Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott From Magic

Forward Dennis Scott, who wore out his welcome with the Orlando Magic with two off-court incidents this summer, was traded Wednesday to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Derek Harper and forward Ed O’Bannon.

The Mavericks also received $500,000 as General Manager Don Nelson continued his overhaul of the team. Since taking over in January, he has made four trades involving 18 players--including Jimmy Jackson, Jamal Mashburn and Sam Cassell--and signed free-agent guard Hubert Davis.

Scott averaged 12.5 points in 66 games last season, his seventh in the NBA. But he shot less than 40% from the field and contributed only three points per game in a first-round playoff loss to Miami.

Last week, Scott said he would not report to training camp, further infuriating Magic General Manager John Gabriel.

This came after an incident in July at his basketball camp in Virginia when he refused to sign autographs and complained about his $3-million salary while rap music with explicit lyrics blared from his vehicle. Scott later apologized and offered refunds to children. And in August, two persons were shot at an overcrowded Virginia hotel where Scott was throwing a birthday party for himself for which he charged admission. He was not charged in the incident.

The addition of Harper, a veteran point guard, is especially critical for the Magic as it considers moving Penny Hardaway to shooting guard. O’Bannon has been a disappointment as a pro since starring at UCLA.

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Free agent Jerome Kersey, a key member of the Lakers last season, signed a one-year contract with the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Lakers were interested in re-signing the 35-year-old forward earlier in the summer but pulled their offer off the table after landing Rick Fox. Kersey made 70 appearances in 1996-97, 40 as a starter, and averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 25.2 minutes.

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A former New Jersey Net employee, who prosecutors alleged wanted to live the fast life with the team’s players, was convicted of bank fraud for stealing nearly $100,000 from Kenny Anderson, a former Net guard now with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Angel Recalde, 27, of New York City was convicted in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by a jury that deliberated 11 hours, concluding he had forged Anderson’s name on checks paid to credit card companies. Sentencing was set for Jan. 7.

Tennis

Pete Sampras broke Felix Mantilla early in the third set, then took control to win, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, in the opening round of the Grand Slam Cup in Munich, Germany.

Patrick Rafter, the U.S. Open champion, hammered Thomas Muster, 6-2, 6-3, on the fast indoor surface. Also, Swedish Davis Cup hero Jonas Bjoerkman ousted defending champion Boris Becker, 6-3, 6-2, in what may have been the last major tournament for the German star.

Czech player Petr Korda beat French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, 6-3, 5-3. The Argentine, who earned two break chances to pull even in the second set, then twisted his ankle and retired after losing the game.

The event has tennis’ richest purse: $1.5 million to the winner.

Second-seeded Tim Henman became the latest upset victim in the $400,000 Toulouse Open, falling to Nicolas Kiefer, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, in a first-round match in France.

Albert Costa, the No. 1-seeded player, also lost in the first round. Their exits leave No. 3 Mark Philippoussis as the highest seeded player. Philippoussis beat Nicolas Thoman, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).

Soccer

Spain beat Slovakia to become the 14th nation to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.

In games among teams already eliminated, Georgia won, 1-0, at Moldova and the Czech Republic won, 1-0, at Malta.

Miscellany

The British Thrust SSC team heads back to the Nevada desert today after a day of assessing the fastest car in the world. Thrust is after the world land speed record and the speed of sound. Team boss Richard Noble is hoping both come today.

The dual jet-powered car hit 719.137 mph on Wednesday but a problem with the parachutes kept the speed from being official. To break the record of 633.47 mph, driver Andy Green must average at least 640 mph in two runs made in opposite directions and less than one hour apart.

On the other side of the desert, American Craig Breedlove plans to run in his challenge of the record on Friday after he deals with some mechanical problems.

Buffalo has been awarded an expansion team in the Arena Football League and will begin play in 1999.