Bulls' Joakim Noah Says Fine is Fair

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah says the fine he received for shouting an antigay slur at a fan is "fair."

Noah was fined $50,000 for shouting the slur at a heckling spectator during a game over the weekend. Last month Los Angeles Lakers captain Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using an antigay slur directed at a referee. Noah was asked at a press conference Tuesday about the difference between his fine and Bryant's fine, handed down by NBA commissioner David Stern shortly after the altercation made headlines.

"I didn't really know what my fine would be," Noah said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "I was just ready to face the consequences and move on and get ready for this game. I don't want to be a distraction to this team."

Noah said he would like to put the slur behind him and help his team beat Miami, the heavy favorite, to advance to the NBA championship series. Miami beat Chicago Tuesday night 101-93, with the Heat leading the Eastern Conference Finals 3-1.