Oakley Fined $50,000

A day after the most lopsided loss in team history, the Chicago Bulls fined forward Charles Oakley $50,000 on Friday for criticizing Coach Tim Floyd in comments to reporters.

After Thursday night’s 127-74 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Floyd called the players’ effort “pathetic.”

Oakley responded by questioning Floyd’s coaching methods and wondered if the way Floyd substituted players was tantamount to throwing in the towel.

“They’re used to losing like this,” said Oakley. “They don’t win but 15 games a year. It’s different breeds I guess. Different breeds of coaches and players. I guess I’m too old for the game.”

Said Floyd: “Guys that typically speak out usually are putting up big numbers. And I haven’t seen those numbers from our guy.”

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Denver Nugget guard Nick Van Exel was fined $20,000 for criticizing referees for the second time in eight days. ... Miami Heat swingman Kendall Gill had successful surgery on his broken left pinkie finger Friday and is expected to miss four to six weeks. ... The Philadelphia 76ers put center Matt Geiger on the injured list with arthritis in both knees and activated rookie Alvin Jones.