EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday fined head coach Paul Silas $10,000 for derogatory comments made Monday in reference to former Cavs and current Jazz forward Carlos Boozer.
"We cannot accept these kinds of comments from anyone in our organization," Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said in a statement issued by the team. "I have spoken to Paul. He understands our philosophy and feels badly about it.
"Paul also spoke to Carlos Boozer about the incident to express his regret. The comments were inappropriate and unacceptable. An apology has been made. A fine has been levied. This unfortunate and regretful situation is now behind us."
The Jazz had no comment regarding the Cavs' disciplinary action, spokeswoman Cindy Edman said Thursday.
The Akron Beacon Journal reported, "Silas made an inappropriate reference about Boozer in a conversation he believed was off the record following his media session" Monday, the day before the Jazz played at Cleveland.
"An electronic media outlet in Cleveland recorded the comment," the Beacon Journal reported, "and it found its way into the hands of producers for a nationally syndicated radio show, which aired it Wednesday."
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "Silas suggested a four-letter word for Boozer . . . hiding it in a childish word game that required some decoding."
Boozer left Cleveland for Utah under controversial circumstances last summer, signing a six-year, $68 million offer sheet from Utah after the Cavs — who thought they had an understanding Boozer would re-sign with them — let him out of his contract for this season.
Utah's leading scorer and rebounder did not accompany the Jazz to Cleveland on Tuesday, instead skipping the team's five-game road trip to rehabilitate a strained right foot that has kept him out of games since mid-February.
Silas reportedly apologized before Cleveland's game Wednesday in Milwaukee, saying: "It was totally inappropriate. It shouldn't have happened."
Cavs general manager Jim Paxson also issued a statement: "I'm confident (Silas) understands it was completely inappropriate for him to speak in the terms he did. He greatly regrets it. Regardless of the circumstances, it would never be acceptable for anyone in our organization to speak in that manner at any time, regarding anyone, to anyone. We are very sorry this occurred."
According to the team, the fine money will be donated to Cavaliers Charities, the franchise's community foundation, and channeled back into the community to assist an unidentified Cleveland-area charity.
ESPN DUMPS JAZZ: ESPN has nixed plans to televise the Jazz's April 13 meeting with San Antonio, so start time for the Delta Center game has been changed from 8:30 to 7 p.m.
KJZZ still will broadcast the game locally, as previously planned.
KJZZ also has added one game to its schedule, the Jazz's Delta Center meeting with Washington next Thursday. Another game KJZZ plans to carry, March 28 at home vs. Houston, was omitted as a televised game on the Jazz's widely distributed pocket schedule.
MISC.: Usual Jazz starting center Jarron Collins is eligible to come off the injured list tonight, but as of Thursday the team still wasn't sure if he was ready to return from a sprained right shoulder . . . Big man Ben Handlogten's 10-day contract expires after tonight's game, meaning the Jazz must decide whether to waive Handlogten or offer him a second 10-day deal . . . Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, whose club has lost seven straight, remains one win away from tying Red Auerbach for sixth place on the NBA's all-time regular-season coaching victories list with 938.
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com