As expected, Kobe Bryant wasn't suspended for Wednesday's regular season finale against the Sacramento Kings, for Bryant's homophobic slur directed at NBA referee Bennie Adams on Tuesday night. However, the Los Angeles Lakers' susperstar guard was fined $100,000 by the NBA. Here is the statement from league commissioner David Stern:
"Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society."
Earlier Wednesday, Bryant issued a statement of his own, not issuing an apology, but rather stating, "What I said last night should not be taken literally."
For more news and information about the Lakers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.