1996 NBA FINALS WATCH : NBC Analyst Charged With Assault

Peter Vecsey was charged Friday with fourth-degree assault in an attack on a man who reportedly called the NBC basketball analyst “an idiot” at a Toys R Us store in Lynnwood, Wash.

The charge was filed in Lynnwood District Court a day after Vecsey and another man were sued by Derek and Tracey Nephew for unspecified damages in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The second man, identified only as “John Doe 1” in the suit, also may be charged with assault, said Mike Jacobs, Lynnwood city attorney. The man lives in the area and has no apparent connection with NBC, Jacobs said.

Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

“I’d love to say something but I can’t,” said Vecsey, who also writes an NBA column for the New York Post.

Both cases stem from an episode Tuesday at the suburban store.

A police report and the lawsuit gave the following account:

Derek Nephew told police that his wife recognized Vecsey as the couple shopped. Nephew told his wife he didn’t believe her and added, “And besides, Peter Vecsey is an idiot.”

Vecsey, who was with two other men, heard the comment and the two got into an argument, a police report said. Nephew then said he thought some of Vecsey’s comments on the air were “kind of stupid.”

When Vecsey told him to leave the store, Nephew said he was shopping and wasn’t going to leave. Vecsey then said, “I’m not going to hit you, but my friends will,” Nephew told police.

Nephew said he tried to walk away, but one of the men with Vecsey grabbed him and hit him, and Vecsey joined in.

A witness supported Nephew’s account, telling police he heard Nephew say, “I don’t want to start anything.”

Nephew was treated for cuts and bruises on his arms and head.

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Chicago Bull guard Steve Kerr, the No. 2 three-point shooter in the NBA during the regular season, has seen his shot disappear.

Kerr shot 52% from three-point range during the regular season. But in five games against Seattle, he is three for 20. On Friday night, when the Bulls desperately needed some outside shooting, Kerr was one for seven.