Bullets Suspend Bernard King Because of ‘Detrimental Conduct’

The Washington Bullets suspended Bernard King for four days Thursday for conduct detrimental to the team, which reportedly included shoving Coach Wes Unseld, General Manager John Nash said.

The 36-year-old forward issued an angry ultimatum Tuesday night, demanding that the team either activate him or release him. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that King pushed Unseld at practice and threatened Nash by saying he would disrupt practice if he was not activated.

Nash said he returned from a scouting trip Thursday “outraged” at what had taken place.

“Bernard stated that he would disrupt the team if his demands were not met,” Nash said, adding that King, who earns $2.5 million per year, will be put on the suspended list immediately and will be put back on the injured list after the suspension.

King, who returned to the Bullets unexpectedly on New Year’s Day, has not played since late in the 1990-91 season, having undergone arthroscopic surgery 15 months ago to remove cartilage from his right knee.

The NBA has given the Bullets two weeks to decide King’s status. Should King become a part of Washington’s active roster, a player would have to be cut and the playing time of other forwards would decrease.

King could not be reached for comment.