Joyce gets a warning

Gold Coast coach Brendan Joyce has been cautioned by the National Basketball League (NBL) for an outburst towards a Perth journalist following the Blaze's 94-80 loss to the Wildcats last Friday.

Joyce was incensed by an article written in the West Australian about new Blaze recruit Shane Heal and he vented his anger at the writer during a fired-up post match press conference, demanding the journalist leave the room.

But NBL interim chief executive Chuck Harmison has warned Joyce that any similar behaviour for the rest of the season could lead to a fine or suspension.

"Whilst the League has no issue with Joyce defending his players publicly if he feels they might have been slighted by a media report, the manner in which he conducted himself at the post-game media conference was completely unacceptable," said Harmison.

"It is not up to Joyce, or any other coach in this league, to determine who can and cannot attend post-game media conferences based purely on whether or not they agree with what opinions that particular member of the media might have expressed."

"The NBL prides itself on being one of the most media-friendly professional leagues in Australia, which is important as we look to grow the profile of our game."

"It is of paramount importance therefore that all our team personnel understand that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated," Harmison said.

Joyce was enraged by the article because it suggested the recruitment of Heal from the South Dragons had been questioned by the media.

Heal, however, was letting his performance do the talking against the Wildcats on Friday night, scoring 28 points for the losing side.