NBA Should Investigate Tampering by Heat

[footey]

Given the facts and circumstances, an investigation into tampering against the Heat should be considered by Stern.  Pat Riley was seducing James to join the Heat months ago (see article posted on this site by Brian Windhorst), and Wade, as an agent of the Heat, has been scheming to get Bosh and James to Miami.  These guys were under contract through June 30, 2010.  At the least, the cell phone and text message records could be subpoenaed. This sounds alarmist, but I would bet you that if the texts of these guys (and their agents/managers) were revealed, a strong case would emerge. Sadly, it will never happen. Right, Dave?

[Kwhit10]

I bet this goes on all the time throughout the league.

[Bahku]

Don't hold your breath.

[hpantazo]

are you kidding? Stern is loving this, he's fully morphed into Vince McMahon now.

[wdleehi]

are you kidding? Stern is loving this, he's fully morphed into Vince McMahon now.

No.


Stern only knows how to market individuals.  Now three of his main individuals are on one team and he is left with two dead teams.  His marketing is going to be very tough outside of Miami, LA, Boston and Orlando

[Kuberski33]

Stern very shortly I think, is going to remind everyone who's the boss.  Stay tuned.  This totally goes against the Stern model for the NBA - i.e. one superstar per team.

[Rondo_is_better]

From the CBA FAQ:

24. Do players and teams ever have under-the-table agreements? What happens when the league finds out about them? Is this what happened with the Timberwolves and Joe Smith?

If a team makes a direct agreement with a player that is not reported to the league, the penalties can be even harsher than those described in question number 23. Such a violation is considered by the league to be among the most serious a team can commit. Again, the league will investigate any allegations of wrongdoing. A violation can result in a fine up to $5,000,000, forfeiture of draft picks, voiding the player's contract(s), and/or the suspension for up to one year of any team personnel who were involved. In addition, the player himself can be fined up to $100,000, and prohibited from ever signing with that team.

[thirstyboots18]

I know it won't happen, but I personally hope that the Miami Heat is boycotted and shunned this season throughout the league.  I realize that this would cut into the home teams finances, but  money is the only thing the NBA organization understands, and I don't think what these players have been plotting is right.  It must have been done with Pat Riley's knowledge or, as someone said, the inmates are running the asylum. 

[pearljammer10]

And how would they prove anything? Literally everyone in the league does this same thing, if they didnt they wouldnt sign anyone.

[Rashi]

There is prob no way they would be able to prove it.

Now this is only a wishful thinking, but I would love it if the fans of other teams would boycott the games when they came to play in other arenas; especially since they said that because of them other arenas would be sold out and they should thank them for it.

[fairweatherfan06]

probably won't happen. Seems like there was some but really hard to prove.

[erisred]

are you kidding? Stern is loving this, he's fully morphed into Vince McMahon now.

I don't think so, I think he's probably hating it...but I also think that this is the logical outcome of the "cult of the individual" that he has been pushing for the last many years.

You know what I've been wondering is if Wade and James are going to continue to get all those foul calls they have gotten in the past?

[Who]

Almost every single team is in contact with players and vice versa before July 1st.

You could count on one hand the number of teams who do not engage in this.

[guava_wrench]

Stern very shortly I think, is going to remind everyone who's the boss.  Stay tuned.  This totally goes against the Stern model for the NBA - i.e. one superstar per team.

Stern model?  Where do people come up with this?

You give him way too much credit. He has no say in player movement. Teams and players decide. All he can do is punish teams for breaking rules.

[guava_wrench]

are you kidding? Stern is loving this, he's fully morphed into Vince McMahon now.

I don't think so, I think he's probably hating it...but I also think that this is the logical outcome of the "cult of the individual" that he has been pushing for the last many years.

You know what I've been wondering is if Wade and James are going to continue to get all those foul calls they have gotten in the past?

Isn't the heat situation the opposite of the "cult of the individual" you are talking about? They have put aside individual goals for a team goal.

It seems like we are just spinning events to fit whatever narrative we presuppose.