Sprewell Issue Offers Quandary
Imagine a couple with a stormy marriage seeking a divorce, only to have a judge rule the union intact. Latrell Sprewell and the Golden State Warriors face a similar scenario.
A day after an arbitrator reinstated Sprewell’s contract with the Warriors and reduced his NBA suspension, the Warriors were left wondering how they’ll handle the situation when Sprewell’s suspension ends July 1.
The Warriors will be able to trade Sprewell after his eligibility is restored, and teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets already have made it clear they’re interested in the former All-Star guard.
But will the Warriors be able to get fair value for a player who choked his coach? Or will the Warriors give Sprewell another chance to play for P.J. Carlesimo, who said Wednesday night he could work with Sprewell again?
“If I have to, of course I can coach Sprewell again,” Carlesimo said. “Spree is going to be in this league again, and whatever I say to him, I’m going to say to Spree, not to you guys.”
Sprewell, who has apologized privately and publicly to the coach, has said he could play for Carlesimo again.
Sprewell was not available for comment Thursday and a representative for his agent, Arn Tellem, said there were no immediate plans for a statement from Sprewell.
General manager Garry St. Jean did not rule out a return by Sprewell to the Warriors, but said a lot will depend on the trade possibilities.
The Warriors terminated the remaining three years on Sprewell’s $32 million contract on Dec. 3, two days after he choked Carlesimo during practice. On Dec. 4, the NBA suspended Sprewell for a year.
Arbitrator John Feerick ruled Wednesday the dual penalties were too harsh. He reinstated the contract and reduced the suspension by five months.
Williams sidelined
Jayson Williams of the New Jersey Nets will be sidelined indefinitely because of an abdominal strain suffered during the Nets’ loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
On the courts
The Washington Wizards took an early lead and weathered a fourth-quarter surge with big defensive plays to end the New York Knicks’ three-game winning streak with a 103-90 victory Thursday night in Washington.
Calbert Cheaney scored 27 points, Chris Webber had 26 and Rod Strickland added 21 points and 10 assists.
Tim Hardaway had 25 points, including 10 points during a 19-2 run early in the third period, as the visiting Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets 117-93 for their 10th straight road victory.
Martin Muursepp and Chris Anstey had career highs of 24 and 20 points, respectively, and the Dallas Mavericks topped the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 119-109.
In Milwaukee, Ray Allen scored 26 points and Glenn Robinson had 22 as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Denver 104-87 to end a three-game losing streak and extend the Nuggets’ losing skid to 13 games.