The NBA is deciding whether to fine the Nets for resting four players and then pulling three others early in a home loss to the Bucks last week, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Brooklyn opted to sit Nic Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson all sat out entirely. Coach Jacque Vaughn also pulled Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas and Royce O’Neale after the first quarter. None of those three returned to the game.
Bridges, the team’s leading scorer, admitted to reporters after the game he was “not a fan” of the move. Decisions such as these generally come from the front office and medical staff, as opposed to Vaughn and the players.
“My ideal world of communication is that I present the information to you, I’m upfront with it — and I’m talking about not just you guys, I’m talking about players when I have the communication with them — and that they understand that I have to make a choice, and the choice will be made,” Vaughn said, via Lewis.
“It’s just like with my kids, though; that doesn’t mean you always have to agree. And so the communication is what I want, and understand that I have to make a choice. And that’s my position as the head coach. But just like my kids doesn’t mean you have to agree with a decision.”
Regardless, the NBA wants front offices to quit forcing players to sit, and it could send a message by hitting the Nets in their pocketbook.
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