Programming note: Watch the NBA Finals pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders on Sunday at 3 p.m., streaming live on the MyTeams app.
The Clippers need to send a check to the NBA.
Why?
The Association released the following statement on Friday afternoon:
"The NBA announced today that it has fined the LA Clippers $50,000 for violating the league's anti-tampering rule. The fine is in response to comments regarding the Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard made by Head Coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers in a recent television appearance."
When did this occur and what did he say? Good questions.
Sports
On Tuesday evening, Doc offered some pretty high praise to Kawhi during an NBA Finals preview show on ESPN:
"He is the most like (Michael) Jordan that we've seen. Not that he is Jordan or anything like that, but he's the most like him. Big hands, post game, can finish, great leaper, great defender, in-between game, if you beat him to the spot he bumps you off and then you add his three-point shooting."
"Kawhi is the most like Jordan we've seen."
Doc Rivers has some high praise for Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/i1R2gR1VrT— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 29, 2019
It's very obvious why Doc said this. One of the worst-kept-secrets in the NBA right now is how badly the Clippers want to sign Kawhi in free agency this summer.
In fact, the grand plan is to add both the 2014 NBA Finals MVP and Warriors superstar Kevin Durant.
You might as well shoot for the moon, right?
[WARRIORS OUTSIDERS PODCAST: Dubs sloppy in Game 1 loss to Raptors]
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, Kawhi recorded 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Raptors beat Golden State, 118-109.
KD did not play because of his right calf injury. And based on what Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Friday, the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP will miss Game 2 as well.
