Phil Jackson Reportedly Faces Fine for Comments on OSU Freshman D'Angelo Russell

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson is exploring potential options for June's NBA draft, but the Zen Master could be facing a fine due to his over-zealousness.

After watching the Ohio State Buckeyes defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers Thursday night, the 13-time NBA champion (11 titles as a coach, two as a player) made a comment regarding Buckeyes freshman guard D'Angelo Russell, per Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com.

"He's a great-looking kid," Jackson said. "Great prospect."

Since Russell is an underclassman, though, Jackson is subject to a fine, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

A fine has yet to be officially levied, though, and the NBA hasn't commented on the matter, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:

Russell is enjoying a spectacular freshman season with per-game averages of nearly 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Louisville, Kentucky, native is also shooting a shade under 43 percent from beyond the arc.

It isn't necessarily a foregone conclusion that Russell will enter the draft, but it is probably a safe assumption since he figures to be one of the first prospects off the board.

Even so, there is a protocol that executives are forced to adhere to, and Jackson violated it with what was likely nothing more than an innocent observation.

The 2014-15 season has been nightmarish for the Knicks, and Jackson's slip-up is just the latest piece of bad publicity.

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