PORTLAND, Ore., April 29 (UPI) -- Forward Rasheed Wallace of the Portland Trail Blazers has been fined $30,000 by the NBA for violating the NBA's media interview access policies.
The fines come from two separate incidents.
Wallace was docked $10,000 for "failing to cooperate" during the media interview session following Sunday's 98-79 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of their Western Conference first-round series.
He was fined an additional $20,000 for not participating in Monday's interview period following the Blazers' practice.
The 10,000 fine came after Wallace mocked reporters after Sunday's victory at the Rose Garden by giving the same answer, "Both teams played hard," to the five questions he was asked.
"I feel sorry for the people asking the questions, and I feel sorry for him," Portland Coach Maurice Cheeks told the Portland Oregonian after Monday's practice. "Maybe we just don't put him in that position again. He doesn't really want to talk to the press, for whatever reason. I don't condone his actions, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but if you've got questions to ask, just ask me, and I'll try to relay his message as best as I can."
The team also was fined $50,000, $25,000 for each incident, for failing to ensure that its players complied with NBA media interview rules.
