CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Larry Brown became the first major target in the NBA's zero-tolerance policy toward criticizing its replacement referees.
The Bobcats coach was hit with $60,000 in fines on Wednesday and the Charlotte organization was fined another $60,000 after Brown's ejection from an exhibition game.
Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins was also fined $25,000 for criticism after a game Monday, as the league attempts to protect its inexperienced officials while it locks out its regular referees in a labor dispute.
Official Kevin Scott, who has worked in college and pro-am leagues, whistled Brown for two technical fouls at different times in Monday's game in Atlanta. After the second technical, with 3:23 left in the third quarter, Brown lingered on the court instead of heading to the locker room. Scott called for security, but Brown then left on his own.
The NBA fined Brown $35,000 for verbally abusing game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner. He was fined another $25,000 for publicly criticizing the referees.
A Bobcats spokesman said the team had no immediate comment.
Brown did not speak to reporters after the game Monday, and he declined to talk specifically about his ejection on Tuesday. Brown did make general complaints about the increase in the number of fouls in preseason games, which average about 7 more per game than last year's preseason.
"There wasn't an up and back and up in the whole game that I can remember," Brown said of Monday's game. "That was hard." There were 61 fouls and five technical fouls called. The Bobcats played a game against New Orleans last week that included 77 fouls and 95 free throws.
Hollins was upset after Monday's game against Orlando, saying the Grizzlies didn't get a fair share of the calls against Magic big man Dwight Howard.
The NBA is using officials from the NBA Development League, WNBA and college ranks after the league's regular referees rejected a contract proposal two weeks ago.
