Daily Egyptian Reporter 18

Being one of the few Latrell Sprewell fans still in existence, I am not here to argue that his actions toward P.J. Carlesimo were justifiable.

Sprewell physically abused his coach, and the NBA had a right to take disciplinary actions. The Golden State Warriors initially suspended him for 10 games without pay. He was set to lose $1 million of his $7.5-million annual salary.

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Justice is served, right?

Two days after the incident, the Warriors decide to void Sprewell’s four-year $32-million contract.

OK, though the punishment may be harsh, justice is served now.

A day later, the NBA decides to interfere when commissioner David Stern called for a one-year suspension of Sprewell. Sprewell is barred from signing with any other NBA team until Dec. 3, 1998.

Didn’t the pursuit of justice go a tad bit far?

In a league where Dennis Rodman can completely make a mockery of the sport with his unnecessary behavior, the NBA always seems to make an example of lesser-known players, including Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell, who plays for one of the worst teams in the league and is not a public icon, had never broken any league violations until now. Rodman, a member of the five-time champion Chicago Bulls, makes a habit of bending the rules whenever he can.

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During the Bulls’ last two championship runs, Rodman has kicked a courtside cameraman, head-butted a referee and repeatedly told Stern and other NBA officials he did not care what actions the league takes.

Still, Rodman was in uniform for the playoffs to help the Bulls continue their reign.

Was it because the worm once dug in Madonna’s soil?

But it’s not just Rodman who receives this special treatment from the league. Superstars Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal both exercised their privileges this season.

Barkley threw a fan through a window, and O’Neal sucker- punched another player on the opposing team. Both were suspended one game, and the incidents were considered comical rather than serious by the media.

But in 1995, Houston Rocket guard Vernon Maxwell is slapped with a 10-game suspension for his assault on a fan in the stands. Maxwell, a non-marquee player, was triggered by the fan’s repeated remarks about his deceased daughter.

Now labeled Mad Max, Maxwell is viewed as a negative figure in professional sports.

Is Sir Charles considered a role model because he’s paid to wreak havoc on outspoken fans?

Even Michael Jordan has been involved in physical altercations, but no actions against him were taken. Jordan’s run-in with teammate Steve Kerr in practice was portrayed in Sports Illustrated as His Airness just showing his competitive drive. Tell that to Kerr and his bloody nose.

Does Jordan have that right because he is a CEO and can score 50 in wing tips?

The NBA has shown a greater leeway for the more marketable players who fill the arenas than the average ball player.

Sprewell’s suspension is the longest in NBA history, breaking the previous record of 24 games (60 days) set by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kermit Washington in 1977. Washington broke the jaw of Rudy Tomjanovich with a devastating rabbit punch.

The knock on Sprewell is that he attacked the coach twice, and did not apologize to Carlesimo for his behavior.

Did Shaq send Greg Ostertag a copy of his new CD after slugging him? Or maybe Rodman gave that cameraman Madonna’s phone number. And what did Barkley tell the reporters who asked him of the Sprewell’s failure to apologize?

I didn’t apologize to the mother f***er I threw through the window in Miami, Barkley said, as the reporters chuckled.

And Sprewell is the one serving a year-long suspension.