Sports News: Former NBA Player Ivan Johnson banished from Philippine league
Tropang TNT import Ivan Johnson has been known to be a hot-head since his first tour of duty in 2015.
The former Atlanta Hawk had a controversial first coming, getting involved in post-fight fracases and that celebrated incident where he bumped Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao as he was scampering back to the other end of the court.
Returning for a second tour of duty, Johnson was involved in another melee in a tune-up game against the Blackwater Elite. The incident cost him P50,000 and a one-game suspension. He served his suspension in TNT’s first game which ironically was against Blackwater too.
The TNT reinforcement incurred two technical fouls in the second quarter alone for rough plays. The first one came in the 9-minute mark where he was given a technical foul for second motion on Bolts’ forward Kelly Nabong.
About 5-minutes later, he was given a second technical and flagrant foul for giving Bolts Bryan Faundo an elbow to the kisser. Johnson was eventually ejected for incurring two technicals but the drama did not stop there.
Johnson hurled expletives towards the direction of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa who was reportedly signaling him to keep quiet and exit. Rather than exit quietly, the temperamental import gave the PBA boss a piece of his mind and even bumped a fan in the process on his way to the dugout.
The surprise twist came when word came out that Johnson was already given penalties for his unruly behavior. With the game still ongoing, word came out that he was meted a hefty P250,000 fine.
That makes it P300,000 in total for Johnson since his arrival. But the amount was not the only one that Johnson had to face.
Aside from the P250K fine, Johnson was meted a life-time ban which means he will no longer be able to play in the Philippines pro hoop.
The quick decision drew criticism from all around, some even saying it was an impulsive reaction on the part of Narvasa.
Though this is not to question the commissioner’s decision, it may have been better to time it properly and not immediate.
With that, Johnson follows the fate of another import who was given a life-time ban back in 2013.
Playing for Petron/San Miguel, Puerto Rican-American import Renaldo Balkman was banned for life as well after his actions in the Blaze Boosters match against the Alaska Aces.
Balkman was miffed at something but went as far as almost choking his frail-bodied teammate, Arwind Santos, who was simply trying to pacify him at the time.
Twitter saw a lot of reactions to the fast verdict made on Ivan Johnson
That's crazy. Ivan Johnson gets banned, that fast.
— Jared Dillinger (@JDHawaii20) February 13, 2016
Due process? Impulse decision?
— Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) February 13, 2016
No comment on the Comm's decision. Y'all saw it. People that know know. Smh
— Kelly Williams (@KelWilliams21) February 13, 2016
