Fans Boo, and Cheer; Suns Win : Humphries Scores 21 Points After Drug Indictments

Guard Jay Humphries, one of three current Phoenix Suns indicted here Friday on cocaine charges, was given a mixed reception before Saturday night’s game against the Clippers.

There were scattered boos from the crowd of 10,578 when the former Inglewood High School star was introduced at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and some fans held up signs saying, “Boo” and “Suns Shame.”

Humphries, who was indicted on one count of conspiracy to transfer and/or possess a narcotic drug, refused to speak to reporters before the game.

“I have no comment,” Humphries said as he arrived before the game. “Talk to my attorney.”

Once the game started, the boos changed to cheers for Humphries and the Suns.

Humphries scored 21 points, including 15 in the first half, and had 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in 36 minutes as Phoenix ended its season with a 121-106 come-from-behind win over the Clippers, who have lost 13 straight.

Guard Grant Gondrezick, an ex-Pepperdine player, who was indicted along with Humphries, center James Edwards and former Suns Mike Bratz and Garfield Heard in the biggest drug scandal ever to hit a National Basketball Assn. team, scored 4 points and passed off for 1 assist in 5 minutes off the bench in the second half.

Gondrezick was indicted on three counts--conspiracy to possess a narcotic drug, transfer or offer to transfer a narcotic drug and attempt to possess a narcotic drug.

“I have no comment,” Gondrezick said. “I’m sorry. I just can’t do it (talk).”

Humphries and Gondrezick both made quick exits after the game.

William Friedl, a Phoenix attorney who has been hired to defend Humphries, said his client was innocent of the charges.

“I’ve asked Jay to make no comment until his innocence is determined in a courtroom,” Friedl said during a press conference before the game.

“The only thing we know is that Jay is accused in a case by himself, not with his teammates.

“There were no allegations of use during the current season. The only allegation is that from October of 1984 to December of 1985, during his rookie season, he was alleged to have been around Walter Davis when either marijuana or cocaine was used.

“To my knowledge, there has never been any innuendo involving Jay in any way with gambling or point-shaving.

“He’s married and has a small child. We’re anxious to get this matter to court, and at that time he’ll make a statement.”

Guard Walter Davis, who was suspended by the Suns Friday after he announced that he had a drug relapse within the last year, didn’t attend the game and wasn’t available for comment.

Davis will enter a drug treatment center in Van Nuys next week. He will be banned from the NBA if he suffers a third relapse.

Davis was granted immunity after he testified before the grand jury in the hearing that led to the indictments.

Edwards, who was also indicted on three counts--conspiracy to possess a narcotic drug, conspiracy to transfer a narcotic drug and conspiracy to transfer or possess marijuana--attended the game but didn’t play. Edwards has been on the injured list since last November after undergoing surgery on an Achilles’ tendon.

Reggie Turner, the Los Angeles-based attorney who is Edwards’ agent, said: “This is a legal witch hunt.

“But the damage has been done. The majority of people have formulated opinions that he’s guilty. We want it to come to trial because that’s the only way to clear up his reputation.

“The only thing I think James is guilty of is having known something and not come forward. Now to have these same people come forth two years later is a real travesty.

“For all we know, he (Davis) could have been high as a kite when he testified before the grand jury.

“We expect to have James available for a complete statement after the test results come out next Monday. I’m 100% certain that the test results will be negative.

“James didn’t do any drugs. We have a record of that. He has never been in any type of drug rehab program, and he’s never had a drug problem.

“One of the biggest problems I have with the indictment is that there are no specific dates, times or quantities (of drugs) mentioned.

The Arizona Republic had reported that the investigation was triggered after Edwards, while visiting Malarkey’s night club in Phoenix with two other NBA players, allegedly said that the point spread in the Milwaukee-Phoenix game on Feb. 21 would not exceed 226 points. Milwaukee won 115-107, a total of 222 points.

However, Turner denied that Edwards had been at Malarkey’s on the night he was supposed to have been talking about the point spread.

“There was no accusation about gambling or point-shaving. The first we heard about it was what we read in the paper. He doesn’t even know what a point spread is.”

Humphries, Gondrezick and Edwards were given drug tests after the indictments were announced Friday. They were eligible to play in the game since the results won’t be known until Monday. The Suns left it up to the players to decide whether or not they would play.

If the test results indicate drug use, they will be banned from the league because they didn’t voluntarily come forward for treatment.

Dick Van Arsdale, the Suns’ interim coach, said: “Jay called me this morning and said he wanted to play. He didn’t seem to let anything bother him. Humphries was one of the big factors in the game.”

Said forward Walter Nance, who was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points: “The best statement he (Humphries) could make was by playing. Once he got on the court he forgot all that stuff.”

Said Jerry Colangelo, the Suns’ general manager: “Yesterday was like rock bottom for us.”

Fan reaction to the players involved in the drug scandal was mixed.

Said one fan, Chad Romseburg, of Phoenix: “I think players who take drugs should be off the team and locked up.”

However Bob Barnes of Phoenix, a long-time Sun season ticket-holder with front-row tickets, said: “These are accusations, not convictions. Some of these (players) may not have done anything at all.”

During the second half of the game, some fans held up a sign that read: “Support our Suns.” There was mild applause for this display at first, but then it built into an extended ovation.