NBA Playoffs 2014: Nets’ Jason Kidd fined for calling out Game 5 officials

It’s the NBA playoffs, and every play, every shot and every key call by the officials is going to be contested. Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd took on the Game 5 officials, and now he’s going to lose a little more than sleep for it.

Kidd made comments during a news conference call on Thursday criticizing officials for their part in the Nets’ 115-113 Game 5 loss to the Toronto Raptors, and was handed a $25,000 fine by the NBA for his chiding of said officials, via the New York Daily News.

According to reports of the call, Kidd was critical of the lack of free throws given to Joe Johnson, suggesting that Johnson might have to resort to “flopping” if he wanted to get a call. Kidd was also unhappy about the lack of a foul call against Nets’ guard Shaun Livingston with just 4 seconds remaining.

“It’s kind of mindboggling. Somebody (Nets guard Joe Johnson) shoots 23 (field goals) and only shoots one free throw.” – Nets coach Jason Kidd

The first-year head coach did retreat slightly, stating, “We have to keep attacking,” Kidd said. “If there’s no call made, we just have to keep playing. We can’t fall into complaining. We just have to play the game. However it’s called, it’s called.”

The Nets are down 3 games to 2 to the Raptors, with Game 6 being played on Friday night, and Game 7 (if needed) coming on Sunday.