3:35pm: Bird has issued a statement saying he’s “taking some time away from the team as I deal with my legal and medical issues,” ESPN’s Chris Forsberg relays. He also apologized to his family, teammates, fans, organization and league for the “unnecessary distraction” but that “information that has been released does not tell the full story.”
12:30pm: The Celtics have issued a statement saying the organization “deplores domestic violence of any kind,” tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. The team promises to work with the NBA and law enforcement officials in their investigation.
12:03pm: Celtics guard Jabari Bird was arraigned today on charges of assaulting and kidnapping his girlfriend, reports Travis Andersen of The Boston Globe. Bird pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on $50K cash bond.
The woman claims Bird choked her about a dozen times, kicked her and held her against her will while the couple was arguing Friday. She said he began suffering mental distress before police arrested him Friday night.
Bird, 24, had been hospitalized for an “evaluation” until today, when doctors ruled that he was healthy enough for a court appearance. The victim was taken to a separate hospital.
The Celtics have declined to comment on the arrest since last weekend, Andersen adds. The team signed Bird to a two-year, $3MM contract following his strong performance in Summer League play. The first year is fully guaranteed for $1.55MM, while the second year is non-guaranteed.
While I’m all for holding judgement until the facts are in, if even a portion of what’s reported is true he needs to be out of the league. There’s no room for this.
He will be, this isn’t the NFL or college football. He is done in the NBA. He can take his early Bird rights and fly away to China
Agree with above….if he did what he did….regardless if he pays her off to silence her….he needs to never play in the nba ever again.
Agree. One must wonder why Boston hasn’t fired him as yet. Bad example for kids.
Guessing they’re waiting for the NBA to complete its review.
I mean as much as I think domestic abusers are bad, it is still innocent before proven guilty
Cut him fast Danny
Can the team reclaim the guarantee in a case like this? I assume the only reason they’re holding onto him would be for the process to play out if they are able to reclaim the money.
Fact is, Ainge and the Celtics HAVE TO WAIT and let the LEGAL PROCESS PLAY OUT BEFORE THEY CAN “FIRE HIM” as cesc so eloquently put it. Personally, I’ll reserve judgement until I hear all the facts. It’s been said that Jabari had a seizure and blacked out. It’s kind of sketchy to hear he “passed out” while choking this chick “a dozen times” etc. Not saying he didn’t do it, but this case sounds strange so far.
If the Celtics were to waive Bird they would have to pay his guaranteed $1.35 million salary for this season. By allowing the league to handle the matter, his contract could potentially be voided, depending on how the legal proceedings play out. For a Celtics team near the luxury tax line, those savings could be substantial, particularly if they were to sign a player to replace Bird on the roster.