NBA does not punish Vince Carter

Jan 3, 2009 - 1:02 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The NBA did not take any action against New Jersey Nets swingman Vince Carter, who had a confrontation with referee Derrick Stafford during Wednesday's 83-75 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Carter was ejected for the second time in his career after picking up back-to-back technical fouls in the second quarter of that contest. He had to be restrained by teammate Devin Harris and coach Lawrence Frank before leaving the floor.

Citing NBA spokesman Tim Frank, the New York Daily News said that the league will not fine or suspend either Carter or Stafford but will sit down with them to iron out the misunderstanding.

It appeared as if Carter had bumped Stafford as he was leaving the floor, and the Daily New reported that Stafford referred to the eight-time All-Star as "boy" during the exchange.

"Derrick expresses regret for his use of the word 'boy,' and we are persuaded that he did not use it with the intention of demeaning Vince," Frank told the newspaper.

A usually mild-mannered player, Carter was more concerned about his role in the Nets' loss, saying that he could have made a difference in the second half.

"I'm tired of hearing about it, because it's not a big deal," Carter told the newspaper. "It's pretty much over and done with.

"Whatever their ruling is, you have to live with it. It's just one of those things. It happened, and it was unfortunate because maybe, if I'm still in the game, we could have pulled that game out."

Carter started for New Jersey in Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks.