Joe Dumars made it clear to teams prior to this season that they would be held accountable if multiple players were resting during nationally televised games, yet Jacque Vaughn assumed he was abiding by rules when he rested Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson along with role player Dorian Finney-Smith during their 144-122 loss against Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 27.
Nets Rest 4 Players for Game vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Brooklyn Nets were fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating their Player Participation Policy this season, which came into effect this month. Four players – Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton as starters and Dorian Finney-Smith as reserve – were rested during a 144-122 loss against Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on December 27. Additionally three starters including Mikal Bridges, Royce O’Neale and Cam Thomas all played less than 12 minutes each in that contest.
Jacque Vaughn of the Nets defended his decision to rest four of their top players, noting they were dealing with injuries and maintenance issues after a long road trip. Vaughn further asserted that doing so would prevent their series against the Bucks from falling behind, who won game four 144-122 to tie things up at 2-2. But according to the NBA, their actions violated medical standards – marking it as the first team sanctioned under its new policy.
Nets Rest 3 Players for Game vs. Detroit Pistons
Before the season kicked off, the NBA unveiled its Player Participation Policy that encourages teams to utilize their best players more frequently. Under this new regulation, teams who rest multiple star players during nationally televised or tournament games or any other scenario deemed inequitable will face fines by the league – these fines could range anywhere from $250 – $10,000 depending on severity of violation and infraction of integrity of game rules.
The Nets’ decision to bench Dinwiddie, Claxton, and Johnson breached player participation rules and caused significant betting revenue loss; they claimed it was necessary for long-term health of their squad due to potential play in six games in nine days down the stretch.
However, the NBA does not agree with this reasoning and insists that three Nets players were available under medical standards stipulated in its Player Participation Policy which was approved by its Board of Governors prior to this season and requires teams to provide a doctor’s note for any absence that exceeds two consecutive games.
Nets Rest 2 Players for Game vs. Indiana Pacers
Though resting numerous players – including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving – the Brooklyn Nets managed to pull off an impressive 136-133 victory against an undefeated Indiana Pacers team on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, thanks to an outstanding showing by their second and third units. They further moved up in Eastern Conference standings thanks to this win.
Jacque Vaughn’s decision to bench key rotation members was in violation of the NBA’s participation policy implemented this season, which mandates teams be fined $100,000 for any first offense, $250,000 for second violations and $1 million tacked onto for each subsequent violation. As part of an investigation — including review from an independent physician — into Jacque Vaughn’s roster decisions in the game against Bucks last week against Nets (including Nicolas Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith — they could have played under participation rule conditions
Nets Rest 1 Player for Game vs. Toronto Raptors
The NBA recently implemented a policy to address teams resting healthy players for nationally broadcasted games, according to USA TODAY Sports. Now, teams caught infringing upon this rule will face fines.
According to the NBA, the Nets violated their new rule during their Dec. 27 loss against Milwaukee at Barclays Center. They benched starters Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Johnson and Nic Claxton as well as Dorian Finney-Smith and Khem Birch as key reserves – as well as Mikal Bridges, Royce O’Neale and Cam Thomas for some portions of the game.
The NBA determined that four Nets rotation players who did not suit up could have qualified under its medical standards, and issued them a $100,000 fine as punishment under a new rule introduced this season to reduce load management. It noted it will continue monitoring this issue and may implement further penalties as needed.
