League Cancels International Exhibitions

The NBA on Thursday canceled all international exhibitions, including two Laker games in Tokyo and one Clipper game in Mexico City, because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Laker officials are considering several options, but as of Thursday evening the team still intended to hold part of training camp at Honolulu, where it is scheduled to play the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 7. The Lakers also could hold the entire camp in El Segundo, a plan preferred by the players.

The two exhibition games against the Warriors will be made up, possibly by adding one game in Honolulu and the other at a site in California, or both in California.

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak spoke at length with Garry St. Jean, the Warrior GM, on Thursday, and St. Jean appeared willing to defer to the Lakers.

The NBA reached a decision after consulting with officials from the White House and the State Department, but, said league spokesman Brian McIntyre, “The decision was ours to make.”

Games in Germany and Italy involving the Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves were canceled, as was the Clippers’ game against the Orlando Magic in Mexico City on Oct. 21.

In all, six games were canceled. A Clipper official said the club had not decided whether to reschedule the game.

The cancellations meant the Lakers might push back the opening of camp from Sept. 29.

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Once strongly and vocally opposed to the NBA’s new rules allowing zone defenses, Shaquille O’Neal said this week that he is no longer so adamant. “It might cost me four or five points a game, but that’s all right,” he said. Laker coaches believe O’Neal could be more dominant against zones, particularly because of the opportunity for second-chance points.... The Lakers would like to add front-court depth, and have not dismissed the possibility of signing veteran Sam Perkins, released by the Indiana Pacers. It is more likely, however, they would look elsewhere. Chris Dudley, Dickey Simpkins and Sean Marks are being considered, among others.