Battling Wizards Apologize

Washington Wizard Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said he thinks Tracy Murray and Rod Strickland have put their feud behind them but acknowledged such fights scar the NBA as a whole.

Both players issued public apologies Friday for their altercation before Wednesday night’s game in Charlotte, N.C. The team had fined each player $25,000.

While the conflict was not related to the much-publicized fight between Golden State Warrior guard Latrell Sprewell and Coach P.J. Carlesimo, Bickerstaff said both damaged the league’s image.

“It is [related], because this is the NBA,� he said Friday after a practice. “It’s something that none of us condone.�

Murray spoke to reporters Friday morning after the team’s shootaround but declined to answer questions.

“I’d like to say this is an embarrassing thing to be involved in,� he said, still wearing a bandage under his left eye. “And I’d like to apologize to everybody involved . . . especially Rod.�

Strickland, who arrived in Boston after meeting with General Manager Wes Unseld, said before Friday night’s game against the Celtics that he wanted “to apologize to the organization and my teammates for the incident that occurred with me and Tracy and just want to let it be known on the record [that] what happened was an incident that I wish didn’t happen.�

Strickland, who also declined to answer questions, added, “as far as I’m concerned, it’s over with between me and Tracy. And now it’s just going out there and trying to win some games with each other and with the rest of our teammates.�

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A lawyer for the Warriors has forbidden all Golden State employees from speaking about Sprewell’s suspension--including the team’s broadcast team.

With Sprewell’s one-year ban from the NBA on appeal, Warrior lawyer Robin Baggett has instructed everyone in the organization to keep quiet about the player’s attack on Carlesimo.

Announcers are allowed to speak about the incident in general terms and refer to published reports, but are forbidden from offering opinions or revealing facts that might be known only to members of the organization.

“It’s blanket for all employees,� Baggett told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I do understand the broadcasters are in a difficult situation, but the rule applies to them too. We told them not to engage in opinions, and to attribute everything. It’s very delicate; we’re encouraging them to walk a fine line as best as possible.�

But announcers are having a difficult time explaining events to listeners.

“It’s a restriction, especially on talk shows like the ‘Warriors Roundtable,’ � radio play-by-play announcer Tim Roye said. “Talk shows are a form of opinions and feedback. I understand the directive, but that makes it difficult.�

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Phoenix Sun guard Kevin Johnson, playing what is expected to be his last season, underwent surgery on his right knee and is expected to sit out at least six weeks. . . . The Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to fill a hole left by the injury to Bob Sura, signed journeyman point guard Scott Brooks.