Milicic fined $14K by FIBA, reprimanded by Grizzlies for tirade

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MADRID, Spain -- Memphis Grizzlies center Darko Milicic was fined nearly $14,000 by FIBA on Friday for a profanity-laced tirade at referees following Serbia's defeat at the European basketball championships.

Milicic, who signed a three-year deal with the Grizzlies in the offseason, made the comments -- directed at match officials Fabio Facchini, Virginijus Dovidavicius and Stelian Banica -- after Serbia's 68-67 loss to Greece on Tuesday.

Basketball's world governing body fined Milicic $13,770.

Serbia finished last in Group A, winless in three games for its worst finish in the tournament since its maiden appearance as Yugoslavia in 1947.

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace and coach Marc Iavaroni called Milicic on Thursday to communicate their displeasure about the comments, The Commercial Appeal of Memphis reported Friday.

"We're very displeased with Darko's actions and comments," Wallace said. "It's an emotional situation playing in national competition, particularly with Serbia, because they take pride in having good teams. But Darko has to be in control of his emotions."

Milicic, who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, averaged eight points and five rebounds last season for Orlando.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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