Balkman banned for life in Philippines
Former NBA player Renaldo Balkman has been fined and banned from the Philippine Basketball Association for life after choking a teammate in a heated exchange during a game recently, Pro Basketball Talk reported.
Perton Blaze was trying to calm Balkman down during a game when Balkman shoved, then choken Blaze.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud handed down a fine of 250,000 Philippine Pesos (about $6,150 American) and a lifetime ban from the league for Balkman.
Salud issued a statement, which read, according to the report, "In arriving at this decision, I took into consideration Balkman's track record as a player, including the head-butting incident during a FIBA-Americas game between Puerto Rico and Venezuela and his altercation with the bench of the Alaska Aces during a pre-Season game in Cebu City. I also took into consideration Balkman's evident disregard for local and the host country's sensibilities highlighted by his choking act on-court in full public view of his own teammate who was trying to pacify him. Stiff as it maybe, this decision upholds the tenets of contextual accountability and the over-all interest of the League and the fans."
Balkman spent parts of six seasons in the NBA, playing for the Nuggets and Knicks.
