Karl to Cuban: Leave my players alone
Coach angry after Mavericks owner confronted Smith
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published January 14, 2009 at 10:59 a.m.
Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood / Nbae/Getty Images
Mark Cuban, left, talks with the Nuggets' Dahntay Jones, center, and Chauncey Billups on Tuesday.
Mark Cuban
Who should be suspended for their actions during Tuesday's Nuggets-Mavericks game?
Nuggets coach George Karl loves Mark Cuban as an owner.
Doesn't think too much of him as an interactive fan.
"In general, I think Mark is good for the game," Karl said Wednesday. "He's always, I think, trying to make the league better. He's had the courage to take on the league office and the referees. I think all that's good, but don't mess with my players."
Upset at Nuggets guard J.R. Smith for throwing an elbow at Mavericks swingman Antoine Wright late in the second quarter Tuesday night, Cuban confronted Smith as the teams left the court at halftime.
In an e-mail sent to the Rocky Mountain News early Wednesday morning, Cuban talked about the circumstances surrounding the exchange.
"I do take exception with players throwing elbows that could have severely injured one of our players," Cuban wrote. "I was very cordial in letting Mr. Smith know that I will be turning it into the league, and I expected him to be suspended for it."
An NBA spokesman said league officials are reviewing Smith's flying elbow as well as Cuban's actions during and after the game.
Smith, who left the team's practice court without talking with reporters Wednesday, tried to extend an olive branch to Cuban after the game by sending him a pair of autographed shoes.
"I sent them back, saying he should sell them, if you could get anything for them, to help pay for the fine he was going to face," Cuban wrote.
Karl didn't expect the 23-year-old shooting guard to face disciplinary action.
"I think this is a lot of . . . Cuban just going off on something that happens almost every game," Karl said. "There was no contact. It wasn't even close. It was more of a . . . 'He hit me, I'm showing him. I'm not stepping down.' But nothing happened."
Cuban, no stranger to fines, suspensions or controversy since he bought the Mavericks in 2000, scoffed at that logic.
"I have a lot of respect for George, but it's a shame that he thinks it's just part of the game to throw elbows anywhere near another player's head. It's not," Cuban wrote after reading Karl's comments.
"There are sportsmanship rules that specifically prevent it. I don't think it's very good for the game if guys are throwing elbows above the shoulders at each other and justifying it by saying they missed.
"For comparison, there are rules against elbows to the head in MMA (mixed martial arts); it's considered too dangerous. The last thing we need is a player throwing an elbow thinking he wouldn't make contact, and severely injuring another player."
In his earlier e-mail, Cuban said he did not believe he was out of line talking to Smith.
"I have conversations with a lot of players," he said. "Often. It's no big deal. . . . It happens pretty much every game. All very cordial."
Karl wasn't buying it.
"Stay away from my players, stay off the court, don't get involved," Karl said. "Don't tell me you've done it before. If you've done it before, it was wrong before and it's wrong now.
"If you want to interact, interact with the league office and interact with your own players, but don't mess with my players. There's no room for it. If this was a normal fan, he would have been banned from the building and maybe not ever let back in the game. When the game starts, he is a fan. After the game, he's an owner, but during the game, he's a fan."
Cuban clearly was an unhappy fan after the Nuggets' 99-97 victory at the Pepsi Center.
The deciding points came on two free throws by Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, who was fouled by Jason Terry with 2.2 seconds remaining.
Mavericks players and coaches argued Billups kicked out his leg, drawing contact with Terry.
After the game, Cuban was seen yelling and pointing as he walked off the court, but he said the referees were not the target of his anger.
"That last call on Chauncey could have gone either way," Cuban wrote. "I was talking to someone else (with the Nuggets) who was quite clear in their pleasure of their team winning the game and mocking the fact they got away with the calls."
By beating the Mavericks for the third time this season, the Nuggets (26-13) also walked away with the head-to-head tiebreaker against Dallas (22-16).
Regardless of playoff seeding, neither team is likely to back down when the season series concludes March 27 in Dallas.
Maybe they can play that game in an MMA octagon.
Suns at Nuggets
When: 8:30 tonight.
Where: Pepsi Center.
TV/radio: TNT; KCKK-AM (1510).
Probable starting lineups
Phoenix (22-13) Pos. Ht. Pts.
33 Grant Hill F 6-8 10.4
1 Amare Stoudemire F 6-10 21.6
32 Shaquille O'Neal C 7-1 17.7
23 Jason Richardson G 6-6 17.4
13 Steve Nash G 6-3 14.7
Coach: Terry Porter
Denver (26-13) Pos. Ht. Pts.
1 J.R. Smith F 6-6 10.0
4 Kenyon Martin F 6-9 12.8
31 Nene C 6-11 14.8
30 Dahntay Jones G 6-6 6.1
7 Chauncey Billups G 6-3 18.5
Coach: George Karl
Injuries: Phoenix - None reported. Denver - F Carmelo Anthony (broken right hand) and C Steven Hunter (knee surgery) are out.
* Notes: The undersized Nuggets likely will throw double- teams at O'Neal, and there's a possibility 7-footer Johan Petro could be used in spot minutes. "I love challenges," Petro said. "Shaq coming to town is definitely a challenge. Any time the coach feels like he needs me, I'll be ready to go." . . . Karl would like to see Smith and Linas Kleiza be more aggressive as they try to solve minislumps. The two are a combined 5-of-39 in the past two games. "Any time a guy is struggling, I recommend taking the ball to the basket more than shooting jump shots," Karl said. "But both are fairly confident and stubborn on taking too many jump shots. The ability to get to the rim can make you a great shooter." . . . The Nuggets have won three in a row against the Suns at the Pepsi Center but have lost 12 of the past 16 in the series overall. . . . Nene (61.8 percent) and O'Neal (58.7) rank 1-2 in the NBA in field-goal percentage. . . . The Suns are 9-3 with Richardson in the lineup. He was acquired Dec. 10 in a trade that sent Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to Charlotte. . . . The Suns are 2-8 in nationally televised games this season.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
January 14, 2009
11:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
How did Smith miss his court date?
Even I knew about it well in advance just from reading this bankrupt fish wrap.
Smith needs to check himself.
January 14, 2009
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
FriendlyFire writes:
Time to grow up jr
January 14, 2009
11:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
earlbowden writes:
Why the H3ll is Mark Cuban on the court? I thought the NBA had banned that egomainiac from going onto the court? Hasn't he been fined about $10 million already for doing stupid shiite like that?
January 14, 2009
11:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
PaleoConservative writes:
I expect Mark Cuban to go to jail for insider trading:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wash...
January 14, 2009
11:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Devil_Dog writes:
More accurately Grow UP Cuban. I saw that game and Cuban is a liar. He charged onto the court and had to be "guided" off the floor by a Dallas assistant while he yelled back at an official. Dallas was given every call in the second half except the last one. And event though the call was incorrect (called on the wrong person) Chauncy rightly went to the free throw line. Kidd put a hand on his waist and shoved him after he left the ground, on an attempted jump shot. And if you look at any NBA game elbows are being thrown all the time, some are dirty, some are by accident, some are in retaliation, most are over looked. But what you don't see is an owner running onto the floor bad mouthing ref's and threatening players. And yes informing a player of his intention to "turn him in to the league" is a threat. It's designed to throw that player off his game. Cuban is just plain wrong.
January 14, 2009
11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
wj_nugs writes:
Nice reference Paleo. Go make friends with Joseph Nacchio you criminal and stay off the court. I hope they fine him $100K, even though that is pocket change for him...
January 14, 2009
11:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
Cuban is a crybaby among owners in the NBA. I wonder if the RMN should've asked him about Dirk Nowitzki's flagrant smack to the head of an opponent earlier this season that did connect...... and if "Dirty" Nowitzki only got suspended for one game, why should JR get suspended at all? Cuban can give the RMN all the excuses he wants, but I saw what he did and it doesn't fit with his version of the story. He went at the Nuggets end of the court (and since he's not a player or coach, what's he even doing on the court?) and was yelling and saying "That's bu**s*it" and it doesn't fly for him to be okay with his conduct while criticizing the conduct of his team's opponent.
What Cuban should expect is for him to receive a big fine from the NBA!
January 14, 2009
12:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cwillyrun1 writes:
devildog, you're right, Kidd did push Billups in the hip with his hand, and after that Terry's right side of the body hit Billups on the left side during the shot...... and Terry can't legitimately dispute it when game film shows the facts. Bunch of whiners......... they can't handle losing a close game.
January 14, 2009
12:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
avsfan71085 writes:
Cuban you're such a little B****!!!! All you do is whine, my gosh you drive me crazy!!
"And I didn't run onto the court. I walked off the court the same way I do after every game, right next to our coaches."
really? you're jumping around like a madman, pointing your finger and screaming. I agree that's how you usually exit the court because you're an idiot. But hardly just "walking off the court"
January 14, 2009
12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
shama009 writes:
For those of you that are questioning why Smith wasn't in court, his lawyer told him that he didn't need to go to a pretrial hearing.
January 14, 2009
12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Candice writes:
I was at the game last night just a few feet away from Mark Cuban. He was one of the biggest jerks I have ever seen! He was yelling at the refs every chance he got. He was trying to call the shots left and right. He was yelling at the coaches and the players also! What an A$$! But bottom line is our Nuggets won! Its kinda funny cause not only can Mark Cuban ref and coach he can't dance! lol Like people were sayin last night go smoke another one!
January 14, 2009
12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
jersey writes:
Once again I say that there should be a lifetime ban for this guy given his past record. Other major sports have done so when the situation called for it with their out of control owners who became an embarrasment. The NBA is behind the times with this guy and should follow their lead for the betterment of the league ASAP. Fining this guy with his deep pockets is like removing one gold bar from Fort Knox as to the affect. Enough is enough!
January 14, 2009
12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spider writes:
Now, now....if you get Cuban PO'd he just might buy the Pepsi Center and not allow the Nuggets to play there anymoree.
January 14, 2009
12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
MGD writes:
Kidd could have gotten called for a couple of fouls on that last play, Terry got it instead. Dirk has gotten that call hundreds of times where he brings his knee up, creates contact and gets the call because he is the Dirk.
Have to find the elbow toss on the web, I already deleted the game from the DVR. Anyone have a link to it anywhere?
Cuban is a mennace.
January 14, 2009
12:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
shama009 writes:
Does anyone know what Cuban's e-mail address is? I like to talk some crap to him.
January 14, 2009
1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
pete10000ft writes:
Denver wishes they had an owner who cares....
January 14, 2009
1:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
shama009 writes:
Your right pete, our owner pays the luxury tax every year just for the hell of it. He doesn't care about the team winning. Moron!!!
January 14, 2009
1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
entitledtomyown writes:
I absolutely hate Mark Cuban just because he's worth billions, he has no authority in the NBA so therefore JR should of told him see me after the game. I would be more than pleased if this guy to see this Cuban jerk get physically beaten to death and I mean BEAT!!!! This is just another case of a rich white guy trying to make another young african-american kid look bad!!! PUNK!!!!!
January 14, 2009
1:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
shama009 writes:
Well the race card has finally been pulled...
January 14, 2009
1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
MGD writes:
I think the league is so sick of Cuban that they might ignore this just to spite him and then fine Cuban for going on the court screaming at anyone and everyone.
Sure he cares and has a lot of passion but he makes the game and the team about Cuban. He is a good owner in that he sticks up for his team and allows the team to pay good players but he hurts them with his antics. Still, I would trade jobs and bank accounts with him any day.
January 14, 2009
1:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
I am NO Cuban fan, but WOW. entitledtomyown get a grip.
He is an owner of a NBA franchise. He has authority in the NBA. True not authority to be what he has been, a complete arse, but he has the authority to file a grievence to the NBA.
I did not see the halftime incident, but I did see what he did at the end of the game. He needs to be banned from courtside and fined heavily if he can not control his behaviour. This is completely unacceptable. Not because he is a billionaire, but because it is unprofessional and not what the NBA should look like.
January 14, 2009
1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
MGD
Very true. He is an avid fan and supportive of his team. He was going to buy the Cubs I think. What if he were to buy the Rockies???? I bet if the Denver and Colorado region took a poll on whether or not they would like CUBAN or the MONFORTS, I think in the end they would vote for Cuban.
January 14, 2009
1:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
KP13 writes:
JR should have sent over a signed copy of Eddie Murphys Trading Places!
Cuban is P&**%Y....he ran out on the court crying like a little kid last night.......Dallas lost, and is not having the season you wished for Mark....so get over it!
I hope he has to spend 100K of the 750K he kept with his little inside trader event......
Dumb A&%
January 14, 2009
1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
shornsby63 writes:
I remember reading about 2 or 3 weeks ago that a reporter asked JR about appearing in court. JR said that he didn't think he had to. I know he has to grow up, but shouldn't there be someone working for the Nuggets that could follow up for him and get him on a plane? We all know what JR's weaknesses are -- he's a knucklehead.
As for Cuban, I'm sure he feels that the best defense is a good offense (kind of how is crappy team plays) By singling out JR, it takes some of the attention away from his obvious shortcomings.
January 14, 2009
2:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
expatman writes:
Mark "expects" Smith to be suspended? As someone once said Mark, "Cr*p in one hand and expect in the other and see which one has the most in it"
January 14, 2009
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
TopGun writes:
Boohoo Cuban! I'm tired of seeing this moron prance around arenas like he's some sort of saint to basketball. Stay in the crowd like the rest of the fans, especially when you're in somebody else's house. Quit acting like a pedestrian (common man), because you're not. You're still a Suit no matter how you try to dress.
January 14, 2009
2:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
TopGun writes:
Somebody call wine one one, we're going to need a whambulance!!!
January 14, 2009
2:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoDan writes:
Cuban should be banned from the Arena...
January 14, 2009
3:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
cdmdenver writes:
CUBAN-Insider Trading-Sounds like "Your Guilty"!
January 14, 2009
3:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
jonnyrotten writes:
Cuban is a spoiled, rich, insider trading, lying, cheating, S.O.B. Maybe Cuban should have been paying attention to Dirk's final dunk of the game to tie the score at 97. He must have have seen Chris Andersen being hit in the back by Brandon Bass to clear Dirk's path to the rim. This was a cheap shot that had potential to cause a "serious injury". I doubt Marky will include that on the tape he sends to the league.
January 14, 2009
3:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
analytixman writes:
Mark Cuban is a punk. Enough said.
January 14, 2009
3:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
dano writes:
JR and his head is gone. Cuban is going to do whatever he wants to do, and good for him. If you owned the Mavs and didn't give a darn about what anyone thought, think what you'd do.
More thoughts on JR missing a court date! What, why and how?
January 14, 2009
3:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
shama009 writes:
Dano, JR's lawyer told him that he didn't need to be at the pretrial hearings. Cuban's an *ss, and you know it.
January 14, 2009
4:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
RockLobster writes:
dano writes: "If you owned the Mavs and didn't give a darn about what anyone thought,"
That would make me a major-league A**, just like Cuban!
January 14, 2009
4:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
gylizard1 writes:
Like 13 of his 14 shots..his elbow misfired as well..I thought JR was starting to get his act together..but clearly..his mind is elsewhere! This is a make or break year for JR..I don't think he will be a Nugget next year..let someone else deal with his immaturity. You can see why Byron Scott sent him packing now..we should do the same. He is far too much of a distraction for this team.
January 14, 2009
5:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
TYoungman writes:
Is Mark Cuban really preaching about "The professional thing to do"? That's like Tonya Harding extolling the virtues of sportsmanship!
Here's a thought, Mark: "The professional thing to do" would be to NOT run on to the court at Pepsi Center and start spraying saliva everywhere after the final buzzer. "Who is that, Dad?" asked my eight year old son who was at his second NBA game.
I wanted to tell him - "that's no one son, just a drunk and classless fan"; but he will learn the truth, either on the internet, from a classmate, etc. So I had to give it to him straight - that this fool was the owner of an NBA team. SAD.
January 14, 2009
5:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
bassman writes:
I don't remember Cuban complaining about the elbows Karl Malone used to throw around or the relentlessly dirty play of John Stockton. What a hypocrite.
January 14, 2009
7:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
KornScat writes:
Lol, this shows how much knowledge Cuban has about MMA. It's not illegal for elbows to the head, has he ever watched a ufc event. Just a few huge elbow masters of late were Matt Hughes, Tito Ortiz, and Randy Coutoure. Good analogy though, maybe you should research a little about the stuff you say before you just go ranting off at the mouth. Which probably means you were wrong in confronting JR.
January 14, 2009
7:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
ryan13636 writes:
Throwing elbows is only acceptable if Dirk is the aggressor, right Cubes? Jackass.
January 14, 2009
8:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
jrhino writes:
Whish they were comming back this year. Would love to see Rocky have some fun with ego boy.
January 14, 2009
9:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheWonderTwin writes:
Let's see. Nowitzki gets suspended for throwing an elbow against the Jazz's Harpring in last December. Nowitzki clocks Kirilenko last March and also gets suspended. Jerry Stackhouse engages Kirk Snyder in a fight after a game in April 2005 and earns himself a suspension....
But oh, when someone else's player doesn't even MAKE contact with a Dallas player on an elbow, Cuban gets hysterical and pouts.
He is really a piece of work. NBA should fine him for aggravated banality.
January 15, 2009
5:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
blindermind writes:
Gee, I wonder what would have happened to me if i went anywhere near the court and gave stuff to a player. Security would have beaten me with a night stick. Most people cant even walk by the court without security showing up. To me, at a road game, he should be treated just like everyone else. At home, he can do and does what ever he wants.
January 15, 2009
9:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
TONE writes:
Well I think Cuban is trying to tamper with our player...hahahahaha
He is trying to get JR in trouble so we can try to trade or let him go. I'll bet if that happen, Cuban will be the 1st one to pick him up. He can see the talent there is in Jr.
As far as Cuban being 'stupid' I don't hink so. But him being out of control fan/owner durring games. I do think he is. His competitive natures kicks in and he forget that he is just a fan. I guess if I was the owner, I would be going nutts too if my team is losing or lose on close close call like that.
I guess maybe that is why our owner doesn't sit at court side. He like to watch it from a distant. Because he know his competitve nature might make him look like cuban also.
It seems like most of these billionaires are very competative in nature but just that most are not athlete competatively.
I don't know what is worst, having Cuban in a VIP box or him on court side. VIP box will have him flying through the glass window and possible of glass innjurying bystander in the crowd or him rushing to the court and not hurting the crowd.
January 15, 2009
9:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
kmeissner writes:
TONE you think that the Nugs owner actually watches the games? Give me a break. I don't think I've ever seen him at the games. It's just a revenue stream for him.
At least Cuban sits courtside at EVERY game and cheers his team on.
And on that note, I need to take a shower. I feel so dirty after giving Cuban any praise at all.
GO NUGS!
January 15, 2009
10:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
jpsparks writes:
Our owner not being at the game? Are you kidding me?! He's sitting on the end right behind the Nuggets bench with his son every game. You just don't notice him because he refrains from such antics that makes certain owners look like idiots.
January 15, 2009
11 a.m.
Suggest removal
jbuff writes:
The fact is that Kidd had his hands all over Chauncey while he was in the act, didn't matter who got called for the foul. Seems like Mr. Cuban is of the opinion that ownership brings priviledges with other teams players, it doesn't. If you want to talk to our players, sign them and pay them. I doubt seriously that the owner of the Denver Nuggets will ever act in public or outside of the profesional ownership standards that is the norm of the NBA. Rather than blogging fans to death with his "I'm a good guy" stuff, his players are an investment, assets and to paint the picture that he is concerned beyond that aspect, sorry I'm not buying it. I guess we'll see who wins in the "you're going to get fined sweepstakes".
January 15, 2009
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
WillyNilly writes:
You know I've read that comment here before, about Stan not being at the games, and it was corrected then too. Yes he's always there, but he just watches the game, doesn't become a part of it like Cuban.
Go and google his picture so you know what he looks like. Let me help you with that - go to google.com...click on images...type in Stan Kroenke...and voila! Many pics of Stan the Man. Then you will know what he looks like, and maybe notice he's always there.
And for those asking why JR missed his court date, sheesh, there's an article right here in the Nuggets section explaining it all, been there since yesterday. Yeah he's a crazy kid but if you're going to dog him for something, take a minute to collect your facts. We love watching him play, and after the autographed shoe bit with Cuban, we love him a little bit more.
January 15, 2009
1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
jersey writes:
WillyNilly: As for Kronke being there and refraining from the antics of the Cubester, that's all well and good. However, there is a gray area between being the village idiot and being a comatose wiseman. Show a little gumption every now and then. It would work wonders for the blood circulation!