Joakim Noah caught on camera using gay slur?

(CBS/AP) Here we go again.

A month after Kobe Bryant sparked outrage (and incurred a hefty fine) by directing a gay slur toward a referee, Joakim Noah has apparently followed suit - although his wrath was directed toward a fan.

During the first quarter of Sunday night's telecast of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls center appeared to direct profane language, and possibly a gay slur, towards someone seated behind the Bulls bench.

The exchange occurred after Noah was whistled for his second foul for an over-the-back call. After briefly arguing the call, Noah headed straight for the Bulls bench and began barking at someone seated behind him and to his right.

For his part, Noah acknowledged saying "something" toward a fan.

"I got caught up," Noah said. "I don't mean no disrespect to anybody."

The NBA declined immediate comment. The Bulls lost to Miami 96-85, falling behind 2-1 in the series.

In April, Bryant got slapped with a $100,000 fine for his slur, and as CBSSports.com's Ben Golliver notes, immediately after the incident, NBA analysts and media members took to Twitter to predict that Noah would be fined by the NBA league office. "Because the NBA fined Kobe, you think they'll have to fine Noah," CNBC's Darren Rovell tweeted. "But it's really the luck of the draw whether you're caught on TV."

"No question he said exactly what Kobe said," SI.com's Zach Lowe added. "Get that $100k ready, Joakim."