Protest Against Mikes Brings About Compromise By Nba

Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy didn’t wear a microphone for Tuesday night’s game against the Houston Rockets. He didn’t have to.

Following an outcry of protests from coaches around the league, a temporary compromise was reached Tuesday between the commissioner’s office and the coaches’ association, giving coaches who do not wish to wear a wireless clip-on microphone a new option - having a boom microphone placed near their bench.

“To me, it’s a great compromise on the NBA’s part,” said Van Gundy, who had been one of the most vocal critics of the new policy under which teams could be fined $100,000 or more if a coach refused to wear a microphone.

The league office and the coaches’ association planned to talk again today to review how well the compromise worked during TNT’s telecast of the Knicks-Rockets game.

The boom microphone was to be positioned along the baseline near the Knicks’ bench and would be permitted to enter huddles during timeouts - as long as the huddle took place along the sideline and not on the court. Van Gundy also had the option of waving the microphone operator away.

“It’s a test,” league spokesman Seth Sylvan said, “and we’re going to talk to the coaches’ association tomorrow and review the game, talk over how it went.”

Van Gundy was gratified that the league had given credence to the concerns raised by several coaches, many of whom felt the policy was intrusive. He also said he is comfortable with the compromise.

Blazers overcome Kings

Arvydas Sabonis had 20 points and 16 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers, despite going scoreless for the first 5:13 of the fourth quarter, beat the Sacramento Kings 96-91 Tuesday night in Portland.

Knicks prevail on floor also

Uninhibited by a microphone and unburdened from controversy after the late compromise by the commissioner’s office, Van Gundy and the Knicks had everything go their way.

Latrell Sprewell scored 27 points, reserve John Wallace added 17, and Marcus Camby returned from the injured list and made a big defensive play as the Knicks beat the Houston Rockets 91-85 in New York.

Clippers trip Denver

Eric Piatkowski scored a career-high 31 points and Lamar Odom scored 13 of his 25 points in the final 6 minutes as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied to stun the Denver Nuggets 110-106 in Los Angeles.

Elsewhere

Dirk Nowitzki scored 28 points - 13 during a 15-0 run to open the second half - and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 111-90 in Dallas.

Penny Hardaway scored a game-high 26 points and the Phoenix Suns hit 22 fourth-quarter free throws to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100 in Phoenix.

At Orlando, Fla., Monty Williams scored 19 points, and Ron Mercer added 18 in his return from a five-game absence as the Orlando Magic beat the Washington Wizards 107-98.

The Miami Heat, sparked by first-time starter Bruce Bowen’s two 3-pointers, tied a franchise record with their 12th straight home victory, 108-104 over Milwaukee.

Vince Carter scored 23 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter after returning from a sprained left ankle, as the Toronto Raptors dealt the Golden State Warriors their seventh straight loss, 85-78, in Toronto.