Kevin Durant fined 25k for "menacing gesture"

[bdreason]

I wondered when I saw him do the throat slash is he would get fined for it. NBA has stated for a long time now, no throat slashing gestures.

[BuffaloBill]

It is only fair considering how Deshawn Stevenson was fined for the same amount for the same gesture.

Lol if he did that today he'd be facing suspension.

[BasedTom]

It's ridiculous how the NBA is softening up the game- almost certainly as part of a desire to not intimidate the soccer mom audience rather than any honest obligation that the league has to player safety or what have you.

That Heat at Bulls game should be the standard level of physicality in the league as opposed to the current system where it's a complete guess whether the refs decide that they're going to either silent or whistle happy like Joey Crawford

This is probably the first time the league has taken any form of negative action against Durant and OKC though. And to be fair, he should know that in today's league there's consequences to these gestures.

[InspiredLebowski]

I wondered when I saw him do the throat slash is he would get fined for it. NBA has stated for a long time now, no throat slashing gestures.

yeah, it's not like it's a secret, can't do the throat slash. KD even said it's supposed to mean "kill em and pray for em." soft or not, NBA's not about to encourage that.

[BuffaloBill]

yeah, it's not like it's a secret, can't do the throat slash. KD even said it's supposed to mean "kill em and pray for em." soft or not, NBA's not about to encourage that.

Basketball is dead.

[sportjames23]

The $25K probably went into David Stern's retirement fund.

That's pocket change for Stern.

[knicksman]

The reason why NFL is considered the best sport because of the brutality of the game yet here is dumbass stern trying to soften the league. STern is a failure. He should really retire.

[BasedTom]

The reason why NFL is considered the best sport because of the brutality of the game yet here is dumbass stern trying to soften the league. STern is a failure. He should really retire.

Are you familiar with Roger Goodell? I've got bad news for you man.

Oh and not to derail the thread, but who thinks the NFL is the best sport outside of a few select cities in the US?

[Ancient Legend]

Stern at his best. The NBA fines KD for the gesture, yet has no problem uploading that play with said gesture on its official YouTube site. If they don't want to promote such things, why are they showing it as a highlight?

[LikeABosh]

****ing baseball allows brawls without penalties alot of the time. Why does the NBA have to be so damn soft with this shit?

[knicksman]

Are you familiar with Roger Goodell? I've got bad news for you man.

Oh and not to derail the thread, but who thinks the NFL is the best sport outside of a few select cities in the US?

The only reason why NFL is not the best because its not marketed like NBA.

[Scholar]

****ing baseball allows brawls without penalties alot of the time. Why does the NBA have to be so damn soft with this shit?

In the NBA's case, they're attempting to appease White America. The NBA doesn't want their predominantly African-American league to be considered full of "thugs."

[SamuraiSWISH]

First of all the gesture was NOT menacing. KD is a fake, scrawny tough guy ... the gesture itself, compounded by the DUMB explanation from Durant made it even cornier.

He's really reaching for his own signature moment.

MJ had the fist pump, jump in the air leg kick, the shrug, and shook his head in defiance after big shots.

Kobe has the Kobe teeth scowl, and smoking guns. As well as aping Jordan's mannerisms, Sam Cassell's "big balls" dance and Jason Terry's "jet"

LeBron has the pissed Game 6 "Soon" face, and the push it down take the chest gesture after a big shot.

Durant's is corny, and trying way too hard.

[BasedTom]

First of all the gesture was NOT menacing. KD is a fake, scrawny tough guy ... the gesture itself, compounded by the DUMB explanation from Durant made it even cornier.

I think he tries to play the "goody two-shoes humble player" role for the camera as opposed to the tough guy. Notice how he has a ton of tattoos and they're all conveniently hidden by his jersey.

[jcsrplumply]

Did artest got fined for this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMyyLdRixI