Cuban Fined $10,000 for Retaliatory Talk

Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for inappropriate public comments after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on March 5.

In the game, Maverick guard Michael Finley was ejected for elbowing Bruce Bowen. But television replays showed both throwing elbows, and Bowen said after the game they bumped each other.

The Spurs won, 113-100, and Cuban said in published reports that he asked one of his players to retaliate against Bowen.

“I told one of our guys, when you get up close, slap the ball right into his face and I’ll pay the fine,” Cuban said. “That’s just not right. Different refs have different characteristics in how they call games, and that was par for the course.”

*

Cleveland Cavalier rookie guard LeBron James is reportedly being considered for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

James may replace the Toronto Raptors’ Vince Carter, who has told U.S. officials he plans to skip the Olympics because of a recurring ankle injury, a source said.

Aaron Goodwin, James’ agent, said James would accept an invitation to play in Athens.

“He’d consider it an honor,” Goodwin said.

Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett has reportedly already been asked to join the team.

During February’s All-Star break, the forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves said he would consider playing on the Olympic team if he was invited.

Already on the U.S. team are Seattle’s Ray Allen, Sacramento’s Mike Bibby, the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson, New Jersey’s Jason Kidd, Orlando’s Tracy McGrady and Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal.

*

Drug enforcement officers were searching for marijuana during a Tuesday raid at the home of Milwaukee Buck rookie guard T.J. Ford, according to his attorney.

Stephen Glynn said prosecutors had not asked to meet with Ford about the raid. No arrests were reported, and it was unclear what evidence was collected.

The Bucks released a statement Tuesday that said authorities informed them that Ford was not the subject of the investigation.

Ford has been on the injured list since Feb. 25 because of a bruised spinal cord.