CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers backup point guard Eric Snow was
suspended for one game without pay for his sideline clash with Cleveland coach Paul Silas during Thursday night's loss in
Detroit.
Snow will sit out Saturday night's game against the Boston Celtics. The suspension will cost him one game's paycheck, about
$54,000.
"It's unfortunate," Silas said after the team's morning
shootaround. "But it's over with and we move on."
On Thursday, Snow was visibly upset when Silas pulled him from the game in the second quarter after a turnover on an eight-second call and
he cursed while walking to Cleveland's bench. Silas didn't care for
Snow's display and angrily confronted him before sending him to the
locker room for the rest of the half.
Silas allowed Snow to rejoin his teammates on the bench after
halftime but didn't play him. Silas refused to comment after the
game, and repeatedly shot down a reporter's question about what occurred.
"Am I speaking Chinese?" Silas shouted in a memorable tirade
that received national attention.
Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson said that he consulted with Silas and owner Gordon Gund about the situation with Snow but that
it was solely Silas' decision to suspend the 10-year veteran.
"Whatever Paul felt was appropriate to deal with this, Gordon
and I support," Paxson said. "He was there, and ultimately as the
head coach, he has that authority with his team."
Snow, averaging 3.6 points and 3.5 assists, isn't the first
player to be disciplined by Silas, who appears to be well liked by
his players.
Last year, he suspended Cavs forward Ira Newble for one game
after a profanity-laced argument between the two after a game
in Atlanta. Silas also kept former Cleveland guard Ricky Davis away
from the team for a few days and didn't allow him or forward
Michael Stewart to accompany the Cavaliers for a road game.
Silas and Davis, who was traded to the Celtics last season, had
previous run-ins while they were together in Charlotte.
LeBron James said Silas' punishment is a good reminder to
players about who is in charge.
"It doesn't matter how you look at it, he still has the head
coaching title, which means we've got to respect him," James said.
"He's the head of everything, so we've got to respect his title."
James was a bit surprised that Snow, whose work in the community has made him one of the league's most respected players, would come under Silas' wrath.
"But we're all human beings," he said. "Everybody is going to
hit the boiling point one time, and this was his time."
Snow's suspension is the first bump in what has been a strong
start to the season for the Cavaliers. Cleveland is in first place
in the Central Division and has won nine straight games at Gund
Arena.
With Snow out, Dajuan Wagner will back up Jeff McInnis at the
point. Shooting guard Lucious Harris can fill in there if needed.