New Orleans Pelicans executive David Griffin is fined by the NBA after slamming officials for Zion Williamson's latest injury
Earlier today, the NBA released a statement announcing that New Orleans Pelicans executive David Griffin has been fined for public criticism of officials regarding Zion Williamson's injury. Griffin is the Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations.
The New Orleans Pelicans executive had blamed a lack of protection from officials for Zion Williamson’s latest injury, a fracture in his left hand that has forced him out “indefinitely.”
Williamson was seen clutching his finger as he attempted to go for a rebound in the Pelicans’ victory over the Golden State Warriors.
NBA releases statement regarding David Griffin's comments for New Orlean Pelican's Zion Williamson
Earlier today, the NBA released the following statement regarding David Griffin’s comments through the NBA's President of League Operations, Byron Spruell.
"New Orleans Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin has been fined $50,000 for public criticism of the officiating and comments detrimental to the NBA."
David Griffin had made the comments during a scathing 13-minute press conference on May 7th, wherein he claimed that Zion Williamson’s injury was a result of an “accumulation of hits.”
He also remarked that “more violence is encouraged against Zion than any other player since the days of Shaquille O’Neal."
"I believe he probably suffered the injury over a period of time. It's a striking injury. It's a blunt-force injury. He was being beaten on the hand over and over and over again. For me to tell you one time, I don't think I can do that. I don't think he knows one time."
"I'm really frustrated because this was avoidable. We told the NBA through every means available to us, through sending in film, through speaking to everybody in the officials department and everybody in basketball operations, that the way they were officiating Zion was going to get him injured. And quite frankly, he's injured because of the open season that there's been on Zion Williamson in the paint.”
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently at a critical stage. They are 11th in the Western Conference and are still in the hunt for a place in the Play-In tournament.
However, injuries to Williamson and Brandon Ingram have come at a delicate time, leaving the Pelicans in need of a change in fortunes to make their way into the post-season.
