Doc Rivers Fined $50K By NBA Over Recent Kawhi Leonard Comments

BY Erika Marie 17.3K Views
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Doc Rivers
The league found Rivers to be in violation of tampering.

Doc Rivers's recent praise for Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard got the Los Angeles Clippers coach in a bit of trouble with the NBA. Rivers was a guest on  ESPN's SportsCenter Special: NBA Finals Preview earlier this week when he made controversial comparisons between Leonard and Michael Jordan. "He is the most like (Michael) Jordan that we've seen," Rivers said. "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."

It all seemed innocent enough, however, the NBA thought otherwise. Aside from the Kobe Bryant fans who couldn't believe Rivers would forget about one of the Los Angeles Lakers's greatest players in history, others speculated as to whether or not the coach would find himself in hot water. According to Odds Shark, when Rivers made that statement on ESPN, the Clippers were the Vegas favorites to snag Leonard. It was announced on Friday that the NBA found Rivers to be in violation of tampering and issued him a $50,000 fine.

The Raptors will face off against the Golden State Warriors for Game 2 on Sunday, June 2.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.