CNN/SI's Fred Hickman has received "anonymous threats
of bodily harm" ever since it was revealed that his lone NBA
MVP vote for 76ers G Allen Iverson kept Lakers C Shaquille
O'Neal from being a unanimous winner, according to Scott
Soshnick of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Hickman says that he has
received threats on his voice mail at CNN headquarters and
has notified CNN security, which is "taking precautionary
measures." Hickman, who said that he "won't attend Lakers
home games ... anytime soon": "I'll let things calm down
first. ... This is stuff I always take seriously. These are
the days of Columbine." Hickman added that he is "upset"
with the NBA because his vote was "leaked to the media," and
he has contacted league officials about the leak, but "no
explanation" has been offered. Hickman: "I can't find out
where it came from, but somebody gave me up." Several
"media outlets, including rival ESPN," have poked fun at
Hickman's vote, calling it a publicity stunt. Hickman:
"It's very sad. The level of professionalism that my
colleagues [have] displayed is abysmal" (BLOOMBERG NEWS,
5/12). Hickman told the BOSTON GLOBE that he feels the vote
leak "lies somewhere between the NBA personnel who tallied
the votes and the Lakers, who received advance notice of the
results to make arrangements with O'Neal." Hickman: "The
one thing that bothers me is, whatever happened to the
sanctity of a vote?" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/14).
REAX TO VOTE CONTINUES: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote,
"Depending how you feel about this whole deal, you can be
mad at Hickman for depriving Shaq of the unanimous victory
or you can applaud the Tapehead for standing his ground and
sticking by Iverson" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/14). In DC, Dan
Daly: "Aren't we getting a little carried away here? I
mean, when exactly did it become a crime in this country to
go against the flow, to beg to differ? Isn't that the
American way?" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/11). But in Boston, Bob
Ryan wrote, "Face it, Freddy. You've made a fool out of
yourself for all sports eternity" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/14).
