Karl’s Ire Met With Fire: Coach Hit Up For $10,000

Seattle coach George Karl was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for saying an official “ought to be shot” following a loss to Charlotte.

After the Hornets beat the SuperSonics 116-114 Monday night, Karl criticized the officials and singled out referee Ted Bernhardt.

“It’s a shame officiating takes over a game like that,” Karl said. “Ted Bernhardt ought to be shot.”

Bernhardt called a technical foul on Seattle’s Gary Payton in the first half and a technical foul on the Sonics’ Shawn Kemp with 4:25 left in the game.

Karl said Tuesday he understood why the NBA fined him “and I respect where they are coming from.

“I can’t deny that I was shocked by the amount but I will adhere to it,” he said in a statement issued in Seattle. “I felt I was standing up for our team and I overreacted emotionally to a hard-fought game.”