Whether they figured out long ago or, more likely, picked it up watching the NFL make a mess of the Ray Rice situation, the NBA seems to have learned at least a few things about dealing with domestic violence cases.
When the Hornets’ Jeff Taylor was arrested on domestic assault charges in Michigan last week, the NBA and the Hornets investigated the charges then moved to keep Taylor out of all team activities as the league and team continue to investigate, not to mention the formal legal process moves forward.
Speaking for the first time since the arrest, Hornets’ GM Rich Cho told the Charlotte Observer the moves were a decision of the organization.“We felt as an organization we it was important to react decisively and quickly. It was an organizational decision,” Cho said at a news conference. “We worked with the NBA throughout this whole process.
“We take domestic violence as a very serious matter.”
Cho was asked how Taylor’s situation differs from that of rookie P.J. Hairston, who was charged with twice punching a Durham teenager over the summer.
“Every situation is a little different,” Cho said. “In this situation we felt this was the right thing to do.”
Taylor pled not guilty and is out on a $5,000 bond with a pre-trial hearing currently set for next week. If convicted Taylor could get up to a year in jail (although a max sentence would be unlikely).
Again, the NBA has learned (as I imagine other sports leagues have as well). The same old line of “he’s going through due process and as a league we can’t do anything until that plays out” will not fly. He gets his day in court, but the league is going to investigate matters and move where appropriate.
But we’ll see how the Taylor case plays out.