Rose Sidelined 4-6 Weeks After Breaking Left Wrist

Indiana Pacer swingman Jalen Rose could miss 4-6 weeks after breaking his left wrist Wednesday night in an exhibition opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rose was injured when he crashed hard to the floor after a dunk with 3:05 remaining in the first half.

He left the game with what was thought to be a sprain, but he learned Thursday that the wrist is broken.

The injury, however, will not require surgery.

Rose was selected the NBA’s most improved player last season when he led the Pacers in scoring with an 18.2 average.

*

Allen Iverson will take steps to eliminate offensive lyrics from the final version of his rap album, NBA Commissioner David Stern said Thursday after meeting with Iverson at league headquarters.

Stern declined to fine or suspend Iverson but issued a strongly worded statement critical of the Philadelphia guard, whose controversial rap recording contains violent references and derogatory terms about gays, women and blacks.

“It was a good meeting. I’m glad we had it. I’m glad he called me in,” Iverson said. “It’s important for me to be a professional about the whole thing. I’ve got to play a season. My rap album is over. At this point, the only thing you can do is handle it like a man.”

By agreeing to eliminate some of the lyrics, Iverson made a departure from his earlier stance. After a meeting with civil rights groups earlier this week, Iverson said he would not change any lyrics.

Stern released a four-paragraph statement.

“The lyrics that have been attributed to Allen Iverson’s soon to be released rap CD are coarse, offensive and anti-social. . . . Notwithstanding the music’s wide popularity, Allen, by even recording his lyrics, has done a disservice to himself, the Philadelphia 76ers, his teammates and perhaps all NBA players. However, I do not believe that the NBA should be in the business of regulating artistic expression, no matter how repugnant,” Stern said.

A union official who accompanied Iverson to the meeting said Iverson had already changed some of the lyrics before meeting with Stern.

The album, titled “Non-Fiction,” is scheduled to be released in February.

*

Dick Oland Klein, who founded the Chicago Bulls in 1965, died Tuesday night at 80 in Greenville, S.C. Cause of death was not known. He sold the team in 1970.