Latrell Sprewell publicly apologized to coach P.J.
Carlesimo yesterday and "began building a public case"
against the Warriors and the NBA for the termination of his
contract and a one-year suspension, according to David
Steele on the front page of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The
conference was seen live on national sports networks and
carried live by Bay Area radio and TV. Sprewell did not
take any questions, but in his statement said that he was
not allowed to tell his side of the story regarding his
physical assault on Carlesimo. Sprewell: "I was willing to
meet with the team and the league after being suspended, and
it just seemed like no one wanted to hear what I had to
say." Sprewell was joined by NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter,
agent Arn Tellem, attorney Johnnie Cochran and other
advisors. He was also flanked by seven NBA players,
including six teammates from the Warriors. Hunter: "The
league used the public reaction as a pretext to come down
heavy-handed. ... I just don't think the degree of
punishment is acceptable" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/10). Hunter:
"What we'd like to see is the expulsion lifted, thereby
providing him the opportunity to join another team."
Cochran called the one-year suspension a "rush to judgement"
and added, "Nobody bothered to listen to his side. That is
not the American way" (THE DAILY). Talk of any racial
conflict between Sprewell and Carlesimo was downplayed by
both Cochran and Hunter (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 12/10).
Tellem: "[T]he main issue here ... is the abuse of power by
the commissioner's office in levying this fine which is
totally out of line, and in total disregard to all
precedents in the history of sports" (ESPN, 12/9). The case
will be heard "no sooner" than January 4 by arbitrator John
Feerick, Dean of Fordham Law School (N.Y. TIMES, 12/10).
LEAGUE RESPONSE: In a statement, NBA Exec VP/Chief
Legal Officer Jeffrey Mishkin said the investigation into
the Sprewell incident "included 23 interviews by the NBA
Security Department, one of which was with Mr. Sprewell
himself." Mishkin also added, "Prior to notification to the
Players Association of Mr. Sprewell's suspension, no request
was made by Mr. Sprewell, or anyone acting on his behalf,
for a meeting of any kind" (NBA).
WELCOME, MY FRIENDS, TO THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS: In
Washington, Jennifer Frey: "Although it generated an amazing
amount of attention -- and, Sprewell's advisors hope, some
positive public relations -- the news conference did nothing
to soften the dispute between Sprewell and the league, a
dispute that has drawn a line between management and the
players' union" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/10). In N.Y., Mike
Wise writes Sprewell appeared "serene" and "composed" (N.Y.
TIMES, 12/10). In Chicago, Teddy Greenstein called Sprewell
"composed, almost solemn" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/10). In his
ESPN SportsZone column, Art Spander writes the press
conference "atmosphere reeked of a circus and of damage
control. Whether it reeked of candor is anyone's guess"
(SportsZone, 12/10). In S.F., Tim Keown: "[W]hat he said
would have sounded really good about eight days ago. A few
hours after the attack it would have been more poignant, but
yesterday it was damage control" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/10).
