The Latrell Sprewell Saga; the war has just Begun

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

December 1997

If anyone has not heard (although I don't know how you could have missed it) Golden State G Latrell Sprewell was banned by the NBA for one year for his attack on Golden State head coach P.J. Carlesimo on December 1st. The Warriors organization suspended Sprewell for 10 games on December 1st after he choked Carlesimo; returned 15 to 20 minutes later and punched the coach. The Warriors terminated Spree's contract (4 years, $32 M) on December 3rd.

Since the banishment, the National Basketball Players'; Association (NBPA) has filed a grievance against the team and the league basically stating Sprewell was banned without a hearing or due process.

Let the battle begin.

On December 4th, the league banned Sprewell for one year.

``A sports league does not have to accept or condone behavior that would not be tolerated in any other segment of society,'' commissioner David Stern said. ``Accordingly, Latrell Sprewell is suspended from the NBA for one year.''

``Latrell Sprewell assaulted coach P.J. Carlesimo twice at Monday's practice,'' Stern said. ``First, he choked him until forcibly pulled away. Then, after leaving practice, Mr. Sprewell returned and fought his way through others in order to commit a second, and this time clearly premeditated, assault.''

Sprewell's side argues differently.

``To strip a player of his ability to pursue his livelihood for a full year based on one isolated incident is excessive and unreasonable punishment,'' said Billy Hunter, the Executive Director of the union. ``A $25 million forfeiture of salary and one-year expulsion is staggering.''

I agree the league should have heard Sprewell's side of the incident before he was banned. Depending on which side you listen to: the NBA: Spre hung up on the NBA's President of Security, Horace Balmer, who was asking Latrell questions about the incident or Sprewell's side who stated Latrell did not want to answer any questions without any representation present for the phone conversation.

However, I disagree with Arn Tellem, Sprewell's agent, who stated, "The NBA is a monopoly that's denying him his ability to work for a year. That's outrageous. In other industries, he'd at least have a chance to get a job in a similar field. He can't and that's what's so outrageous."

Arn, give me a break. Spre could play ball in Europe and make close to $3 to $4 M this year. I guess Arn didn't hear Latrell on December 3rd say, "I'll go overseas to play if I have to. And my life will go on if I never play basketball again." (Of course, Sprewell did make this comment before the league suspended him for year.)

Race is not an issue.

P.J. Carlesimo has a history of rubbing his players the wrong way with his "in your face coaching to motivate" style: guard Terry Dehere at Seton Hall and guard Rod Strickland at the Portland Trailblazers. A lot of coaches do. However, I believe a coach should know who he can blast and who he should give a pat on the butt. Sprewell was wrong for his actions and should deal with the consequences. Latrell is not the squeaky clean, victim as he portrayed at his press conference. Sprewell stated if anyone checks with any of his previous coaches from high school to the pros, all would tell you he's never had any run ins. Right, Spre. So, what do you call threatening to kill your teammate, Jerome Kersey, 2 years ago? Miami guard Tim Hardaway said he would leave the club if the Heat acquired Latrell because Tim remembers all the problems between he and Latrell when Hardaway was playing for Golden State 2 years ago.

The hearing is next month. Then, the fun really begins.

This war may have just begun.