On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA made an announcement that they have fined Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson $50,000 for comments he made about Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo last week during an interview with the media.
Ironically, the Bucks even posted part of the quote about Johnson complimenting Antetokounmpo's stay with the Bucks on the team's Instagram page last week, as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeqEuCYl_u_/
How weird is that? Here is the full quote that got Johnson in trouble with the NBA, which comes from a question that he was asked in an interview with Nick Friedell of ESPN last week:
“Oh yeah,” Johnson said. “With his ball-handling skills and his passing ability. He plays above the rim I never could do that. But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates. That's where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play. I'm just happy he's starting in the All-Star game because he deserves that. And he's going to be like an MVP, a champion, this dude he's going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he's going to bring them a championship one day.”
Although Johnson did not even mention the Lakers nor could his comments hardly be considered any form of recruitment involving Antetokounmpo, NBA rules prohibit front office executives from commenting publicly about players under contract with other teams.
This is now the second time in the last six months that Johnson and the Lakers have been hit with a fine for tampering by the league, as the team was also fined a whopping $500,000 for comments Johnson made on Jimmy Kimmel Live about Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star forward Paul George.
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