A small price to pay, considering the circumstances.
The NBA has fined Boston Celtics All-Star forward Kevin Garnett $25,000 for refusing to speak with reporters following a Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals on June 9.
Garnett walked off the court before the final buzzer and briefly appeared in the Celtics locker room before leaving without taking questions. He did not conduct a podium interview.
The major post-game talking points following Boston’s elimination was the future of its core. Garnett and guard Ray Allen are unrestricted free agents this summer and it’s possible neither returns to the Celtics. Rumors of a possible retirement have also floated around Garnett in recent months. Given those circumstances, Garnett, never a real fan of interviews, saved himself the hassle of putting into context five years of his life and dealing with endless questions about his future.
Garnett, 36, averaged 19.2 points and 10.3 rebounds in the 2012 playoffs. The Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs and the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Heat. Boston held a 3-2 series lead before losing both Games 6 and 7.
WRITTEN BYÂ Ben Golliver | NBA Blogger & FULL STORY HERE
