ESPN analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins blasted the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz on “NBA Today” after they were fined for tanking.
“I hope (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver fines them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball,” Perkins said of the Jazz being fined $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 for “prioritizing draft position over winning.” “Let’s stop being nice and stop throwing around the word ‘tank.’ No, this is actually a throwing game. You try to throw the game and lose the game. Think about it. In one of the best sports in the world, in competitive sports, you’re being taught how to try and lose the game.”
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Canned: Pacers fined $100,000 by NBA for poor performance against Jazz on Feb. 3
The NBA announced the fines under its player participation policy Thursday night for missing Pascal Siakam and other starters from the Pacers’ game against the Jazz on Feb. 3 for the second game of a back-to-back. The Jazz were fined for not playing Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of games against Orlando on February 7 and Miami on February 9. The Pacers lost to the Jazz 131-22. The Jazz lost to Orlando but defeated the Heat 115-111.
The Pacers’ violation appears to be related to this aspect of the policy:
“The league office (and independent physicians when necessary) will (1) review medical information, (2) interview key team personnel and, if necessary, players, and (3) consider circumstances (e.g., player’s injury history, team schedule, standings, public comments, participation in other games, etc.).”
The Pacers lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of last season’s NBA Finals and then suffered more injuries early in the season. They lost 13 of their first 14 games and suffered the worst 13-game losing streak in franchise history. The Pacers went 9-9 in their final 18 games before the All-Star break and were 15-40, the fourth-worst record in the league.
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The three worst teams have a 52.1% chance of getting the top four picks, a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, and the fourth-worst team has a 48.1% and 12.5% chance, respectively. If the Pacers acquire picks 5-9, the Clippers will receive the pick in the Ivica Zubac trade; otherwise, the Pacers will retain this season’s pick and send the unprotected 2031 pick to Los Angeles in the trade.
“I completely disagree with every front office expert you want to talk to, there is no generational talent in this draft,” Perkins added. “Do they have some good franchise players? Absolutely. Is A.J. Dybantsa Victor (Winbanyama) or Cooper Flagg? Is he (LeBron James)? Oh my gosh, no. Do any of those guys get to that level? They’re a great starting point. I’d fine them (expletive) more.”
Dustin Dopilak has played all season for the Pacers. Get more coverage with IndyStarTV and the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Pacers fined, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins blasts tanks