Evans fined $10,000, avoids a suspension

Chris Tomasson And Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 2, 2006 at midnight

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LOS ANGELES - If nothing else, the incident loosened up the Denver Nuggets.

The NBA on Monday fined forward Reggie Evans $10,000 for an incident that occurred during Saturday's Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Clippers center Chris Kaman claimed Evans grabbed him in the groin region.

Before Game 5 on Monday, the Nuggets cracked jokes in the locker room in front of Evans. Player development coach Bryon Russell replayed the tape of the incident three times in front of players and media.

The Nuggets wouldn't have been laughing, though, if Evans had been suspended.

"I'm happy," coach George Karl said before the 101-83 loss that ended the Nuggets' season. "I think it was a positive ruling for us. I think most of us thought he probably was going to be suspended."

The NBA also assessed a flagrant foul penalty two on Evans for "unnecessary and excessive contact." And Kaman, who had been assessed a flagrant foul penalty one for shoving Evans, had that downgraded to a technical.

"I'll just write it off (on his taxes)," Evans said of the fine. "I'm just happy I'm playing."

When discussing the incident, Evans wouldn't directly confirm or deny he did what Kaman charged.

"The tape speaks for itself without me saying it," Evans said. "If I did something wrong, I would have been suspended. Let's put it like that."

Evans shrugged off Kaman describing in detail what Evans allegedly did early in Saturday's second quarter. Kaman said Evans tried to "rip off" his private parts.

"A man is entitled to say whatever he wants to say," Evans said. "It's America, freedom of speech."

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said the NBA made the "right decision" because "you really can't conclusively" see what happened. But Kaman disagreed.

"I thought it was clear what he did," he said. "What the league did say was that it was an unprecedented event and they weren't sure how to handle it. I think that's kind of (ridiculous). I mean, a guy throws his mouthpiece and gets suspended for one game. A guy who bumps someone gets suspended for one game. Then this guy does this and it's a $10,000 fine."

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy thought Evans would be suspended, saying he was "surprised by" the decision. Dunleavy said he had heard this was "a more serious incident" than some other recent suspensions.

Clippers forward Elton Brand claimed it was a repeat incident by Evans.

"Somebody said he did it in college," Brand said. "They had tape."

Evans, who played at Iowa, declined to comment on that charge. But the Nuggets weren't shy about directing comments toward Evans.

"We've been killing him," Nuggets guard Greg Buckner said. "We can't believe he did it."

NENE'S SUMMER PLANS: Injured Nuggets big man Nene plans shortly to go to his native Brazil, where he will remain for a few months. He said he will be getting married, likely in July.

"It's a huge summer," said Nene, who gave his fiancee's name as Mel and said she is from Brazil. "I want to stay close to my family, close to my pastor."

Nene, who will be a restricted free agent, should sign a big contract during the off-season. He will continue to rehabilitate the torn right anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in the Nov. 1 opener.

Nene said he won't play five-on-five basketball during the summer, but he will shoot, run, lift weights and play soccer. He vowed to be at full strength by training camp.

VANDEWEGHE WATCH: The end of an era?

After watching the Nuggets lose in the first round for the third consecutive year, owner Stan Kroenke now must decide whether to re-sign Vandeweghe.

Vandeweghe's five-year contract ends Aug. 1. He is unsure whether he will be back but was disappointed that injuries prevented the Nuggets from reaching their full potential.

"I've addressed it a few times before," Vandeweghe said. "You don't always know what's going to happen. I'm sure that after (Monday night) at some point we'll sit down and talk about my situation. I don't think that's a question for right now."

ETC.: Forward Kenyon Martin, suspended for the remainder of the series after a Game 2 run-in with Karl, did not file a grievance with the NBA Players' Association. But Martin, who has 30 days to file from the April 25 suspension date, is expected to soon . . . Assistant Doug Moe, 67, said he's "not sure" whether he will return to the bench next season. "I haven't talked to anyone yet," Moe said. "Just have to see. I'm playing it by ear." . . . The Vegas Summer League, as expected, announced the Nuggets will be one of 16 teams competing in the July 6-14 event . . . Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was ninth in voting for Most Improved Player.

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