Frank Vogel Fined $15,000 for Comments About Officiating

Stu Jackson, head of basketball operations for the NBA, announced in an NBA press release that Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel has been fined $15,000 for his comments about how referees should officiate the upcoming series with the Miami Heat.

Vogel, who fired the shot on Thursday, said, "(The Miami Heat) are the biggest flopping team in the NBA. It'll be very interesting to see how the referees officiate the series and how much flopping they reward." He later reiterated his stance as if to dismiss any possible chance of backtracking, "It'll be interesting to see how the series is officiated."

The comments apparently upset the league office, who lightened Vogel's wallet for it. The league, who also fined Hawks owner Michael Gearon for his own comments, in addition to forward Ivan Johnson for an inappropriate gesture to fans following Atlanta's 83-80 loss in Game 6, apparently doesn't have any interest in a coach wondering allowed if his team will be officiated fairly.

A penalty in this manner suggests Vogel's comments were spoken out of turn and hold no truth, so as long as the league proves it by not rewarding what Vogel described as "guys not making a play on the ball, but sliding in front of drivers. Often times they're falling down before contact is even made." If it gives Indiana a fairer shake in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it's hard to imagine Vogel not being willing to make these comments again, as he should.