Hawks co-owner fined for critical comments
Atlanta Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for criticizing the officiating and for making disparaging remarks about Boston center Kevin Garnett.
After Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoff series between the Hawks and Celtics, Gearon called Garnett "the dirtiest guy in the league" and complained that the Celtics got more foul calls.
In Game 6 on Thursday, Garnett scored 28 points and hauled in 14 rebounds as Boston won 83-80 and claimed the series.
He said Gearon had provided motivation.
"Thank you to the owner for giving me some extra gas tonight," Garnett told reporters. "My only advice the next time he opens his mouth is that he actually knows what he's talking about. X's and O's versus checkbooks and bottom lines."
The NBA collected some more money from the Hawks on Saturday, fining Ivan Johnson $25,000 for obscenely gesturing toward Boston fans while leaving the court after Game 6.
