The Brooklyn franchise is therefore the first to suffer the new NBA policy, with a $100,000 fine imposed following the resting of Nic Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson against the Bucks. The Nets made this choice because of an overloaded schedule. But for Joe Dumars and the league, dura lex, sed lex.
“We were very clear with the teams about what we were trying to do and what we would like to see”recalls the director of basketball operations of the NBA for ESPN. “And, to get straight to the point, if we put four incumbents to rest at the same time, that goes against the policy and the spirit that we are trying to establish. »
Proof that the league is now paying attention on this subject: none of the Nets players concerned was considered a star, according to the list announced before the season. However, the sanction fell.
“It’s unfair to everyone involved in the NBA,” believes Joe Dumars. “It’s unfair for everyone to leave players on the bench like that. We spoke with the 30 teams about ways to rest the players. We understand that players sometimes need it. But we never said that we could seat four starters whenever we wanted. This is not part of our policy. This is a violation. »
First positive assessment
If the Nets are the first to suffer the consequences, the league has conducted several investigations. “We are serious about this”confirms the former leader of the Pistons. “We talked about it with everyone. Not going to the end would not be right on our part. So yes, we are serious. »
Now that a first sanction has been noted, what assessment does Joe Dumars draw after more than two months of competition with these new rules?
“We announced it to everyone: it’s a championship with 82 matches. We know that this does not mean that the players will play all 82 matches. It’s the spirit of this league,” specifies the one who played three full seasons in his career, not missing a single match. “This season, overall, the players are really up to par. We are very satisfied with the presence of the players or the tournament. The players are there for the back-to-backs. Now, when there is a problem, we must correct it. If a team rests that many players at once, then the league can only be concerned. »
