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Sunday, January 28, 2001
Guard faces possible fines, suspension
ESPN.com news services
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| Rider |
Lakers guard Isaiah Rider has run afoul of the NBA's drug policy and is facing fines and a potential suspension, the L.A. Daily News reported Friday citing an NBA source.
No suspension is imminent, but if it happens, the Lakers might be inclined to waive Rider rather than endure another unneeded distraction.
The case dates back to Rider's brief career with the Atlanta Hawks last season. A Hawks official caught Rider smoking marijuana in his hotel room in February and reported him to the league. Atlanta waived him six weeks later.
Under the NBA's drug policy, a player who is caught using a banned substance must adhere to a strict after-care program to remain in good standing. Among the requirements are random testing and periodic meetings with an NBA counselor.
The details of Rider's case are unclear, but according to the league source, Rider has not complied with the requirements of his after-care program and that's the source of his current problem.
On Jan. 17, two NBA officials came to the Lakers' El Segundo practice facility and delivered a letter to Rider informing him he was out of compliance and faced a potential five-game suspension if he did not cooperate immediately.
Per league policy, Rider is being fined daily until he complies.
Everyone involved declined to comment on the issue Friday. The NBA has strict confidentiality rules regarding its drug program and does not involve team officials in these cases.
"We would not know whether anything is or is not going on regarding any of our players that have anything to do with the anti-drug program," general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "The collective-bargaining agreement expressly spells out that that information is held between the player, the league and the players association, and it's not shared with anybody."
Arn Tellem, Rider's Los Angeles-based agent, was unavailable for comment. Rider did not show for the pregame media session Friday night as the Lakers prepared to play the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center.
Reports of Rider's latest trouble first surfaced in Friday's editions of the New York Post. Billy Hunter, executive director of the players association, later issued a statement saying it would not comment on the story, "other than to say that the report is filled with inaccuracies."
The Lakers, desperate for a third scorer, signed Rider to a one-year contract Aug. 25, even as they acknowledged they had reservations about his shaky past.
Since joining the Lakers, Rider's most serious offense has been constant tardiness. But it's his past malfeasance that could hasten the end of his Lakers career, if not his NBA career entirely.
The league's marijuana policy calls for a first-time offender to enter the NBA's after-care program. A second offense results in a $15,000 fine and re-entry into the program. Any additional offense brings a five-game suspension, plus re-entry into the program.
But repeat offenders also can be kicked out of the NBA. The Lakers, who have a low tolerance for such behavior, probably won't wait that long and could act as soon as Rider draws his first drug-related suspension.
Rider has a long history of run-ins with the league and the law. He was convicted for marijuana possession during the 1996-97 season while playing for Portland. That same season, he pleaded no contest to charges of possessing illegal cell phones with an intent to defraud.
"We were and are well aware as far as due diligence and homework on Isaiah," Kupchak said. "There have been no surprises with bringing him on board, for anybody."
Overall, Kupchak said the team has been pleased with Rider's conduct.
"With the exception of the struggles he's had with acclimating himself to the offense and the nuances of what our coach runs here, his frustrations with not playing as much as he'd like to, he's been probably as good as we could have expected, as a player to work with," he said. "Really, on no account could we question his effort or his desire or want to play with this team."
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