NBA fines 3 coaches

The NBA has fined three coaches $25,000 each for publicly criticizing referees during the NBA playoffs.

The coaches — Houston’s Rick Adelman, Portland’s Nate McMillan and Boston’s Doc Rivers — were fined for comments made after their respective games.

They were handed down by Stu Jackson, the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations.

I don’ think there was anything that was disrespectful, McMillan told the Portland Oregonian about his comments on what he felt was inconsistent officiating in the Trailblazers-Rockets series.

Earlier this week, he also said Adelman’s comments were designed to influence the officials and that the Rockets have been fouling Portland guard Brandon Roy.

I’m the human stimulus package, Rivers told the Boston Herald after his latest comments increased his total to $65,000 this season.

I was shocked, Adelman said. (Their) big men were ‘manhandling’ Yao Ming. I had no idea it was coming.

It’s gamesmanship, Houston forward Shane Battier told the Chronicle Tuesday. If you’re not doing it, you’re not trying.