Adam Silver provided details on two miscellaneous events that marked the NBA season: the dismissals of Miles Bridges And Ime Udoka. Voices were raised on sanctions deemed too lenient, and the NBA boss explained himself.
As a reminder, the Hornets winger was sidelined for the entire season following domestic violence. Once the court decision was officially rendered, the NBA sanctioned him with a 30-game suspension, a penalty ultimately reduced to 10 games.
“Regarding Miles Bridges, we have worked with his agents and the players’ association to have him suspended for the entire season”explained Adam Silver. “So we felt, after taking everything into consideration, that he had been ruled out for a whole season and that he hadn’t been paid for a whole season. In all fairness, that gave him partial credit, I think, for sitting out all season.”
The NBA also defended itself from any act of leniency, recalling that the sanction imposed on Miles Bridges remained “the most important we have inflicted in a case of domestic violence”by the voice of Kathy Behrens, president of social responsibility and programs for the NBA players. “He’s started a series of court-ordered sessions, so I think he’s certainly, in that regard, doing the job he needs to be doing. It’s a pretty big punishment for him.”, she added.
Ime Udoka hired in April… for next season
The case around Ime Udoka is different. First, Udoka did not show any violence towards anyone, and he was not prosecuted. The new Rockets coach had been suspended for a year by the Celtics, in agreement with the NBA, for having had an extramarital relationship with a franchise employee. Even under contract, the technician was able to speak with several league franchises to finally commit to Houston.
Adam Silver simply clarified that he had given his approval for other franchises to solicit him for next season.
“We have had access to the investigation conducted by the Celtics. The Celtics decided he should be suspended for a year. We have reviewed this decision and found it to be fair in the circumstances. Then when other teams, not just the Rockets, asked if he would be able to coach next season, we said he would.”he added.
