And 1, which recently signed an endorsement deal with
Knicks G Latrell Sprewell, has "picked up" the $25,000 fine
levied against him by the team for comments made by his
agent, Robert Gist, according to Selena Roberts of the N.Y.
TIMES. And 1 Founding Partner Jay Coen Gilbert: "We've got
Latrell's back." Sprewell was fined last week for comments
made by Gist that were "critical" of team management. MSG
President Dave Checketts, who imposed the fine, was
unavailable for comment, but MSG Senior VP/Corporate
Communications Barry Watkins said the team would still take
the fine out of Sprewell's paycheck. Sprewell, on And 1:
"That's saying a lot for them to say that they're taking
care of somebody like that" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/24). Sprewell:
"I like the relationship I have with [And 1]. As early as
last year, after all I went through, they were making calls
and inquiring about me." The money from the fine will go to
the Red Holzman Knicks' Kids Foundation to help
underprivileged children (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/24).
LOOK AT THE PUB IT GOT THEM: In Denver, Mike Monroe
called And 1's move an "idiotic publicity ploy. ... Just
what the NBA -- and America -- needs right now: someone else
spitting in the face of authority" (DENVER POST, 4/25).
JOHNSON CLEARED: The NBA has dropped its investigation
of Knicks F Larry Johnson stemming from a New York magazine
report that stated he exposed himself to Knicks Dir of PR
Lori Hamamoto (See THE DAILY, 4/22) (N.Y. TIMES, 4/24).
