NEW YORK — Shaquille O'Neal was fined $15,000 Friday for criticizing referees and an NBA senior vice president after the Miami center was for called for five fouls in the Heat's loss to New Jersey.
"That was the most ridiculous game I've ever been part of," O'Neal said after the 90-78 loss Sunday. "When you got a guy like Stu Jackson at the top, it shows why referees are the way they are. It starts at the top.
"There was a lot of flopping today and they just fell for it. They make these rules up and they don't follow them. We all know there's a double standard. I just wish they wouldn't make it so obvious."
O'Neal was called for two offensive fouls in the first half, one for elbowing New Jersey's Jason Collins in the jaw. He picked up three more fouls in the third quarter, including two fouls in a span of 11 seconds.
Heat coach Pat Riley also voiced his displeasure with the officiating, but said if a team complains too much about it, the league issues a fine.
BOONE TO ENTER DRAFT: Connecticut junior forward Josh Boone said Friday he will make himself eligible for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10 Boone hasn't hired an agent, giving him the option of returning for his senior season. Boone has until June 18 to withdraw from the draft, which will take place June 28.
Boone has averaged nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots during his three seasons at UConn. He spent most of that time playing behind current NBA stars Emeka Okafor and Charlie Villanueva.
"Over the last three years at Connecticut, I have played with, and against, the highest level of competition in college basketball. I feel now is the time for me to explore the option of testing my basketball skills against the best players in the world," Boone said in a statement.
UConn coach Jim Calhoun supports Boone's decision.
"He has been and will continue to be a member of our basketball family and we will always be here to help Josh work through this process and arrive at the best decision for everyone involved," Calhoun said in a statement.
Two other UConn underclassmen could enter the draft. Sophomore swingman Rudy Gay has been projected as a top-five pick, and junior point guard Marcus Williams is considered one of the top playmakers in the nation.
They face an April 29 deadline to declare for the draft.
WARRIORS SIGN BYNUM: The Golden State Warriors signed guard Will Bynum for the rest of the season, the team said Friday. Bynum has averaged 0.9 points and 1.1 assists in eight games as a reserve since the Warriors signed him to the first of two 10-day contracts.
The former Georgia Tech star was with the Boston Celtics in training camp before going to the D-League, where he led the league with 24 points per game with the Roanoke Dazzle.
BUTLER ON INACTIVE LIST: The Washington Wizards placed forward Caron Butler on the inactive list with a right thumb sprain before their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. Butler is third on the team, averaging 17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. He had 26 points and five steals in Washington's 108-91 win at Boston Wednesday night.