Report Offers Insight Into Sprewell Hearings
The details of the Latrell Sprewell hearing can now be told.
A gag order that was in force during Sprewell’s arbitration case expired when arbitrator John Feerick released his decision. His 106-page ruling is chock full of details that no one could talk about until now.
Among the tidbits:
Sprewell had his hands around coach P.J. Carlesimo’s throat for “seven to 10 seconds.” The coach offered no resistance as he was being choked and testified that it became difficult to breathe.
Screaming and profanity were frequent occurrences around the Golden State Warriors, and Sprewell and Donyell Marshall were singled out more than others as the objects of Carlesimo’s tirades.
Deputy commissioner Russ Granik recommended to Commissioner David Stern that Sprewell’s suspension last through the end of the season, not a full calendar year. Stern chose the tougher penalty, but Feerick opted for Granik’s suggested punishment instead.
League security director Horace Balmer tape-recorded his telephone interview with Sprewell without the player’s knowledge. Stern did not listen to the tape or read a full transcript. Instead, he was given an abbreviated transcript.
When the Warriors’ lawyers and general manager informed Carlesimo they intended to terminate Sprewell’s contract, the coach argued that Golden State should trade him instead.
Arn Tellem, Sprewell’s agent, testified that Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean told him the entire affair had been taken over by “higher authorities.” St. Jean testified he did not recall making such a statement.
When Sprewell was kicked out of practice after the choking incident, no one was sent to make sure he left the building. After a previous Sprewell blowup, assistant coach Rod Higgins said the coaches “talked about next time we have to make sure guys leave the facility and … if security has to be called in, it has to be called in.”
Sprewell was nearly traded to San Antonio the day after his attack. The Detroit Pistons also would have been involved in the three-way deal.
Postman rings up 40
In Milwaukee, Karl Malone scored 40 points as the Utah Jazz took advantage of the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks for a 110-92 victory Saturday night, stretching their winning streak to six games.
Malone scored more than 30 points for the third straight game as Utah won for the 14th time in its last 16 games.
Adam Keefe added 16 points for the Jazz, who completed a five-game road trip without a loss.
For the Bucks, leading scorer Glenn Robinson was out with a hyperextended left knee and top rebounder Tyrone Hill missed the game with an upper respiratory condition.
In Dallas, Tim Hardaway scored 27 points and Alonzo Mourning had 21 points and 16 rebounds as the Miami Heat extended their road winning streak to 11 games with a 94-88 victory over the Mavericks.
Michael Finley’s 24 points led the Mavericks, who had won three of their previous four. Cedric Ceballos added 17 points, A.C. Green had 16 and rookie Chris Anstey had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas.
Around the league
Bulls coach Phil Jackson had a talk with Dennis Rodman about how to behave with four free days before today’s game against the Knicks: “He assured me that he’s not making any midnight flights to Vegas for a 24-hour crash course on how to gamble away your money. He’s going to take it easy. I can’t say I count on that 100 percent, but I believe him.” … Patrick Ewing was spotted shooting free throws during the Knicks’ shootaround Thursday in Washington. It could be a sign that he might make good on his vow to play again this season after undergoing wrist surgery in December. Knicks officials have maintained that a return is unlikely… . After Yinka Dare was waived by the Magic, he continued to hang around the Orlando team and even tried to get into the team picture, asking the equipment manager if he could get his uniform.