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Shaq avoids suspension, draws $25K fine
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UPSET BIG MAN: Suns center Shaquille O’Neal has a few words for referee Ken Mauer after O’Neal was ejected during the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Pistons.
Darryl Webb, Tribune
Shaquille O’Neal avoided a suspension for his flagrant foul on Detroit's Rodney Stuckey but was fined $25,000 by the NBA Monday for his actions following the ejection.
Suns notebook: Suspension worries continue
Stu Jackson, the NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, said O’Neal was fined for verbal abuse of an official (Jack Nies) and failure to leave the floor in a timely manner during Sunday’s game.
O’Neal had to be coaxed off the floor by teammates, coaches and his own personal security official after he was ejected at 5:19 of the second quarter for what was called a Flagrant 2 foul.
The Suns expect that to be officially eased back to a Flagrant 1 foul for purposes of future ejections as a result of a point scale for such fouls.
It's been an expensive week for O’Neal, who was fined $35,000 last Friday for his participation in the skirmish with Houston that left teammates Matt Barnes (two games) and Steve Nash (one) suspended. O’Neal makes in excess of $20 million this season.
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