MIAMI (AP) — Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah said the NBA's decision to fine him $50,000 for directing an anti-gay slur toward a fan is "fair."
Speaking Tuesday morning as the Bulls prepared to
face the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, Noah again
acknowledged making a mistake in his back-and-forth with the fan.
"I made a mistake, learned from it and move
on," Noah said. "That's about it."
The NBA announced the fine Monday afternoon, one
day after television cameras caught Noah using a profanity, followed by the
slur, after returning to the Chicago bench midway through the opening quarter
of Game 3 in Miami.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was fined
$100,000 for using the same slur in April, directing it toward a referee. Noah
said he was not sure what to expect in terms of a fine when he met with NBA
officials to discuss the matter on Monday, hours before the sanction was
announced.
"I was just ready to face the consequences and
move on and get ready for this game," Noah said. "I don't want to be
a distraction to the team."
The Bulls entered Tuesday down 2-1 in the
best-of-seven series.
Noah said Game 4 is Chicago's most important game
of the season, adding that he is not concerned about what the reaction will be
when he faces the Miami crowd.
"That's the last of my worries," Noah
said.
He also said he does not believe security around
the bench areas is an issue.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
