Joakim Noah's smiles through Thursday's practice belied a sign that a hefty fine was around the corner, as the NBA slapped him with a $25,000 fine for his actions at halftime during Game 2 of the Bulls' series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Noah slapped at a fan on his way off the floor, apparently in reply to the fan possibly spitting on him.
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"I was just saying hello," said Noah of the incident, trying to laugh it off.
The NBA found it no laughing matter, and although there didn't appear to be much contact between Noah and the fan — certainly no contact equal to a fan spitting on a player — they wanted to send a message to players, in all likelihood, that contact with fans won't be tolerated.