Antoine 13 pts, Mavs lose...

["Stephen Beauregard" <sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bryant returns to cheers
Laker plays first game since arrest
By Associated Press, 10/24/2003

Kobe Bryant, welcomed by a thunderous roar when he was introduced, played in a
game last night for the first time since being charged in July with sexual
assault.

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Bryant put in 32 minutes for a Lakers team featuring Shaquille O'Neal and new
teammates Karl Malone and Gary Payton in a 107-101 exhibition loss to the Los
Angeles Clippers.

Working his way back from knee surgery, Bryant started the game and finished
with 15 points. There were sporadic chants of "Kobe! Kobe!" when he was on the
court, although when a closeup of him was shown on the big screen in the
second quarter, there were scattered boos.

Bryant has been ordered to stand trial in Eagle, Colo., on charges of sexually
assaulting a 19-year-old worker at the resort where he was staying. He has
said the sex was consensual.

Although he was very active, Bryant looked rusty, with one 3-point try ticking
off the front of the rim. But Bryant appeared relaxed, at one point hugging
and joking with Quentin Richardson of the Clippers, and also sharing a laugh
with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy during a break.

Bryant said before the game that he wasn't nervous. "No, not at all," he said.
"I'm excited to finally get out on the floor and play with those guys.
There'll be some kinks that will get worked out.

"It's the same old, same old."

Cavs-Raptors on ice

The Toronto Raptors' exhibition game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was
canceled in St. John's, Newfoundland, because of condensation on the floor,
which was laid over a hockey rink. After the teams were introduced and the
anthems performed, Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill and Cavs coach Paul Silas
complained to officials about the heat in the building. The players were sent
back to their locker rooms, while kids wiped the floor with towels, and the
heat was turned down. Players tried to warm up again about 45 minutes after
the scheduled start, but to no avail. The Cavaliers had already left the
building for their bus while fans in the arena awaited word on whether the
game would be played . . . Dell Curry was hired as the director of basketball
relations for the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. It's the perfect role for
Curry, an original member of the Charlotte Hornets who maintained a home in
the area long after his playing days were over. Curry will be part of the
Bobcats' community relations, public relations, sales, and marketing efforts
and be an adviser and scout on the team's basketball operations staff.

Allen injures ankle

Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen will see an ankle specialist after an MRI
revealed a loose particle in his right ankle. Allen, a three-time All-Star
acquired by the Sonics last February, complained of soreness during Seattle's
preseason win over Golden State Wednesday night. The former University of
Connecticut standout was examined yesterday afternoon, but Sonics general
manager Rick Sund said later yesterday that the team didn't have any
additional information . . . Alonzo Mourning had 14 points and 11 rebounds to
lead the New Jersey Nets to a 90-83 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in an
exhibition game. Kerry Kittles led the Nets with 17 points. Kenyon Martin
scored 13 points and Rodney Rogers added 12. Glenn Robinson, who missed a
3-pointer with 1:11 remaining that would have given Philadelphia the lead,
finished with 16 points. Allen Iverson scored all 12 of his points in the
first half as the Sixers moved out to a 39-34 lead at the break. Iverson was 0
for 6 from the field in the second half . . . Two days after being dealt by
the Celtics, Antoine Walker made his debut with the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday
night at Sacramento. Walker scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting (he was 2 for
2 on 3-pointers) in the Mavericks' 121-99 loss to the Kings. Walker led the
Mavericks with seven assists . . . Jason Richardson of the Golden State
Warriors was sentenced to one year of probation in Saginaw, Mich., for
assaulting his ex-girlfriend. The NBA suspended Richardson for the season's
first three games because he was convicted of domestic violence in August.

Thanks,

Steve
sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx