AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 30: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Jeremy Lin #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 30, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
By Jay Rigdon on

Back in March, Pistons wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was arrested for driving under the influence in Detroit.

That’s certainly a serious offense, and one that the NBA couldn’t overlook, even though Caldwell-Pope hadn’t driven recklessly or indeed that much over the limit at alla:

Caldwell-Pope, 24, was stopped at 2:52 a.m. Wednesday after an officer parked on Auburn Road near Juniper tracked his 2015 Jeep Wrangler going 45 m.p.h. in a 25-m.p.h. zone. An officer stopped Caldwell-Pope without incident near Squirrel Road. 

…

Caldwell-Pope then registered a 0.098 blood-alcohol level at the scene. At the station, at 4:02 a.m. and 4:06 a.m., he registered 0.08 levels. To drive legally in Michigan, one must be below 0.08.

But, obviously, a DUI is a DUI, and after Caldwell-Pope pled guilty to a slightly lesser charge in May, and was then sentenced to  12 months probation in June, it was only a matter of time before the NBA’s disciplinary process would lay down their own internal law.

That announcement came today, and Caldwell-Pope will be suspended two games next season for the offense.

That’s not exactly a major punishment, but it’s also not a slap on the wrist that a fine would have been. It’s probably about right. Hopefully Caldwell-Pope doesn’t become a repeat offender.

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About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.

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