NBA Skips Brawl Talks

Ron Artest took the witness stand and described, in his words, one of the worst brawls in NBA history. Teammates Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O’Neal and Anthony Johnson did the same, and a union attorney and one of O’Neal’s bodyguards also testified.

The NBA, contending the arbitrator had no jurisdiction, declined to participate.

One of the strangest grievance hearings in NBA history unfolded Thursday at a New York law office three blocks away from league headquarters, with arbitrator Roger Kaplan hearing arguments on the brawl-related suspensions issued by Commissioner David Stern.

The union asked for a “significant” reduction in each of the suspensions. Kaplan indicated he would not issue a ruling for at least a week.

Stern suspended Artest for the rest of the season, Jackson for 30 games, O’Neal for 25 games and Johnson for five.

The NBA has filed suit against the union and the four players in U.S. District Court, contending they are pursuing a grievance before an arbitrator who has no authority to intervene.

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After years of denying an imminent sale, Cleveland Cavalier owner Gordon Gund said he was involved in talks with a potential buyer.

Citing unidentified sources, the New York Daily News reported that the franchise is close to being sold to Dan Gilbert, chief executive of Quicken Loans, for $375 million.

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Toronto Raptor forward Vince Carter will miss at least two games because of a strained left Achilles’ tendon, suffered in Wednesday’s loss to Detroit, the team said.

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A sore back kept Clipper point guard Marko Jaric out of practice for the second consecutive day, leaving him in doubt for Saturday’s game against the Lakers.

Zeljko Rebraca missed practice because of back spasms.

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The Lakers were called the NBA’s most valuable franchise by Forbes magazine for a third consecutive year. The Lakers are worth $510 million, a 14% increase from last season, according to the magazine, which ranks franchises based on market size and revenues for the 2003-04 season, among other factors.

The Clippers were 26th at $224 million.

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Denver Nugget forward Rodney White was suspended without pay for one game by the NBA for pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon this week.... The Washington Wizards suspended forward Kwame Brown for one game for refusing to join a team huddle during Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets.

Times Staff Writers Mike Bresnahan and Chris Foster contributed to this report.