On This Date In NBA History: December 3, The Warriors Terminated Latrell Sprewell’s Contract After Attacking Coach

Jan 1, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Jersey Nets assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

1997 – The Golden State Warriors terminated Latrell Sprewell’s four-year, $32-million contract after he attacked then Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo for telling him to “put a little mustard” on a pass. It marked the first time in NBA history that a player had his contract terminated for insubordination. Sprewell would go onto play for the New York Knicks the next season, but his violent past would never leave him.

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