article by All Headline News
Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) - NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson slapped Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson a $35,000 fine Friday, following his disparaging remarks against game referees.
Jackson drew the NBA’s attention once again, after he said game officials whistled too many calls in favor of Oklahoma Thunder superstar Kevin Durant.
"As far as the calls that he gets on the floor, I think a lot of the referees are treating him like a superstar; he gets to the line easy and often," Jackson told ESPN Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Durant fired back at Jackson, citing the coach's comments as “disrespectful on the way he plays the game.”
Durant, 21, has just become the youngest scoring champion in NBA history at 30.1 points per game, edging Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James at 29.7 points per game.
However, Durant, who averaged 10.3 free throw attempts per game, has been criticized for receiving too many free throw attempts during the regular season.
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was also fined last month for the same comments regarding Durant's appeal to referees.
The NBA fined Jackson for the second time in two weeks for hitting referees with expletive remarks.
Earlier this month, Jackson also received a fine for his postgame comments in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Jackson said game officials turned against them and even mentioned veteran referee Bennett Salvatore in his comments.
"With Bennett you don't know what you're going to get." Jackson told ESPN.
Jackson and the Lakers are set to start their title defense, when they face the Thunder in game one of their Western Conference first round playoff series Sunday at the Staples Center.
