National Basketball Association

Report: Shaq performs act over fine

Published Dec. 29, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Video emerged Wednesday of Boston Celtics big man Shaquille O'Neal breaking into a pretend hysterical fit after being informed by a journalist that the NBA had fined him $35,000 for criticizing the referee, The Huffington Post reported.

On being asked his reaction to the fine, O'Neal started rolling around the ground in the locker room, screaming, "Why? Why?" and grabbed onto the leg of his teammate Paul Pierce.

When Pierce suggested O'Neal may receive further punishment from the NBA for his mock tantrum, the 38-year-old turned slightly more serious, saying: "All I said was, 'Why?' All I said was, 'Why?'"

The NBA announced Monday that O’Neal had been fined $35,000 for comments he made about the officiating in the Celtics’ 86-78 loss to the Orlando Magic Saturday.

O'Neal blasted the "control freak" officials when he fouled out after playing only 13 minutes.

The four-time NBA champion — past his prime now but considered one of the NBA's finest centers ever — was charged up to play the Magic’s Dwight Howard, who is now the game's best in the position.

"If I was a fan, I would be pissed,” Shaq said after the loss. “You pay all that money for good seats and you have two of the best guys in the country sitting on the bench. That's what happens when you have control freaks out there.''

O'Neal then singled out veteran official Bob Delaney, who wears the No. 26.

"I guess (fans) come out to see No. 26 play," O'Neal said. "He was a great player out there (Saturday). They paid all that money to see No. 26 come play."