Murphy Proclaims Innocence

Tears streaming down his face after appearing in court Wednesday, former Houston Rocket star Calvin Murphy insisted he did not molest five of his daughters.

“I am not guilty of these charges,” Murphy said after his initial court appearance in Houston on the charges. “I can’t emphasize that enough.”

Murphy, 55, played for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983 and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was granted a leave of absence from his Rockets’ TV job while he fights three charges of indecency with a child and three charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

“My heart aches -- of course for me because I am in the spotlight -- but it really aches for my daughters, because there are reasons behind this kind of thing that will be brought out later,” said Murphy, whose next court date is April 27.

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NBA scoring leader Tracy McGrady will sit out the rest of the season after the Orlando Magic put him on the injured list because of left knee tendinitis.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves put guard Troy Hudson on the injured list because of a sprained left ankle and signed Darrick Martin for the rest of the season. Hudson already has sat out 45 games this season because of a right ankle sprain. ... Denver Nugget guard Jon Barry was fined $7,500 for yelling at officials after Saturday’s loss to the Utah Jazz.

From Associated Press