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Tuesday, March 13, 2001
NBA tells McGrady to keep chef comments mum
Associated Press
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando's Tracy McGrady said he could use
food to woo future free agent Chris Webber to the Magic, but the
National Basketball Association wants him to swallow those words.
McGrady was warned about comments he made to the Orlando
Sentinel that could be taken as tampering, NBA spokesman Seth
Sylvan said Tuesday.
Webber, who can leave Sacramento after the season, recently
complained about having to drive 90 minutes to find a decent
soul-food restaurant in California.
"I've got my own personal chef -- who can make anything Chris
wants -- and he can come eat at my house anytime," McGrady told the
Sentinel for a story published Tuesday. "You know Chris would fit
damn well on our team next season."
Sylvan said Stu Jackson, NBA vice president for basketball
operations, talked to McGrady on Tuesday.
"He (McGrady) was contacted and he was explained how the rules
of tampering apply, and was asked to please refrain from making
additional comments," Sylvan said.
"I understand the league's position," Orlando coach Doc Rivers
said. "I think the league wants to protect each franchise. They
just have to. It is a business, and they have to take it
seriously."
This is the second time this season that the league has
cautioned a player about possible tampering violations with Webber.
In November, New York's Latrell Sprewell was warned after telling
reporters that he was lobbying to have Webber, his former teammate
in Golden State, come to the Knicks.
Webber, 6-foot-10 forward in his eighth year, is averaging 27.8
points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
The Kings have a record of 42-19, a game ahead of Portland for
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