Spurs' Stephen Jackson Fined $25K for Threatening Tweet Directed at Serge Ibaka

Generally an under-the-radar bunch, the San Antonio Spurs continue to catch the ire of the NBA league office this season.

Swingman Stephen Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA for threatening comments recently made toward Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports helped break the news on Twitter:

"

NBA says Spurs Stephen Jackson has been fined $25,000 for "issuing a hostile statement" at Thunder's Serge Ibaka in a Twitter message.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) December 10, 2012"

Jackson took to the defense of his former teammate Metta World Peace after World Peace and Ibaka got into a brief altercation during the Thunder-Lakers matchup Friday night.

Since removed from his Twitter account, here's the message Jackson posted during the game (via NewsOK.com):

"

Somebody tel sergAbaka. He aint bout dis life. Next time he run up on me imgoin in his mouth. That’s a promise. He doin 2 much.

"

Spurs GM RC Buford had no reservations about how he felt about one of his players behaving in such a manner. Royce Young of the Daily Thunder had Buford's quote:

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Spurs GM RC Buford: "[a]bsolutely unacceptable, can not be tolerated and do not reflect the standards held by the San Antonio Spurs."

— Royce Young (@dailythunder) December 10, 2012"

Here is the public apology Jackson issued after removing the threat from his page:

"

I apologize to @sergeibaka, the NBA, and to all my fans for the comments I made. It was unprofessional and childish. I’m not a thug just a man who speaks his mind. It was not appropriate. I do apologize. Only a man can admit when he’s wrong.

"

Jackson is no stranger to league discipline. He was part of the "Malice in the Palace" incident as a member of the Indiana Pacers and has habitually been one of the league's frequent offenders at receiving technical fouls.

Of course, Jackson is also quick to defend those close to his heart, one of the main reasons the Spurs decided to bring him back into the fold via a trade with the Golden State Warriors. Jackson is currently out with a fracture in his right pinky finger.

It hasn't been a great close to 2012 for the Spurs, as commissioner David Stern imposed a $250,000 fine after head coach Gregg Popovich sent home four of his top players before a game with the Miami Heat late last month, citing that Popovich cheated the fans out of a marquee matchup.

Ethan Grant is a featured columnist for B/R's Breaking News Team.

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