http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/118367.html
Kings Notes: Fit official won't blow whistle on racing Barkley
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:27 am PST Sunday, February 4, 2007
He's used to avoiding the spits of venom, so this was a nice change of pace in that sense.
Official Dick Bavetta, forever remembered by so many Kings fans for his role in the controversial Game Six of the 2002 Western Conference finals, found a supporter in the front at Arco Arena on Saturday night.
"I'm betting on you, Dick," said David Carlson, 53, of Jackson.
"Thank you, sir," Bavetta said. "I think that's a wise decision."
The game at hand was not the Kings-Nuggets affair, but the much talked-about footrace between Bavetta and Charles Barkley. The Hall of Famer and TNT analyst has been taking good-natured shots at the 67-year-old Bavetta on the air recently and challenged him to a sprint between the younger, rotund one and the older, but fit, referee.
Among his zingers, Barkley said Bavetta had "parted the Red Sea with Moses" and that his gravestone would read, "He keeled over while racing 'the Chuckster.' "
When Carlson contended that Barkley might weigh twice as much as the wispy Bavetta, Bavetta said: "Try three times. I'm only 160 pounds."
As for whether the race actually will take place, Bavetta wasn't sure. "I don't even know if this thing is going to happen," he said just before tipoff. "I haven't changed anything. I do my eight miles every day whether there's a race or not."
If the race is on, Bavetta has one stipulation.
"I want something with turns in it, not a straightaway (but) back and forth," he said. "The longer it is, the better it is for me."
Circus shot -- Allen Iverson wasn't in town to provide the theatrics, so Ron Artest did his best to make up for it. Midway through the third quarter, Artest dribbled behind his back to get by a defender in the paint, then threw up a left-handed layup softball-style from his hip. It fell in for a 59-49 lead, and Artest couldn't help but smile.
Iverson, the Nuggets star, missed the trip with a sprained ankle and the flu.
Run of success -- There were oddities all over the place the last time the Nuggets beat the Kings at Arco Arena.
Before the streak ran to 20 consecutive Kings wins after Saturday's victory, the last Denver win came on Jan. 7, 1997. Garry St. Jean coached the Kings then, and former Kings coach Dick Motta coached the Nuggets.
Current Kings forward Corliss Williamson came off the bench for Sacramento, and former Kings big man LaSalle Thompson was a Nuggets reserve.
The Kings' starters were Mitch Richmond, Olden Polynice, Tyus Edney, Billy Owens and Michael Smith.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Fit official won't blow whistle on racing Barkley
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:27 am PST Sunday, February 4, 2007
He's used to avoiding the spits of venom, so this was a nice change of pace in that sense.
Official Dick Bavetta, forever remembered by so many Kings fans for his role in the controversial Game Six of the 2002 Western Conference finals, found a supporter in the front at Arco Arena on Saturday night.
"I'm betting on you, Dick," said David Carlson, 53, of Jackson.
"Thank you, sir," Bavetta said. "I think that's a wise decision."
The game at hand was not the Kings-Nuggets affair, but the much talked-about footrace between Bavetta and Charles Barkley. The Hall of Famer and TNT analyst has been taking good-natured shots at the 67-year-old Bavetta on the air recently and challenged him to a sprint between the younger, rotund one and the older, but fit, referee.
Among his zingers, Barkley said Bavetta had "parted the Red Sea with Moses" and that his gravestone would read, "He keeled over while racing 'the Chuckster.' "
When Carlson contended that Barkley might weigh twice as much as the wispy Bavetta, Bavetta said: "Try three times. I'm only 160 pounds."
As for whether the race actually will take place, Bavetta wasn't sure. "I don't even know if this thing is going to happen," he said just before tipoff. "I haven't changed anything. I do my eight miles every day whether there's a race or not."
If the race is on, Bavetta has one stipulation.
"I want something with turns in it, not a straightaway (but) back and forth," he said. "The longer it is, the better it is for me."
Circus shot -- Allen Iverson wasn't in town to provide the theatrics, so Ron Artest did his best to make up for it. Midway through the third quarter, Artest dribbled behind his back to get by a defender in the paint, then threw up a left-handed layup softball-style from his hip. It fell in for a 59-49 lead, and Artest couldn't help but smile.
Iverson, the Nuggets star, missed the trip with a sprained ankle and the flu.
Run of success -- There were oddities all over the place the last time the Nuggets beat the Kings at Arco Arena.
Before the streak ran to 20 consecutive Kings wins after Saturday's victory, the last Denver win came on Jan. 7, 1997. Garry St. Jean coached the Kings then, and former Kings coach Dick Motta coached the Nuggets.
Current Kings forward Corliss Williamson came off the bench for Sacramento, and former Kings big man LaSalle Thompson was a Nuggets reserve.
The Kings' starters were Mitch Richmond, Olden Polynice, Tyus Edney, Billy Owens and Michael Smith.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
I only had a problem with 1 of the fouls in that now infamous game 6...the one where Bibby's nose fouled Kobe's elbow...and flagerantly, no less. Oh well, thats in the past. Go Chuck! LOL
