LOS ANGELES — Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been suspended for five games next season for his flagrant foul on Mavericks guard J.J. Barea in Los Angeles’ final playoff game.
The NBA announced the suspension Tuesday, two days after Bynum was ejected for the foul late in the two-time defending champions’ 36-point loss to the Mavericks in Game 4. The league also fined Bynum $25,000 for ripping off his jersey while heading to the locker room, which means the suspension will cost Bynum more than $700,000.
A contrite Bynum said his actions “don’t represent me, my upbringing, this franchise or any of the Laker fans out there that want to watch us and want us to succeed.
“I want to actually apologize to J.J. Barea for doing that. I’m just glad that he wasn’t seriously injured in the event. All I can say is, I’ve looked at (a replay), it’s terrible, and it definitely won’t be happening again.”
Bynum hit Barea with a flying elbow in the ribs while the Dallas guard drove to the basket for a layup in the fourth quarter. Barea wasn’t seriously hurt, but he stayed down for an extended time while Bynum left the court.
Bird still Pacers president
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers are keeping Larry Bird as team president.
The team also announced David Morway will stay on as general manager, but the Pacers now will decide how interim coach Frank Vogel fits into their plans. Vogel stepped in at midseason and had a 20-18 regular-season record. The Pacers challenged the Bulls in the playoffs before losing their first-round series 4-1.
Footnotes.
Heat president Pat Riley and Bulls general manager Gar Forman are co- recipients of the NBA executive of the year award.
• Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson was scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, a procedure that’s expected to alleviate chronic knee pain.
The Associated Press
