Sprewell fined $25,000 for swearing
( 2003-12-25 10:01) (Agencies)
Minnesota's Latrell Sprewell
was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for cursing at New York Knicks
chairman James Dolan and screaming at the team's bench during the Timberwolves'
98-92 win Tuesday night.
The penalty was issued by NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson.
Sprewell, who was traded to Minnesota and scored 31 points in his return to
New York, turned to Dolan and unleashed a stream of curses after his 3-pointer
gave Minnesota a 94-89 lead with 1:14 left.
Referee Dan Crawford came over and warned Sprewell to stop during the ensuing
timeout, but Sprewell kept it up anyway and directed his next rant at the
Knicks' bench. The tirade earned him a technical foul.
Sprewell began screaming at Dolan during the first quarter, the first
expletive-filled harangue making Dolan blush. Sprewell turned and shouted at
Dolan several more times during the course of the game. Dolan eventually smiled
at the taunts.
"All the little games he's been playing this year, I let him do the talking
earlier. I'm just glad I could do the talking now," Sprewell said after the
game.
In 1999, Sprewell was fined $10,000 for making profane remarks to fans during
a Knicks' win at Golden State. That game was the first time Sprewell faced
former coach P.J. Carlesimo, whom he choked as a member of the Warriors in
December 1997.
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