There is a pandemic spreading across the NBA landscape and it’s not the swine flu. There have been a rash of NBA coaches being heavily fined for critical comments toward the replacement referees.

The Orlando Magic and head coach Stan Van Gundy were recently fined $35,000 each for Van Gundy’s verbal jabs at the officials after a preseason game against the New York Knicks.

Other coaches who got a big slap on the hand from NBA Executive Vice President Stu Jackson were Memphis coach Lionel Hollins and Charlotte coach Larry Brown.

Hollins has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing game officials following the Grizzlies loss to the Orlando Magic on October 12 at FedEx Forum.

Brown has been fined $35,000 for verbally abusing game officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter of Charlotte’s game against Atlanta on Oct. 12 at Philips Arena. Brown has been fined an additional $25,000 for publicly criticizing the referees following the game.

The Charlotte Bobcats have also been fined $60,000 for Brown’s actions.

Can I get a big pacifier for these three head coaches. I mean, it’s preseason guys and you’re all crying about the officiating. If anything, the replacement refs are actually doing a decent job in the games I’ve seen. They’re calling violations on EVERYONE and that includes the superstars.

Message to Van Gundy, Hollins and Brown: Quit whining and just coach.

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