Thomas fined $50,000 for comments

New York Knicks Coach Isiah Thomas was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for questioning the treatment point guard Stephon Marbury is getting from referees.

Thomas criticized the officials after the Knicks’ 103-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.

“I see a lot of other players drive to the basket and get fouled and go to the foul line, and I don’t understand what he’s done to receive the type of treatment he’s getting and the lack of respect he is getting from the officials,” Thomas said.

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Responding to Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James’ statement that he is only “50-50” on playing in August’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Las Vegas, Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.com that James could be jeopardizing his status as one of the five or six core players for the Beijing Olympics.

“If someone chooses not to participate just because they’d rather not play, that person would put himself at risk as far as who ultimately represents us at the Olympics,” Colangelo said.

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Atlanta Hawks guard Josh Childress will miss the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his right foot.