Rider Is Suspended for Going in Stands

Thanks to guard Isaiah Rider, the Portland Trail Blazers lead the NBA in more than the standings. Rider was suspended without pay for a league-high third time this season for entering the stands late in Tuesday’s 93-90 loss at Golden State.

Rider sat out Wednesday’s game against Sacramento.

It is unclear why Rider entered the stands with about two minutes to go.

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Don’t count on Michael Jordan owning a piece of the Charlotte Hornets and playing for them too.

It would be against NBA rules, it might tarnish his place in history, and it would involve him bouncing a basketball again--something he says he’s finished doing.

That was the reaction Wednesday from the league, Jordan’s agent and one of his close friends after a report that the five-time MVP was considering coming out of retirement to play for the Hornets next season if he is successful in purchasing a share of the team.

“There’s absolutely no truth to it,” agent David Falk said in a statement released by his office.

“He’s the greatest player to ever play the game, and he would only do himself a disservice,” Charles Barkley said. “I just hope he doesn’t play because he’d damage his legendary status.”

And even if Jordan wanted to play for the Hornets, it would be against league rules to do so if he was a part-owner. The NBA prohibits owners from being players, as Magic Johnson learned three years ago.

While the prospect of Jordan returning to the court was being widely shot down, the possibility of him becoming an owner remained open. Earlier this month, Jordan held face-to-face discussions with Hornet owner George Shinn about buying a 50% share of the team, and the two have agreed to meet again in the near future.

Fox Sports, citing unidentified sources close to Jordan, reported Tuesday night that Jordan’s best-case scenario would involve him playing one full season for the Hornets while his ownership shares were held in a trust or otherwise deferred.

“The Michael Jordan and George Shinn negotiations have never involved a playing role for Jordan,” Hornet spokesman Harold Kaufman said.

Jordan, vacationing in the Bahamas, did not return a message seeking comment. NBA Commissioner David Stern was out of his office and could not be reached.

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Boston Celtic forward Popeye Jones will be out the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. It is the second year in a row Jones had his season ended because of a knee injury. The 6-8, 250-pound Jones averaged 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18 games. . . . The Detroit Pistons put guard Charles O’Bannon on the injured list because of right knee tendinitis and activated guard Joe Dumars. . . . Denver Nugget rookie center Keon Clark will be sidelined seven to 10 games because of a partially collapsed left lung.