Clippers' Austin Rivers fined $25K for throwing cushion that hit fan in stands (Ball Don't Lie)

[Yahoo! Sports - NBA -]

The NBA fined Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers $25,000 on Thursday for "throwing a seat cushion into the spectator stands" during Wednesday's season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings. [ Yahoo Fantasy Basketball: Sign up for a league today ]

The cushion chuck in question came at the 7:47 mark of the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena on Wednesday night, in the opening game of the season for both the Clippers and the Kings:

The woman struck by the cushion was a Kings season ticket-holder, according to CSNBayArea.com : The Clippers travel with their own seat cushions, which are five or six inches thick to make life on the bench more comfortable for tall NBA players. It made for a substantial projectile, which knocked out one of the woman's contact lenses. Following a Clippers timeout with the Kings storming back into the game, Rivers was seen punching a chair on the end of the bench before launching the seat cushion. He did not look up to see where it landed. [ BDL's 2015-16 NBA Season Previews : All 30 teams, all in one place]

The cushion connecting with a fan prompted the league to take a closer look and ultimately levy the fine, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY : The situation caused a stir among Kings fans on hand, as the woman who was hit by the cushion in the second row was clearly experiencing discomfort in her eyes for quite some time after the incident. Rivers finished with three points (0-for-3 from the field, 3-for-4 from the foul line), two rebounds, two steals, one assist, one block and one turnover in 16 minutes off the bench in L.A.'s 111-104 victory . He signed a two-year, $6.4 million contract this summer to stay with a Clippers club run by his father, head coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers, after he joined the team in a midseason trade this past January . - - - - - - -

Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YourManDevine Stay connected with Ball Don't Lie on Twitter @YahooBDL , "Like" BDL on Facebook and follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr for year-round NBA talk, jokes and more.

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[VF21]

Okay, lawyer peeps. Can the fan sue Austin Rivers?

 

[kennadog]

If she suffered financial loss, or injury or something, I suppose she could sue.

She should have thrown the cushion back at him.

 

[VF21]

I posited the question to Michael McCann on Twitter. Here's the exchange:

@McCannSportsLaw Does the fan hit by the seat cushion potentially have a cause of action against Rivers?

Michael McCann ‏@McCannSportsLaw 1h1 hour ago
@vladefan21 Yes. Fan could argue that while she assumed certain risks by attending an NBA game, she didn't assume being hit by seat cushion.

Michael McCann ‏@McCannSportsLaw 1h1 hour ago
@vladefan21 That said, if she sues Rivers/Clippers/NBA 1) it's not clear her injuries were significant + 2) her ticket includes disclaimers.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Well at least it is clear that little Rivers is on the right team...

 

[KingMilz]

The fan was not hurt and Austin took photos with her afterwards and said sorry pretty embarrassing that a guy can get a 25,000 fine for something so ridiculously minor in particular when he didn't even mean to do it. But that's sadly the world we live in right now. It's not like Rivers is making big money either 25,000 is fairly sizable chuck of whatever chump change (by NBA standards) he's making.

 

[VF21]

The fan was not hurt and Austin took photos with her afterwards and said sorry pretty embarrassing that a guy can get a 25,000 fine for something so ridiculously minor in particular when he didn't even mean to do it. But that's sadly the world we live in right now. It's not like Rivers is making big money either 25,000 is fairly sizable chuck of whatever chump change (by NBA standards) he's making.

You may think it's minor but I disagree. There is NO reason Rivers should get away with it. It's childish and unprofessional. He didn't mean to do it sounds like an excuse a three-year-old would use. Austin Rivers is a professional basketball player AND the son of a longtime coach. The only thing that's embarrassing is how Doc Rivers should feel right now about what his son did. The fine is definitely appropriate. What if next time it's a chair?

 

[randymoss1881]

You may think it's minor but I disagree. There is NO reason Rivers should get away with it. It's childish and unprofessional. He didn't mean to do it sounds like an excuse a three-year-old would use. Austin Rivers is a professional basketball player AND the son of a longtime coach. The only thing that's embarrassing is how Doc Rivers should feel right now about what his son did. The fine is definitely appropriate. What if next time it's a chair?

Ya Pretty mind boggling that someone would call this minor he should have got suspended. What happens if tgat was a man he hit and than the fan decided to throw something back. Can get ugly fast all cause cry baby rivers is immature dude bitches every call like he not a 12th man.

 

[KingMilz]

Ya Pretty mind boggling that someone would call this minor he should have got suspended. What happens if tgat was a man he hit and than the fan decided to throw something back. Can get ugly fast all cause cry baby rivers is immature dude bitches every call like he not a 12th man.

Would you feel the same if that same thing occurred to DMC and we needed him for the next game to decide if we got into the playoffs or not? There was no harm no intent and he was apologetic and took the time to take a photo and be nice to the person he accidentally hit (clearly he didn't think that pillow would fly that far). I bet if this one was off our players no one would be calling for a suspension.

I hate the Clippers and Rivers just as much as anyone but you can''t fine a guy 25ooo dollars for that let alone suspended him.

Players better be careful about throwing there jerseys into the stands now when they get ejected if they hit someone could be a 25000 dollar fine.......

 

[fansinceday1]

VF, if you got hit by that seat cushion you would sue? Thats what I'm taking from this conversation. If I'm correct I find it absolutely disgusting. Why is it that this kind of thing brings out a call to sue?

 

[King Baller]

The fan was not hurt and Austin took photos with her afterwards and said sorry pretty embarrassing that a guy can get a 25,000 fine for something so ridiculously minor in particular when he didn't even mean to do it. But that's sadly the world we live in right now. It's not like Rivers is making big money either 25,000 is fairly sizable chuck of whatever chump change (by NBA standards) he's making.

What do you think would happen if Cousins did the same thing in LA?

 

[ESP47]

People are advocating suing because someone got hit with a cushion?

Ok if the cushion tore her retina or caused some sort of serious injury, I can see suing in that case. But the cushion knocked out her contact lens and gave her a bit of an "owee" for a minute. Rivers obviously apologized and made things better with her. He should get hit with a minimal fine by the NBA and that should be it.

You don't sue people because it "could" have been worse. Rivers made a mistake, owned up to it and that should be that. Boggles my mind at how sue happy people have become. A rich guy throws a cushion and the first thing that goes through their minds is how much money they can extract from them. Over a thrown cushion? Come on.

 

[Bricklayer]

I posited the question to Michael McCann on Twitter. Here's the exchange:

@McCannSportsLaw Does the fan hit by the seat cushion potentially have a cause of action against Rivers?

Michael McCann ‏@McCannSportsLaw 1h1 hour ago
@vladefan21 Yes. Fan could argue that while she assumed certain risks by attending an NBA game, she didn't assume being hit by seat cushion.

Michael McCann ‏@McCannSportsLaw 1h1 hour ago
@vladefan21 That said, if she sues Rivers/Clippers/NBA 1) it's not clear her injuries were significant + 2) her ticket includes disclaimers.

Let's not encourage more nonsense suits, shall we not?

 

[Hadlowe]

Let's not encourage more nonsense suits, shall we not?

Isn't that job security for you?

 

[Warhawk]

Would you feel the same if that same thing occurred to DMC and we needed him for the next game to decide if we got into the playoffs or not? There was no harm no intent and he was apologetic and took the time to take a photo and be nice to the person he accidentally hit (clearly he didn't think that pillow would fly that far). I bet if this one was off our players no one would be calling for a suspension.

I hate the Clippers and Rivers just as much as anyone but you can''t fine a guy 25ooo dollars for that let alone suspended him.

Players better be careful about throwing there jerseys into the stands now when they get ejected if they hit someone could be a 25000 dollar fine.......

Hold on. He wasn't gently tossing a jersey or ball to someone in the crowd as a gift/reward. He, in anger, intentionally flung a firm padded seat cushion at a high velocity and hit a lady in the face, knocking out a contact lens and causing a minor injury. Emphasis on minor, but causing injury.

I don't think she should sue, and I doubt anyone is seriously considering it. Yes, he apologized. Good for him. The fine is still valid though for intentionally throwing an object from the floor into the stands in that manner. The things thrown into the stands promotionally by players/staff are soft/light like t-shirts or small nerf-type balls, and they are not hurled at high velocity directly at people somewhat near the floor.

 

[Dreadnought]

Hold on. He wasn't gently tossing a jersey or ball to someone in the crowd as a gift/reward. He, in anger, intentionally flung a firm padded seat cushion at a high velocity and hit a lady in the face, knocking out a contact lens and causing a minor injury. Emphasis on minor, but causing injury.

I don't think she should sue, and I doubt anyone is seriously considering it. Yes, he apologized. Good for him. The fine is still valid though for intentionally throwing an object from the floor into the stands in that manner. The things thrown into the stands promotionally by players/staff are soft/light like t-shirts or small nerf-type balls, and they are not hurled at high velocity directly at people somewhat near the floor.

I agree with what you said here. What I don't agree with is the fan crucification of Austin Rivers, when DMC has done arguably similar things in the past and we chalk it up as passionate. I think we need to not have double standards with NBA players. Yes, Austin Rivers is an idiot. No, I do not consider him a malicious monster. The guy can barely hit a jumpshot, do you really think he calculated and aimed that seat cushion?

 

[VF21]

Would you feel the same if that same thing occurred to DMC and we needed him for the next game to decide if we got into the playoffs or not? There was no harm no intent and he was apologetic and took the time to take a photo and be nice to the person he accidentally hit (clearly he didn't think that pillow would fly that far). I bet if this one was off our players no one would be calling for a suspension.

I hate the Clippers and Rivers just as much as anyone but you can''t fine a guy 25ooo dollars for that let alone suspended him.

Players better be careful about throwing there jerseys into the stands now when they get ejected if they hit someone could be a 25000 dollar fine.......

Sorry, but you are truly not understanding what some of us are saying. If DMC did something that caused injury (even minor) to a fan, he would deserve the exact same treatment.

In case you missed it, I'll say it again. What if next time it's a chair and not a seat cushion? This woman could have been severely injured. The fact she wasn't is lucky for all concerned. The fine is totally understandable in that it sends a message to Austin Rivers (and everyone else) that you cannot throw a temper tantrum at work in the NBA and not suffer consequences.

Your sarcasm about jerseys notwithstanding, you clearly just view this differently. That's fine, but you're not going to garner much support, especially from those people who were in Sleep Train that night and saw the incident.

 

[VF21]

What I don't agree with is the fan crucification of Austin Rivers, when DMC has done arguably similar things in the past and we chalk it up as passionate.

Could you elaborate? I cannot recall any instance where DMC caused injury to a fan.

 

[VF21]

VF, if you got hit by that seat cushion you would sue? Thats what I'm taking from this conversation. If I'm correct I find it absolutely disgusting. Why is it that this kind of thing brings out a call to sue?

I didn't say I would or wouldn't. I asked if the fan had a potential cause of action. BIG DIFFERENCE - and also possibly a reason Austin Rivers apologized and posed for a picture with said fan. And yes, that's me being skeptical.

 

[upinsmoke]

Remember last year when Cousins kicked that chair? That could have been Soooo bad. It's important to grow up and be a man.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

It would be frivolous for the fan to sue, and I hope she doesn't. And Austin Rivers should be fined. Forget about the "What about next time, if..." argument; you can't "accidentally" throw a seat cushion.

He threw it on purpose, it went into the stands. If it didn't hit anybody, he still should have been fined.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I agree with what you said here. What I don't agree with is the fan crucification of Austin Rivers, when DMC has done arguably similar things in the past and we chalk it up as passionate. I think we need to not have double standards with NBA players...

You're hustling backwards here. If you think that people are engaging in double standards when it comes to enforcing the rules, the solution is not to stop enforcing the rules. And, if you think that people are engaging in double standards when it comes to criticizing bad behavior, the solution is not to stop criticizing bad behavior, either.

 

[John Galt]

I think Rivers should have gotten one game for that, and the $25K. Not just because he is a Clipper or spoiled brat coaches kid either.

If a fan threw something on the court or a the player bench... accidentally... an empty popcorn cup lets say or a plastic wristband - you can bet your ass that fan would miss a game.

Should go the same for the players. A projectile leaving the bench toward the stands is serious imo. I think Rivers got off very easy.

 

[KingMilz]

What do you think would happen if Cousins did the same thing in LA?

It would probably be one of the most embarrassing witch hunts in human history

 

[randymoss1881]

It would probably be one of the most embarrassing witch hunts in human history

Deflategate was and always will be.

 

[VF21]

Judy Farah ‏@newsbabe1530 9min ago
Sac Kings fan hit with cushion tossed by LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers says he "trivialized" incident. Claims apology "perfunctory."

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

It would probably be one of the most embarrassing witch hunts in human history

Deflategate was and always will be.

 

[nebs]

I got bit by a dog while at work in a very expensive neighborhood (really was the fault of the home owners I was bit) My leg was bloody and looked funky for a few weeks but it was fine. The people that owned the dog were really nice and very apologetic. A few co-workers said sue that ass, like I could legitimately come up moneywise on it. Sorry I don't roll like that. Now, if my leg started to get nasty and it became a real issue, then I'd have to look into some options.

 

[fansinceday1]

just saw the lady on the news. She said that Austin apologized to her but that isn't enough. Her contact came out and her eye watered profusely. She also said she does not plan to take any legal action "at this time." I'm old enough to know that's code for I'm gonna sue his a$$, when all this media attention goes away. I hate this sue happy Society.

 

[John Galt]

I don't know why anybody has a problem with her suing if she was struck in the face hard enough to knock out a contact lens. It's not like she was hit with a foul ball or a hockey puck (the standard disclaimers). Do the disclaimers say that sometimes a player may pitch a hissy and throw something in the stands so the fan is compelled to be alert for this and protect herself???

If I'm on the jury I sock it to Rivers and the NBA (going so soft on the coach's baby boy is gross). The fine is a wrist slap and horribly insufficient. She deserves to be compensated and Rivers deserves to hurt more than $25K worth.

Really disappointed in Silver's administration for the soft punishment.