http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/455104.html
Kings Notes: Stern won't be a factor in Artest's arbitration
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 26, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C9
LAS VEGAS – Ron Artest vs. David Stern, this is not.
As the Kings' small forward neared his Nov. 1 arbitration hearing in New York regarding his seven-game suspension to start the season, he had expressed a hesitance to follow through with the appeal based on the belief the NBA commissioner would not allow his ban to be shortened. And while Stern has certainly used a heavy hand in dealing with Artest since his part in the 2004 brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich., as well as making clear the influence of Artest's history when deciding on seven games for Artest's no contest plea to domestic violence in May, the commissioner will play no part in the outcome of the appeal.
The man behind the motion will be arbitrator Calvin Sharpe, a Cleveland-based law professor at Case Western Reserve University. He also serves as the director of the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Conflict and Dispute Resolution. Per the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, only appeals relating to on-court matters fall under Stern's jurisdiction. Appeals rooted in off-court situations fall on an arbitrator. A timeline for resolution, however, is unclear.
The CBA states a decision must be reached within 30 days of the hearing, though it could be expedited given the circumstances. Yet if Artest's suspension was shortened after he already missed all seven games, he would receive his regular pay despite missing those games. The Kings, meanwhile, would receive no rebates for their early-season hope of a quick start.
Under the current agreement, players lose 1/110 of their annual salary per game suspended, meaning Artest – who was scheduled to make $7.4 million this season – would lose $470,909 if his ban isn't shortened.
Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, contends seven games is excessive based on the nature of the crime, citing a case with former Seattle player Ruben Patterson as precedent. While with the Sonics in 2001, Patterson was accused of attempted rape of his child's nanny and was suspended for five games.
Close-game critic – Close isn't good enough for Kings coach Reggie Theus.
Even if John Salmons was fouled in the final seconds of the Kings' 92-90 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night, Theus said a day later that he was upset when his play was "blown up" before that point. Late-game execution, much like in the Kings' 101-99 loss to Dallas on Oct. 16, was subpar in Theus' mind as he said a habit of "shortcutting plays" appeared to be a problem.
Theus said he called a post play for forward Kenny Thomas, but Salmons wound up outside the three-point line where official Violet Palmer didn't call a foul when Cuttino Mobley appeared to rake his shooting arm.
"In the last three minutes of the ballgame, we got two good shots at the basket," Theus said. "I give them great freedom on the floor to create, to make things work. But along with that great freedom comes great responsibility. Time and score are very important aspects of winning games, and you have to learn how to do that. And this team, even at the pro level, has not learned how to win games yet."
Thomas starting ... for now – First, the season-long disclaimer from Theus as it pertains to his starting five.
"There's nobody's spot that is going to be their spot just because it's their spot," Theus said. "That's not how I am. That's not how I'm going to do it. The obvious is that most guys will sustain their spots once they're in there."
That being said, Theus deemed Thomas the winner of the power forward starting position over Mikki Moore.
"As of right now, Kenny would be – if the season started today – the starting (power forward)," Theus said.
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
Kings Notes: Stern won't be a factor in Artest's arbitration
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, October 26, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C9
LAS VEGAS – Ron Artest vs. David Stern, this is not.
As the Kings' small forward neared his Nov. 1 arbitration hearing in New York regarding his seven-game suspension to start the season, he had expressed a hesitance to follow through with the appeal based on the belief the NBA commissioner would not allow his ban to be shortened. And while Stern has certainly used a heavy hand in dealing with Artest since his part in the 2004 brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich., as well as making clear the influence of Artest's history when deciding on seven games for Artest's no contest plea to domestic violence in May, the commissioner will play no part in the outcome of the appeal.
The man behind the motion will be arbitrator Calvin Sharpe, a Cleveland-based law professor at Case Western Reserve University. He also serves as the director of the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Conflict and Dispute Resolution. Per the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, only appeals relating to on-court matters fall under Stern's jurisdiction. Appeals rooted in off-court situations fall on an arbitrator. A timeline for resolution, however, is unclear.
The CBA states a decision must be reached within 30 days of the hearing, though it could be expedited given the circumstances. Yet if Artest's suspension was shortened after he already missed all seven games, he would receive his regular pay despite missing those games. The Kings, meanwhile, would receive no rebates for their early-season hope of a quick start.
Under the current agreement, players lose 1/110 of their annual salary per game suspended, meaning Artest – who was scheduled to make $7.4 million this season – would lose $470,909 if his ban isn't shortened.
Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, contends seven games is excessive based on the nature of the crime, citing a case with former Seattle player Ruben Patterson as precedent. While with the Sonics in 2001, Patterson was accused of attempted rape of his child's nanny and was suspended for five games.
Close-game critic – Close isn't good enough for Kings coach Reggie Theus.
Even if John Salmons was fouled in the final seconds of the Kings' 92-90 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night, Theus said a day later that he was upset when his play was "blown up" before that point. Late-game execution, much like in the Kings' 101-99 loss to Dallas on Oct. 16, was subpar in Theus' mind as he said a habit of "shortcutting plays" appeared to be a problem.
Theus said he called a post play for forward Kenny Thomas, but Salmons wound up outside the three-point line where official Violet Palmer didn't call a foul when Cuttino Mobley appeared to rake his shooting arm.
"In the last three minutes of the ballgame, we got two good shots at the basket," Theus said. "I give them great freedom on the floor to create, to make things work. But along with that great freedom comes great responsibility. Time and score are very important aspects of winning games, and you have to learn how to do that. And this team, even at the pro level, has not learned how to win games yet."
Thomas starting ... for now – First, the season-long disclaimer from Theus as it pertains to his starting five.
"There's nobody's spot that is going to be their spot just because it's their spot," Theus said. "That's not how I am. That's not how I'm going to do it. The obvious is that most guys will sustain their spots once they're in there."
That being said, Theus deemed Thomas the winner of the power forward starting position over Mikki Moore.
"As of right now, Kenny would be – if the season started today – the starting (power forward)," Theus said.
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
