Mason Makes Apology, Denies Charges Again

An embarrassed Anthony Mason apologized to his family and teammates Monday and denied charges that he had sex with 14- and 15-year-old sisters.

“Did I do this? No, definitely not,” the Charlotte Hornet forward said after the team’s practice in New York for a game tonight against the Knicks. “I’m innocent.”

Mason was charged Sunday with statutory rape, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child following accusations by the girls that he and a cousin had sex with them. Mason, released on $20,000 bail, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

“I’d like to say I’m sorry to my family and for the embarrassment of this situation,” Mason said. “Once again, it’s a silly situation. I’d like to say sorry for the embarrassment to the team.”

Mason’s agent, Don Cronson, reiterated his client’s stance.

“He did nothing wrong, nothing illegal,” Cronson said. “Nothing, nothing, nothing.”

Cronson said Mason was in the car with the girls but that all they were doing was “driving around.”

Meanwhile, the Queens district attorney’s office has asked Mason for a blood sample, which he will provide on March 9 when he next appears in court.

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Never discount the Michael Jordan factor, but Chicago Bull Coach Phil Jackson seems resigned to ending a tenure which includes five championships when his one-year contract i fulfilled at the end of the season.

“At the end of the year, it’s going to be hard to say goodbye. It’s going to be really tough,” said Jackson, whose differences with General Manager Jerry Krause are the main reasons for the departure.

But Jackson added: “Michael has a tremendous sway in this game as we all see from the effect he had in the All-Star game. Michael is the only one who could change it.”

Jordan--publicly invited back last week by Krause, who also pointedly reaffirmed Jackson’s departure--has said again and again that if Jackson doesn’t return, he won’t either.

Jackson said Jordan’s strong backing of him as the only coach he will play for has been uncomfortable at times.

“It makes me feel like I am standing in the way of him continuing his career. Some of it does. The other thing is that the organization is a bit to fault in it too,” Jackson said.

Jordan, however, is staunch in his decision.

“I think it’s more of a personality conflict,” Jordan said of Jackson and Krause. “His success as a coach is impeccable and I don’t think that can be questioned, but I think it’s more personal than anything.”

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The Washington Wizards, hurting at the guard position, signed Lawrence Moten to a 10-day contract. He replaces Tim Legler, sidelined at least six weeks because of a right hamstring injury. The other backup shooting guard, Ledell Eackles, is sidelined 3-4 weeks after knee surgery.