OAKLAND — An indefensible, courtside shove by Warriors part-owner Mark Stevens against Toronto guard Kyle Lowry dominated Thursday’s media availability before the NBA Finals reach Game 4 on Friday at Oracle Arena.
Then, about an hour later, the NBA condemned it even further: Stevens drew a one-year ban and a $500,000 fine.
Lowry, understandably, had the harshest reaction before that discipline was announced, saying: “He’s not a good look for ownership. … He shouldn’t be part of our league.”
Players on both teams condemned Stevens’ actions, praised Lowry’s restraint to not physically engage and also questioned the NBA and Warriors’ initial discipline of banning Stevens from the remainder of these NBA Finals.