Hawks coach fined for 'incompetent' referees comment

Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum has been fined $3000 for lashing NBL referees as incompetent and claiming officials treat him differently.

The 45-year-old American has issued an apology after turning a blowtorch on the referees in a press conference after his side's 92-87 loss to Melbourne United on Thursday.

Basketball Australia on Monday said they reviewed the game and Tatum had accepted the sanction and would provide a public apology.

"The sanction is for breaching the Basketball Australia code of conduct for comments regarding the officials," the governing body said in a statement.

"No further action will be taken and no further comment will be made by Basketball Australia".

The Hawks, who lead the NBL with six wins from eight games and meet Perth on Friday, said they had accepted the penalty.

"As the head coach ... I acknowledge the responsibility of my role at the club and the example I set for my players and coaching staff," Tatum said in the club's statement.

"I apologise for comments made at the post-match media conference in reference to the NBL officials."

In the press conference, Tatum admitted telling a referee he made a "bleeping terrible call" when Will Hickey was called for a contentious final-minute foul on United's Chris Goulding.

Tatum, the father of NBA star Jayson Tatum, was asked whether other NBL coaches should expect to receive technical fouls for similar behaviour.

"One hundred per cent, but it's only going to be me," he said.

"I'm intimidating, I guess my voice is too deep and I'm too tall and my skin colour's different or whatever it is.

"It's me, you know, because I hear the same coaches say similar things or complain about the same stuff and their leash is a little bit longer.

"But I guess I have to be made an example out of."

Tatum also said fans paid money to see the players and "not some incompetent referees" who let their feelings dictate the game.

He denied he had disrespected officials on the sidelines during a tense finish.

Tatum also lashed Goulding for "flopping" when the Melbourne veteran fell theatrically to the floor after minimal contact from Hickey.

"The officials at that time unfortunately just made a bad decision, a bad call," he said.

Melbourne led 87-84 at the time, with 22.1 seconds left on the clock.