NBA (Archives)
Knicks Coach fined 25k for Criticizing Refs
New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson was fined $25,000 for criticizing officials in a radio interview, the NBA announced Friday.
Woodson appeared Thursday on ESPN New York's The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show and discussed foul calls on Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Wednesday night, the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in overtime of a game featuring one particularly important no-call on Anthony.
The ninth-year NBA head coach said Anthony does not get as many calls as other superstars.
"I'm not going to shy away from that, either. I think 'Melo gets hit more than ever," Woodson said before addressing a specific no-call in the fourth quarter. "I've been at this thing 30 years, and sometimes I'm starting to wonder what's a foul and what's not a foul."
Woodson also defended referee Joey Crawford for a controversial call against the Knicks, when Iman Shumpert tapped the elbow of Pacers star Paul George on a three-point attempt at the end of regulation.
Woodson has come under fire recently for the Knicks' 3-8 start. The offense and defense both rank in the bottom 10 in points per possession, partially attributable to the loss of center Tyson Chandler.
The Knicks play again Saturday (7 p.m. ET) at the Washington Wizards.