Steve Blake fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language against fan – NBA News
The Los Angeles Lakers backup guard Steve Blake was fined $25,000 by the NBA for directing inappropriate language towards a fan. The incident took place with 29.2 seconds left in the Lakers game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at the Staples Center. Blake and the fan had an exchange of words after the fan, who was sitting courtside, said to him, “You need to knock down those open shots." Blake lost his cool and snapped at the fan with an inappropriate comment. He scored 8 points and two assists in the game, which the Lakers lost to the Clippers.
“It’s an unfortunate misunderstanding and a heat-of-the-moment type of thing. It's one of those things I'm not proud of, the way I handled it, and I look forward to growing as a person and moving forward from it,” said Blake after practice on Tuesday.
Blake met with the fan, Lance Jackson, and his father Steve Jackson, at the team practice facility. The two are long time season ticket holders of the Lakers and have a strong relationship with the team.
Many Lakers players have worked out at the Jackson’s private gym in their home, and some of the travelling teams have also practised at their residence.
“We got a chance to speak and talk about the situation, and I just let them know I was sorry for the way I acted. I didn't handle myself the way I want to, and we were able to talk and hopefully can build a relationship off of that,” added Blake.
Blake said that the emotional outburst was out of frustration that the Lakers were on course to lose their third consecutive game and remain winless since the season began. He added that he has never had an incident with a fan before in his career, and that he was hoping to mend ways and remain in composure from here on.
The $25,000 penalty imposed by the NBA stands as the league takes any incident involving the fans very seriously and immediately passes out a punishment or penalty to discourage such acts in the future.
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