New York, NY (Sports Network) - Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been fined $15,000 for using his personal blog to criticize officials.
Stu Jackson, the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations, announced the fine Tuesday.
Howard's comments appeared following Orlando's 85-80 loss to Detroit on November 3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Howard played nearly 17 minutes in that game and fouled out after scoring eight points and pulling down five rebounds.
"I was on the floor for 16 minutes and fouled out!!! Let me say that again: 17 minutes and six fouls!!! How can that be, ya'll? It was crazy," Howard said on his personal blog. "They called me for a charge on a flop, a push off when the defender was on me and two fouls on blocked shots.
"Man, 16 minutes is a lifetime low for me I think. I haven't played that little in a game since I was 10 years old in pee-wee ball. It was crazy from the start of the game all the way to when I fouled out with about 4 minutes to play.
"What really bothers me is they are letting guys hammer me at one end of the floor, yet I'm being called for everything. All of those hits take a toll on my body after a while."
In eight games this season, Howard is averaging 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. He registered 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 93-81 win at Charlotte Tuesday night.