Sprewell Case Resumes; Gm On Stand 4 Hours Carlesimo Expected To Testify Later This Week In New York

Four days and roughly 3,000 miles removed from when he first expected to testify, Golden State general manager Garry St. Jean finally got to talk Monday as the Latrell Sprewell arbitration case resumed.

St. Jean, who waited around in Portland for two days last week but was never called to testify, was among the first to arrive for the hearing, a short walk from NBA headquarters.

St. Jean testified for nearly four hours, then was followed by Golden State deputy counsel Robin Baggett.

Baggett was questioned for 2-1/2 hours and his testimony will continue today.

NBA commissioner David Stern and Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo are expected to testify later this week.

“Have a nice day,” was St. Jean’s only comment as he waited for an elevator to take him to the 25th floor, where arbitrator John Feerick, dean of Fordham Law School, is running the hearing.

Ferrick’s ruling, which is binding under the collective bargaining agreement, is expected by mid-March at the latest.

“I’m fine, I’m doing good. I’m holding up,” a smiling Sprewell said as he waited for an elevator.

Sprewell said he returned to Oakland, Calif., last weekend after attending all four days of the hearing last week.

Sprewell plans to remian in New York through All-Star weekend, although he won’t be at the game. His one-year suspension prohibits him from attending NBA events.

Sprewell had the remaining three years and $25 million of his contract terminated after he attacked Carlesimo at practice Dec. 1. The suspension was the longest non-drug penalty in league history. Sprewell has filed grievance against the NBA and the Warriors.

St. Jean was expected to testify about the events on the day of the attack, as well as what happened in the ensuing days as he first tried to trade Sprewell and then abruptly announced the decision to terminate his contract. On the day of the attac, St. Jean was in his office at the Warriors’ practice facility but did not witness it. After Sprewell came back a second time time and allegedly punched Carlesimo, he ran into St. Jean’s office and found the general manager on the phone with his agent, Arn Tellem.