Mavs again fined for bench-decorum violations

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time this postseason, the NBA has fined the Dallas Mavericks for violating rules regarding bench decorum.

The league office announced a $50,000 fine on Wednesday for violations that occurred during Sunday’s 123-90 Game 7 rout of the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center.

A statement from the league office cited multiple occasions that several players and a member of the coaching staff “stood away from the team bench, and were on or encroaching upon the playing court” during the victory.

“I know about the fine. Just trying to figure out what we did wrong to get the fine,” coach Jason Kidd said on Wednesday. “So, we’ll see [Thursday] why we got fined. I mean, who complained? It was a blowout, so I don’t think the fans were complaining. I thought the guys did what they were supposed to do. They were cheering on their guys. So we’ll find out what the fine is. But it is what it is.”

The Mavs were also fined $25,000 on May 6 for similar violations that occurred during their Game 2 loss to the Suns. Dallas considers team chemistry an essential ingredient of their success, and the Mavs made it clear at the time that they had no intention of toning down the enthusiasm from two-way player Theo Pinson, injured guard Tim Hardaway Jr. and the rest of the bench.

“The league is worried about the wrong thing,” Kidd said after the first fine was assessed. “You have millionaires cheering on other millionaires. Doesn’t happen in this society. And the enthusiasm of the game, for a teammate to cheer on another teammate is special. And I think sometimes we’re focused on the wrong thing. And so when you look at people who make a lot of money cheering on their teammates or their employees, that’s what sport is all about. And so for us to get fined, that’s cool. It’s going to another good cause, charity. But again, we’re looking at the wrong thing.”

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