Doc Rivers Reveals The Magic Were Fined Recruiting Grant Hill From The Detroit Pistons
As an Orlando Magic fan, the summer of 2000 was one of those times you couldn’t believe, with the rumors of the Magic signing Basketball Hall of Famers; Tim Duncan, Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady. Doc Rivers, who was the head coach of the Magic in 2000 revealed on the Bill Simmons Podcast that the Orlando Magic were fined for recruiting Grant Hill.
The first myth that Rivers debunked, was that the team had enough cap space to sign all three players. Doc says the team only had enough cap space to sign two of the three, so Duncan’s decision to re-sign with the Spurs actually made the decision for the team.
[Related: 15 Pistons items fans must have.]
The second story he told, was one that I never heard before. Doc revealed that the Orlando Magic were fined $100,000, while recruiting Grant Hill from the Detroit Pistons to the Orlando Magic. Rivers said while the Magic were playing the Pistons, every time Hill ran past the Magic bench Doc yelled at him, “80 degrees no state taxes.”
Rivers said he did it the entire game and the Pistons filed a complaint, and then NBA Commissioner, David Stern called and asked if this was true and his response was to keep “it’s 80 degrees and no state taxes, David what do you want me to say.”
You can listen to the audio here, the story starts around the 25 minute mark.
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