In an "unsightly scene" near the conclusion of last
night's Heat-Knicks game, Heat C Alonzo Mourning and Knicks
F Larry Johnson were "taking swings at each other like
prizefighters," with Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy "hanging
onto Mourning's leg beneath the fray," according to Selena
Roberts of the N.Y. TIMES. The league will review films of
the melee today before making a determination on whether any
players will be suspended for the fifth and final game on
Sunday in Miami. But Johnson said that he was "already
anticipating a suspension by the league." Van Gundy: "I am
embarrassed for both organizations and for the league" (N.Y.
TIMES, 5/1). One NBA official told Kevin Kernan of the N.Y.
POST that "both players will be suspended for Sunday's game"
(N.Y. POST, 5/1). In N.Y., George Willis writes that while
the players are at fault, the game officials allowed "play
to get so rough that emotions finally exploded." Willis:
"The NBA should be embarrassed" (N.Y. POST, 5/1). After the
game, MSG President Dave Checketts said, "I'm so sick of
this. We're supposed to be celebrating an incredible win.
... And now all we have is a circus" (DAILY NEWS, 5/1).
More Checketts: "We talk about sportsmanship and role models
and all that stuff, I think sometimes I've given up hope
about that" (N.Y. POST, 5/1).
