing, but this bothers me. The MLB has these silly little rules, and it is starting to turn into the NFL where guys are just getting fined all over the place. They were after Francona a couple years back about wearing a jersey under his jacket. Now they are going after Papelbon because he isn't pitching fast enough. I know the game can drag, and they want to make it faster, but baseball is baseball....Like it or don't watch...

Papelbon Fined

"Jonathan Papelbon needs to pick up the pace. Not on the field, where he is tied for the American League lead with 16 saves. But in getting there. According to report this morning by Maureen Mullen of the Lynn Daily Item, Papelbon was fined $1,000 by the league earlier this week for violating pace-of-game guidelines. His infractions have come while he is entering the game. A source told Mullen that the time from the third out of one half-inning to the first pitch of the next half-inning is supposed to be 2 minutes 5 seconds for local TV games, 2:25 for national TV weeknight games, and 2:30 for TV games on the weekend. According to Mullen's report, it took Papelbon 3:34 between the final out in the bottom of the eighth and the first pitch in the top of the ninth Wednesday night (Boston.com)."


This is fucking ridiculous. Papelbon is one of the most entertaining players in baseball. Fenway erupts when this guy comes into the game. I know it's not a big deal, but should Papelbon violate the rule again, he will be fined $3,000, with a third violation costing him $7,000 with the possibility of suspension. I know Francona and Papelbon will fix this, but the MLB needs to relax. This is almost as bad as when the MLB went after Francona for not wearing an MLB jersey under his jacket...

Alabama To Lose Wins From 2005-2007

"The NCAA will reveal later Thursday that the Alabama football program must vacate victories from 2005 through 2007 that included players who improperly got free textbooks for other students, the Birmingham News is reporting. Alabama could be forced to vacate as many as 21 wins under the watch of former coach Mike Shula and current coach Nick Saban, sources at the university told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach. Citing a source, the News reported the number of wins to be at least 10 (ESPN)."

There have been a lot of schools getting in trouble. For the most part I agree with the NCAA, because it is unfair for some schools to be cheating while others are at a disadvantage for following the rules. Still, this seems odd to me. The NCAA is going to take away 21 wins, because the kids got free textbooks. I mean come on!!! The only way this makes sense is if the NCAA had warned them several times, and Alabama just blew them off, but still this seems like a very heavy penalty. We'll let you know more when the details are released.

Rivers Gets Fined

"Boston coach Doc Rivers has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing a referee earlier in the week (ESPN)."

Doc, just like any other coach, usually does this to try to fire up his team. This case might be a little different, as referee Kennedy was also fined, yet we don't know for how much. So, at least Doc knows he was on to something. Doc's temper has been riding high of late. I think he is starting to feel the heat with the Celtics struggling, but I think this will also blow over once the Celtics get KG, and Allen back. They should only need a couple of tune up games before the playoffs.

Welker Fined 10k

"Patriots receiver Wes Welker has been fined $10,000 for making a "snow angel" in the team's 47-7 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday, colleague Christopher L. Gasper reports (Boston.com)."

You have got to be shitting me. They fine Welker the same amount they fined Ellis for picking up a boulder of snow, and throwing it into the crowd. This is a fucking joke. No Fun League strikes again. I really have no idea where they come up with these fines, maybe it's their way of dealing with the economic troubles in the US. Fuck Goodell.

-BMack

Practice?

"Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson missed practice Thursday and will be levied a "hefty" fine, coach Michael Curry said (ESPN)."

Wow, who would have thought AI would skip practice? This is hilarious, because when AI was traded to Detroit he said he would do anything to win a championship, even go to practice. I guess that didn't last long. I never know what to think of AI, because during a game he can be awesome, but he can also cost a team a game when he is cold. He talks the talk when it comes to what he supposed to do, and seems like a team leader, but then doesn't show up to practice. I just don't know what to think of him, but one thing is for sure...even though he wears a different jersey, he is still the same AI.

-BMack

Wilfork To Be Fined

Just as I thought, the NFL is going to hand out a fine to Vince Wilfork for his elbow to the head of Denver QB Jay Cutler. No word as to how large the fine will be, but they're suppose to announce it by Friday. Wilfork was fined a total of $35,000 last season for four different episodes, but it's hard to take any of it seriously as the NFL seems to fine everyone and anything (example Hines Ward). The good news is that he won't be suspended because the Patriots will need him this week vs. the Colts.

-BMack