The NBA : Clipper Executives, Commissioner Keep Knives on the Table

More than a few people were surprised when National Basketball Assn. Commissioner David Stern recently spoke at a luncheon in Century City welcoming the Clippers to Los Angeles. The league, after all, is suing the franchise for $25 million for moving here from San Diego without permission.

What could have been an explosive confrontation turned out to be as bland as the entree that was served. After listening to local business leaders and politicians say how pleased they were to have the Clippers in town and Clipper executives say they were happy with the move, Stern handled the delicate situation amicably.

In fact, he seemed to treat the lawsuit as nothing more than a family squabble. Afterward, he talked with Clipper owner Donald T. Sterling, President Alan Rothenberg and General Manager Carl Scheer.

Pete Rozelle and Al Davis should take note of such proper etiquette.

Instead of publicly castigating the Clippers for what he believes is a blatant disregard for the NBA bylaws, which state that any team seeking a move must first file an application and await approval, Stern avoided talking specifically about the lawsuit.

“They are our Clippers,” Stern told the crowd. “They are one of our 23 teams. We wish them success wherever they may play.”

Meeting the media afterward, Stern was asked to elaborate. Choosing words carefully, he said:

“We’re going to leave it to the lawyers. There has been a complaint that’s been filed, and I think that the litigation can take many different approaches. We’ll leave that to a judge or possibly a jury.

“Overall, we just have a little dispute as to what our procedures (for moving a franchise) are and how they should be applied. And we’ve done the gentlemanly thing by asking the court to tell us which side is right.”

Stern said that “a successful Clipper franchise is vital to the NBA,” and he is pleased that the club’s attendance has increased by almost 4,000 over last season’s figures at San Diego.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a doubt that Los Angeles is a great sports town and that L.A. is capable of supporting more than one franchise,” he said. “(But) if any NBA owner doesn’t comply with NBA rules, they will be treated the same way. From a partnership perspective, if you sign on, you agree to follow certain rules, and it becomes the job of the league office to enforce those rules.”

The Clippers, of course, maintain that each team is an individual entity and point to the Raiders’ string of legal victories over the NFL in their move from Oakland to Los Angeles as proof.

Stern said he didn’t want to discuss particulars of the lawsuit. “If you get the impression that I’m not anxious to talk about it, you’re correct.”

However, Stern was anxious to give a state-of-the-league address.

“The NBA had its most successful season at the gate last year,” he said. “This year, it’s running well ahead of that. Generally, our strong franchises not being for sale have put us in a position where the majority of our teams are going to make money this year.

“Perhaps in the next two or three years, perhaps we’ll be able to say that all 23 teams are making money in a league where the players will receive 53% of the gross (as a result of the collective bargaining agreement).”

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Milwaukee Bucks. At least, that’s what they were thinking would happen after four veteran players left the roster after last season.

Veteran center Bob Lanier finally gave in to chronic knee problems and retired, and in late September, veterans Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgeman and Harvey Catchings were traded to the Clippers for forward Terry Cummings and guards Craig Hodges and Ricky Pierce.

But the Bucks are leading the Central Division with a 22-11 record and have won eight straight games. In the last two weeks, they have beaten the Boston Celtics both at home and on the road, and they beat Philadelphia on the road.

Milwaukee has been able to thrive without what was considered the heart of their lineup due to excellent all-around play by the 23-year-old Cummings, the leadership and defensive prowess of guard Sidney Moncrief and the surprising play of forward Paul Pressey.

“We are doing the intangible things well,” said Coach Don Nelson, whose team is 15-1 at home. “Our new guys are blending together so well. Cummings has made a giant step forward to becoming an excellent team player.”

Cummings has always been an exceptional scorer, but Nelson has stressed defense, rebounding and passing to him. “I should wear a saddle on my back during practice,” Cummings said. “That’s how hard he (Nelson) has ridden me. But I’m working on improving myself as a player.”

Except for Cummings and Moncrief, the Bucks are basically a nameless bunch. The starting center is Alton Lister, and he’s backed up by Paul Mokeski. Hodges, a reserve with the Clippers, starts in the backcourt.

“This isn’t a sirloin steak and trout almandine team,” Philadelphia General Manager Pat Williams said after the Bucks beat the 76ers. “This is more like french fries and hamburgers. But it is working. There’s something likable about them. On paper, they look like a bunch of rejects, yet they’ve been beating teams that are stronger, man to man.”

True story: The Philadelphia 76ers staged a Charles Barkley Christmas party Dec. 21, when they met the Bucks. Any fan who weighed more than 260 pounds (about Barkley’s weight) received a free ticket. Anyone else had to pay only half-price.

The Knicks’ Bernard King, who scored 60 points in a loss to New Jersey last Tuesday, is drawing rave reviews around the league.

This from Boston’s Larry Bird: “I don’t understand how Bernard does it. He’s in heavy traffic--guys all over banging him and waving their arms--and he gets the shot off. Not just any shot, but the shot he wants--and he cans it. Time after time. He’s the best scorer I’ve seen or played against.”