Pistons’ Brown Fined for Referee Criticism

Detroit Piston Coach Larry Brown was fined $7,500 Wednesday by the NBA for criticizing officials.

“I expected that,” Brown said in Auburn Hills, Mich. “I’m not saying anything I don’t believe in my heart.”

On Monday, Brown said referees tried to antagonize Piston forward Rasheed Wallace, who was limited to 22 minutes in a Game 3 loss against the New Jersey Nets because of foul trouble.

“It’s just not right, it’s not fair,” Brown said. “I just think they disrespect the kid in general, that’s the bottom line. They can fine me or whatever they want. I’m just telling you a fact.”

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Phoenix Sun forward Amare Stoudemire will be added to the U.S. Olympic team, ESPN.com reported.

Meanwhile, the Suns signed Coach Mike D’Antoni to a two-year contract extension. D’Antoni, 53, replaced Frank Johnson on Dec. 10 after an 8-21 start. He went 21-40 afterward.

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NBA officials and the players union met in New York to discuss an extension of their labor contract, which expires after next season.

There was “a lot of discussion,” though no proposals were exchanged, said Russ Granik, deputy commissioner. Billy Hunter, executive director of the players association, could not be reached for comment.

The league reportedly wants to reduce the length of contracts from the current maximum of seven years and bar players under the age of 20 from the league. The union opposes both measures.