Malone Tries to Get His Point Across

Karl Malone is appalled at the NBA’s choice of rookie Allen Iverson as player of the week.

Iverson averaged 44.5 points during a four-game stretch, scoring 40 or more in five consecutive games. But his Philadelphia 76ers were 0-5.

“It’s a mockery of the game,” Malone said. “Oh-and-five and you score 40? So what?” said Malone, Utah’s all-star forward. “In this game, the name of the game is to win with pride, or to lose with pride.”

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Portland guard Isaiah Rider was fined by the Trail Blazers for refusing to enter a game. Rider was benched for the first quarter of Wednesday night’s game against Denver after he was late for two practices. When Coach P.J. Carlesimo tried to put Rider in at the start of the second quarter, the player refused. The Trail Blazers didn’t disclose the amount of the fine.

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Charles Oakley joined New York Knick teammate Patrick Ewing in denying accusations of sexual harassment by two flight attendants who later quit working on the club’s private jet.