Basketball: Green fined $5000, but avoids ban

Jeff Green will be back coaching Waikato Titans for a shot at a hat-trick of NBL titles next year after fighting off a bid to ban him.

But the outspoken Green has been fined $5000 for making obscene gestures and swearing at Nelson supporters at the end of the televised national final 10 days ago, when Waikato beat Nelson 85-83.

It was the biggest fine imposed by Basketball New Zealand and it is understood there was a strong move at a three-hour hearing in Wellington on Monday night to ban him from the sidelines next season.

Green yesterday confirmed he would coach again next year, but said he had agreed to make no other comment on the fine - his third in two seasons.

He was found guilty of two breaches of the NBL code of conduct in Nelson.

Green had apologised for his behaviour.

Last year he was fined $1000 for publicly criticising referees Chris Benson and John Butler after earlier receiving a $2000 fine for alleging national coach Tab Baldwin was racially biased in deciding his Tall Blacks training squad.

There were also other complaints about his behaviour towards opposition crowds.

"I was extremely disappointed that this incident took the gloss off what was a great game of basketball," Basketball NZ league chairman Burton Shipley said when announcing Green's punishment.

"The severity of the fine administered by the tribunal reflects the grave nature of the offence.

"As a professional organisation we understand the importance of ensuring high standards of performance and behaviour on and off the court.

"This fine reinforces our position."

- NZPA