Latrell Sprewell will hold a press conference today "to
press his grievance against" the Warriors and the NBA,
according to David Steele of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The public
appearance will come amid reports that Sprewell and his
former coach P.J. Carlesimo "exchanged apologies in a
telephone conversation over the past weekend." Sprewell's
S.F. attorney, Kurt Robinson, told KNBR-AM radio that "his
client and Carlesimo had spoken on the phone." Sprewell
reportedly "apologized for his actions, Carlesimo apologized
for his role in it, and the two accepted each other's
words." The Warriors had no comment and have "refused
comment on any aspect of the case since Thursday, citing
pending litigation." For the press conference today, NBPA
Exec Dir Billy Hunter is expected to join Sprewell, along
with Robinson, his agent Arn Tellem and attorney Johnnie
Cochran (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/9). The press conference will
be carried live in the Bay Area (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/9).
UNION STRATEGY: ESPN's David Aldridge reported that a
public apology to Carlesimo "is only one of several issues
that Sprewell's camp is wrestling with." Aldridge: "Should
race, for example, be emphasized? The union has little
interest in exploring that angle, and, according to sources,
neither does attorney Johnnie Cochran. ... Sprewell's appeal
... likely will argue that the league's year-long penalty
violates a labor tenet known as graduated discipline."
Citing suspensions previously given to Dennis Rodman, Vernon
Maxwell and Nick Van Exel, Aldridge said that "the union
will argue that Sprewell's penalty vastly exceeds those
already established" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 12/8).
EDITORIALS: In Seattle, the TIMES called NBA
Commissioner David Stern's one-year suspension of Sprewell
"right on all counts." Stern "has grown increasingly
intolerant of unacceptable behavior. ... This is welcome
after recent years of boorish or thuggish behavior" (SEATTLE
TIMES, 12/8). The N.Y. TIMES writes that the league's
decision "sends a strong message to players and fans that it
will not tolerate thuggery" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/9).
TOP TEN: Letterman's Top Ten last night was "Other
Things That Will Get You Suspended From the NBA." No. 10)
Show up to a game in the same dress as Dennis Rodman; No.
9) Suck the air out of the basketball and then tell everyone
how "baked" you are; No. 8) Get caught chugging a bottle of
Michael Jordan's cologne; No. 7) Exceed maximum height of
19 feet 6 inches; No. 6) Suggest that the referee blow
something other than his whistle; No. 5) At halftime, roast
team mascot on a giant spit; No. 4) Invite Karl "The
Mailman" Malone to "sort your package"; No. 3) Slam-dunk
your ass into a spectator's nachos; No. 2) Drop your shorts
and dribble without using your hands and No. 1) Scratch up
the court with your high heels ("Late Show," CBS, 12/8).
