Kemp Is Suspended Indefinitely
Portland Trail Blazer forward Shawn Kemp was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NBA on Friday for violating terms of the league’s anti-drug agreement.
The NBA said the suspension will continue until he has resumed full compliance with his treatment program. Kemp, who also has battled weight problems, left the Trail Blazers late last season for treatment of cocaine abuse.
“Obviously we’re very sadly disappointed, but we’re very supportive of Shawn and his efforts in his personal life. We’re pulling for Shawn,†Blazer President and General Manager Bob Whitsitt said.
Kemp, who signed a seven-year, $98-million contract in 1997 after moving from Seattle to Cleveland, is averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 13.6 minutes in 52 games this season, his second with Portland. Each game Kemp misses will cost him $141,889 of his $12.77-million salary.
“I talked to Shawn a little while ago,†Trail Blazer Coach Maurice Cheeks said. “He’s a little sad, a little disappointed in himself. He says he’s going to come back, he’s going to do everything he has to do to get back.â€
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Houston Rocket guard Steve Francis will undergo tests Monday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to determine the cause of recurring migraine headaches.
Francis has missed five games this season because of the problem and has played in other games with the headaches.
“It would be nice to double-check everything,†team physician Dr. Walter Lowe said.
The Rockets have tested Francis but have not pinpointed the reason for the headaches.
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The Seattle SuperSonics put starting power forward Vin Baker on the injured list because of three dislocated toes on his left foot. Baker, injured against the Lakers on Feb. 14, has a protective boot on his left foot and is out indefinitely.... Forward Jerome Williams has been activated from the injured list by the Toronto Raptors, who also put center Mamadou N’diaye on the list with an injured foot. Williams missed nine games because of a high ankle sprain.... New Jersey Net center Todd MacCulloch was put on the injured list because of inflammation in the arch of his left foot. While bothered by the foot for weeks, MacCulloch missed his first game of the season Tuesday. Forward Donny Marshall was activated from the injured list to take MacCulloch’s place on the roster.... Cleveland Cavalier backup point guard Bimbo Coles will have arthroscopic knee surgery Monday. Coles was put on the injured list Feb. 15 and has missed the last four games.
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