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A18 SPORTS
Saturday 8 June 2019
Continued from Page 17 every human would want
Lowry apparently wasn't to do," Raptors guard Fred
taking calls and, really, who VanVleet said.
could blame him. For that alone, his opinion
In the NBA's version of a needs to be heard. And
perfect world, it would all Lowry was not shy about
be wrapped up before the saying what he thinks
playoff series moves back should be done.
to Toronto. Adam Silver "A guy like that, showing his
had to be hoping the sus- true class, he shouldn't be a
pension and $500,000 fine part of our league," Lowry
were severe enough to al- said. "There's just no place
low the focus to return to for that."
basketball in a very com- A lot of other people agree,
petitive NBA Finals. including the very players
Well, guess what? They who most nights ply their
weren't. craft on a 94-by-50 foot
It's not enough to ban Ste- piece of hardwood sur-
vens for a season for shov- rounded by thousands of
ing and cursing Lowry af- fans crammed in as closely
ter the player crashed into as can be.
courtside seats while chas- They're on display like in no
ing a loose ball in the Rap- other sport, close enough
tors win. Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowery holds his hand to his face as he answers questions during a media for fans to chat with them
He needs to be gone from conference Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. and close enough to touch.
the NBA for good. Associated Press But that doesn't mean curs-
That means no more court- ing at them, and it doesn't
side seats. It means no needs to be more proac- This, of course, wasn't the Remember "Malice at the mean shoving them when
more ownership stake. tive than among the court- first time a fan inserted him- Palace," the 2004 game in they happen to come your
Because anything less side seats that not only self into the spotlight in the Detroit where the former way.
means the NBA will be bring fans into the middle NBA playoffs. Rapper Drake Ron Artest went into the The average fan under-
holding a team investor to of the action but at times was all over social media stands to beat up a fan stands that, for the most
a different standard than it right into the middle of after standing up and rub- who threw a drink at him? part. That's a big reason why
would an average fan. players themselves. bing Toronto coach Nick A brawl breaking out court- there haven't been more
No, one mistake doesn't Not just for regular fans, like Nurse's shoulders during the side in the NBA Finals would incidents over the years.
define a person even if it's the one who was banned series against Milwaukee. have made that seem like The fact a billionaire inves-
made on the biggest stage from Jazz games for life af- That, at least, was kind of a quibble. tor in the team couldn't fig-
possible, with a national ter making racial taunts at cute. This was simply dis- Instead, Lowry took the ure it out is baffling at best,
television audience looking Russell Westbrook from his gusting. high road, and walked sheer arrogance at worst.
on. And a Google check of courtside seats in Salt Lake The NBA should be grateful away. Instead of trying to Fortunately, though, there
the Warriors investor shows City during the regular sea- Lowry doesn't have a quick settle things man to man is a solution.
him to be a charitable guy son. trigger. Because what on the spot, he left it in Make the suspension indefi-
who has to be distraught But for anyone who thinks was an ugly confrontation the hands of the Warriors nite. Force Stevens to sell
about the way he acted in being able to pay a lot of could have much worse and the league to make his stake in the Warriors.
the heat of the moment. money for courtside seats had Lowry gone after Ste- amends. Make a statement with a
But wrong is wrong. And means a ticket to be part vens the way Stevens went "Kyle should get some type punishment everyone will
there's no place the NBA of the action. after him. of bonus for not doing what understand.q
AP source: Keuchel, Braves reach 1-year deal for about $13M

By RONALD BLUM allowing him to start his international signing bonus
NEW YORK (AP) — Free Braves tenure in the minors pool allocation.
agent pitcher Dallas as he builds up arm strength The New York Yankees of-
Keuchel and the Atlanta and stamina. fered a prorated share of
Braves have agreed to a A two-time All-Star, Keuchel the $17.9 million qualifying
one-year contract that had 216 strikeouts during offer amount (about $11
would pay the 2015 AL Cy his Cy Young season but million), a person familiar
Young Award winner about fanned only 153 batters last with their proposal said.
$13 million, a person famil- year, when he had a $13.2 That person spoke on con-
iar with the negotiations million, one-year deal. dition of anonymity be-
told The Associated Press. He is 76-63 with a 3.66 ERA cause New York's offer was
The person spoke on con- in seven major league sea- not made public.
dition of anonymity Thurs- sons, all with the Astros. After winning their first NL
day night because the Some teams were reluc- East title last year since
agreement was subject to tant to sign him because 2013, the Braves are 33-29,
Keuchel passing a physi- In this Oct. 16, 2018, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher of a drop in recent years in two games behind first-
cal, which is scheduled for Dallas Keuchel throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first some of his advanced met- place Philadelphia.
Friday. inning in Game 3 of a baseball American League Champion- rics, such as percentage of Atlanta's all 28-and-under
Keuchel's contract would ship Series in Houston. swings and misses. rotation thus far has been
include a salary of about Associated Press Interest increased begin- led by 21-year-old rookie
$21.21 million, and he ning Monday, when the right-hander Mike Soroka,
would get a prorated share 186-day season. son for Houston and turned amateur draft started and who is 6-1 with a 1.41 ERA in
that amounts to approxi- A 31-year-old left-hander, down a $17.9 million quali- a club signing him no lon- nine starts, and 25-year-old
mately $13 million because Keuchel was 12-11 with a fying offer in November. ger had to give up one or lefty Max Fried, who is 7-3
114 days will remain in the 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last sea- He has options remaining, two draft picks and possibly with a 3.68 ERA.q