Why Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens wasn't given lifetime NBA ban

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Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry believes there's no place in the NBA for Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens.

The league and the Warriors saw things differently, though, and handed down a one-year ban and a $500,000 fine to Stevens for pushing Lowry during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night.

So, why wasn't Stevens given a lifetime ban by the league?

"I think we recognized that it's not a science in terms of making these decisions," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday afternoon. "I think ultimately we felt that given how contrite Mr. Stevens was, the fact that he was extremely apologetic, the fact that he had no blemishes on his prior involvement with the NBA or the Warriors, that a one-year ban seemed appropriate together with the fine."

A few hours after the NBA announced the punishment, Stevens released a statement through the Warriors, saying he was "embarrassed" by his actions directed at Lowry.

Lowry spent most of his press conference Thursday discussing the matter, and said he has no desire to talk to Stevens.

[RELATED: Lowry confirms Stevens' vulgar remarks toward him]

We imagine Lowry's not thrilled with Silver's reasoning for the punishment, either.

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