Kidd Is Fined for Comments

Guard Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Friday for verbally abusing and publicly criticizing game officials after Wednesday night’s 96-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kidd made derogatory comments to Violet Palmer, Mike Callahan and Gary Zielinski after the officials failed to make a foul call against Stromile Swift after the Grizzlies’ forward bumped Kidd on a shot attempt during the closing seconds with the Nets trailing, 95-93.

Kidd said something directly to the officials as they walked off the court at Continental Airlines Arena. He criticized them again in postgame comments.

“That’s basketball at its best,” said Kidd of the game. “Unfortunately, that crew missed a good game. It was a good game up to that point. That’s not going to get me a fine, either.”

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The Orlando Magic took guard Shammond Williams off the injured list. He had been sidelined nine games because of a sprained left knee. To make room on the roster, the Magic put rookie guard Reece Gaines, who has tendinitis in his right knee, on the injured list. Gaines had nine points and 14 assists in 14 games.... The San Antonio Spurs bought out the remainder of guard Anthony Carter’s contract because of tendinitis in his left knee, making him a free agent.