NBA warns Blake Griffin, James Harden, more not to play in Philippines
By Bryan Rose
Just a few years ago NBA players were free to play in any recreational or exhibition game that they wanted. You’d often see players taking part in streetball games in New York or returning to their former college and participating in charity events. You’d even see some go across seas like a handful of players were expected to do in the coming weeks.
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But after the NBAPA and NBA agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement, players were no longer allowed to play in pickup basketball games – even if the end result was money going to charity. Given that, the league has warned multiple players including All-Star talents like Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and James Harden of the Houston Rockets from participating in a two-day tournament in the Philippines.
"The NBA warned a touring group of its stars that they could face financial fines for participating in clinics in Manila, Philippines, that include short scrimmages and games of “H-O-R-S-E,” league sources told Yahoo Sports.Several NBA stars, including James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard, were scheduled to participate in promotional appearances in Manila this week, and the NBA has told its Players Association that the event organizers failed to gain league approval, sources said."
The league has shown a bit of leniency in the past and has occasionally turned a blind eye to offseason tournaments if the proceeds were going to a good cause, however it’s believed that Manila will keep all of the profits from the game which the league is understandably upset over.
Yahoo Sports reports some players were set to make over $150,000 dollars for an appearance.
Kyle Lowry, Terrence Ross, DeMar Derozan, Tyson Chandler and Brandon Jennings were all warned in addition to the previously mentioned players.