TORONTO -- The Portland Trail Blazers did not wait for
the NBA to act against forward Zach Randolph.
In an unorthodox move, the Trail Blazers on Saturday suspended
Randolph one game without pay for his actions at the end of
Friday's game at Indiana.
A native of Marion, Indiana, Randolph fouled out with 15 seconds
left in the 108-95 loss. As he walked off the court, he made
an obscene gesture toward fans behind the scorer's table.
After the game, Randolph regretted his actions.
"I was frustrated there at the end of the game," he said. "That
shouldn't happen and I apologize for that and it won't happen
again."
In virtually all cases of players exhibiting unacceptable
behavior toward fans, the NBA issues the punishment, whether it
be a fine, suspension or both.
According to a team spokesman, the Trail Blazers -- who have had
a handful of similar issues with their players over the last
couple of seasons -- initiated the action and discussed it with
league officials, who were in approval.
Portland's leading scorer (25.9 points) and rebounder (10.2),
Randolph will sit out Sunday's contest vs. the Toronto Raptors.
The suspension will cost him $133,333, or 1/90th of his annual
salary of $12 million.