CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - When the NBA announced before the season it planned to crack down on complaining by players toward officials, Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson played a starring role in a video sent to teams showing behavior that would no longer be tolerated.
Now the volatile Jackson is serving as a costly example of just how serious the NBA is on the matter.
The league suspended Jackson for one game without pay on Tuesday for verbally abusing referee Eli Roe and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection from Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee.
The suspension _ to be served Wednesday when Charlotte visits New Orleans _ will cost Jackson about $103,000 based on his $8.45 million salary this season. It comes on top of the $50,000 fine Jackson received earlier this month for verbally abusing officials after a loss at Detroit.
Jackson, averaging a team-best 18.1 points, left the practice court Tuesday before reporters were allowed in and before the suspension was announced. He told a group of reporters a day earlier he gets singled out for his direct personality.
“When things are not fair, I speak my mind,” Jackson said. “I’ve never been a guy not to speak my mind and I guess people don’t like that.”
Jackson has been called for six technical fouls this season, not counting one that was later rescinded. That’s tied with Orlando’s Dwight Howard for the most in the NBA. Players serve suspensions once they reach 16 technical fouls on the season.
Jackson received consecutive technicals by Roe midway through the first quarter against the Bucks as he complained of being held and grabbed. Teammates Gerald Wallace and Nazr Mohammed had to usher Jackson off the court.
Referee Steve Javie hit Jackson with a technical foul on Nov. 5 against the Pistons and the league said he then shouted at the officials after the game, leading to his first fine.
“If you all saw what happened, $50,000, that’s a lot of money. But welcome to the life of Stephen Jackson,” he said after the fine was announced Nov. 6.
Jackson, acquired by Charlotte from Golden State before last season, has had trouble controlling his temper throughout his career. He was involved in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004, has clashed with coaches and served a one-game suspension while with the Warriors in 2009 when he reached 16 technical fouls.
The suspension will leave Charlotte short-handed against the Hornets, but Wallace said Tuesday despite a bruised left elbow that knocked him out of Saturday’s game.
D.J. Augustin (sinus infection) also said he’ll play after missing practice Monday.
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