Former commissioner calls Nets’ actions ‘inexcusable’
Former NBA commissioner David Stern agrees with Heat fans angry with the Brooklyn Nets for resting their players against the Chicago Bulls on the final night of the regular season.
The Heat, having defeated the Wizards, needed the Nets to defeat the Bulls to make the playoffs. But Brooklyn sat six players for various reasons, resting three starters, and lost by 39 points. The Heat and Bulls finished 41-41 and Chicago claimed the final playoff spot in the East on a tiebreaker.
In an interview on USA Today’s “NBA A to Z” podcast, Stern said what the Nets did was “inexcusable.” “I have no idea what was in the mind of the executives of the Brooklyn Nets,” Stern said. “None. There was sort of an agreement we had with our fans — and the players picked up on it, too — if you’re playing in a game of consequence, that has an impact, which is as good as it gets (then you shouldn’t rest players).
“Here we are, the Brooklyn Nets are out of the running. They have the lowest record in the sport. But they have an opportunity to weigh in on the final game with respect to Chicago. And they sit their starters? Really? It’s inexcusable in my view. I don’t think the commissioner maybe can, or even should, do anything about it. But shame on the Brooklyn Nets. They broke the pact.”
The Heat also benefited from teams resting players. Miami beat a Cleveland team that sat LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and the Wizards rested guards John Wall and Bradley Beal in that final game.
The difference was Cleveland and Washington were preparing for the playoffs. The Nets were on their way to an NBA-worst 20-62 record and out of the race.
“I think I’m going to give the Nets the benefit of the doubt that they did it without recognizing what they were doing. That’s all,” Stern said.
Noteworthy: The Heat will play three preseason games at AmericanAirlines Arena in the fall, all against Southeast Division opponents. Miami will open its home preseason schedule Oct. 1 against Atlanta at 6 p.m. The Heat will face Charlotte on Oct. 9 and Washington on Oct. 11.