Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 236

6 Section 4 Chicago Tribune, Friday, October 27, 1995 PRO BASKETBALL Sonic hit with paternity suit Thumbs up for O'Neal before, after operation NBA notes inMuraiMm.il,, i- iy Hj in tuwmwii si xY-s i From Tribune Wires Magic center Shaquille O'Neal underwent what his doctor called routine procedure" on his broken right thumb that will sideline him until about Christmas, his doctor said Thursday. "Six to eight weeks, that's the 4usual prognosis," said Dr. Richard Shure, who removed a tiny bone chip and inserted a steel pin to completely immobilize the thumb. O'Neal, who avoided reporters after the operation, made a thumbs-UD sien and auiDDed. and pressured her to have an abortion because he was in a relationship with another woman.

The 14-page suit details complaints in dramatic language. It chides the two-time NBA All-Star for portraying himself as a role model while "his own son is forgotten." Sections are introduced with phrases such as "No Assist There: Kimberly is Hospitalized in Payton's Hometown" and "The Talk is All Trash: Payton Continues With His Empty Promises." Eunice Ward, a Chicago attorney representing Payton, described the lawsuit as "outrageous and irresponsible." "It reads more like a tabloid magazine than a legal she said. "It's set up only to incite an emotional reaction rather than to obtain fair and adequate legal remedies." Goodwin termed the lawsuit an "inappropriate and misleading attempt" to tarnish Payton's image "with slanderous and untrue statements." "has regularly visited with Gary Jr." The petition contended that Payton had and would continue to make "reasonable" child support and medical payments, and would seek joint custody with Sparks, who named her son Gary Payton Jr. In her suit, she alleged that the Seattle SuperSonics guard "had always acknowledged that Gary Jr. was his son," but now forced her and her son to "undergo a humiliating test to determine paternity." John Zopuch in, one of Sparks' attorneys, said Payton had been paying child support but refusing to put a support agreement in writing.

When attorneys' negotiations stalled and Payton was told he would be sued, "he filed his own action before we went to court," Zopuch said. According to Sparks' lawsuit, Payton did not assist her through a difficult labor and childbirth By Michael Hirsley Tribune Staff Writer A Chicago woman suing NBA All-Star Gary Payton for written commitment of child support for her three-year-old son claims that after she resisted Payton's pressure to have an abortion, he has not visited or kept promises to pay the child's medical bills. Attorneys for Kimberly Florice Sparks filed the paternity suit Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. That is where Payton's attorneys filed a petition last Thursday seeking to ascertain through DNA testing that he was the boy's father. In a statement released Thursday, Payton's agent Eric Goodwin acknowledged that the tests revealed the child "was indeed his Payton's son.

"Mr. Payton will continue to provide for his son as he has since the child was born." Contradicting Sparks' claim, Payton's petition stated that he Bucks on Thursday decided to keep center Kevin Duckworth, who will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday. Bucks coach Mike Dunleavy considered rescinding the trade that brought Duckworth from Washington when he learned of Duckworth's injury. More surgery: Guard Aaron McKie of the Portland Trail Blazers has undergone surgery to repair a broken bone beneath his left eye. The injury is expected to take 4-6 weeks to heal, but McKie should return to play sooner with a protective mask.

Strong addition: Forward Derek Strong, an unrestricted free agent, signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Strong, 27, a four-year NBA veteran, played in 70 games for the Boston Celtics last season, averaging 6.3 points and a "Let's get it over," when he walked into Sand Lake Hospital in Orlando for the surgery. 'Shure said O'Neal's hand was AP photo Shaquille O'Neal leaves an Orlando hospital Thursday after surgery on his right thumb. career-high 5.4 rebounds. Charges dismissed A judge has dismissed misdemeanor traffic charges against Golden State Warriors guard Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell was stopped Sept 3 and arrested for various traffic violations, including having an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license. me mggesi ne naa ever operated on. "He has a very big hand," Shure -said. "He took up a big part of the hand table. We had to make a big cast for him" Bucks keep Duck: The Milwaukee THE AUTHORITY IN CELLULAR PHONES i PAGING WIRELESS DATA SOLUTIONS Bulls Continued from Page 1 play physically, a trait that led to fouling and then fouling out.

In fact, he's sixth on the all-time career list for disqualifications with 95, 32 behind all-time leader Vern Mikkelsen. He's also been in a few brawls with Bulls players over the years, something he hopes will not happen this year. Edwards, who broke into the league with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1977, has played for seven different NBA teams in his career, including the Pistons' championship teams in 1989 and 1990. He played for Portland last season, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 28 games. Edwards has played in 1,140 NBA games and has career averages of 13 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Bulls, who also waived free-agent center John Shasky on ftfnYr UV3 Thursday, thought they needed a vet-eran post player for the No. 3 center spot. The team's roster stands at 16, leaving center Jack Haley, guards Edwards I mo tfo CHICAGO 209 S. LaSalle St (312)658-3900 509 N.Orleans St. (312)3294400 ELMHURST 727 N.

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(708) 247-2300 Free Motorola Phone and Unlimited Calling Sign up for any Ameritech cellular eligible 2-year service plan and get a free Motorola Contour phone plus unlimited local calling for the rest of the year. To find out more about the offer that'll Kenny Harris and Ron- nie MacMahan, and guard-forward Jud Buechler all on the bubble. If playing time is any indication, Buechler has a leg up on Harris and MacMahan, who have seen limited preseason action. And with forwards Dickey Sim-pkins and Jason Caffey seeing time in the middle, Haley could be expendable. Haley has played sparingly.

"Obviously, there are some decisions we have to make," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson without elaborating. "James is one of those guys who has been around this game a long time," Jackson said. "We think he's still got some skills left that can help us." Edwards is expected to give the Bulls 10 to 15 minutes a game off the bench behind Wennington. That could turn into more time with the foul-prone Longley in the starting lineup. Jackson hopes Edwards can help the team in the foul department, much as Bill Cartwright did.

"James is a crafty center," Jordan said. "He's been around for a long time and he's been around for a reason: because he knows how to play the game." Edwards had a light workout with the team on Thursday, learning the basic nuances of the Bulls' triangle offense. Jackson said he would work Edwards in slowly and added that there's a chance Edwards won't be listed on the opening day roster. The Bulls begin the season Nov. 3 against the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center.

Longley will miss that game due to a suspension for fighting with Washington's Chris Webber. "I'm not sure that James is ready to step in at any time next week or so," Jackson said. "It may be a week, a couple of weeks or even a month." Whatever happens and whenever it happens, Edwards acknowledged he felt funny thinking about the prospect of wearing a Bulls uniform. He said he even got a chuckle when he first saw Rodman in a Bulls uniform "It is kind of strange with all those battles we had when I was in Detroit," Edwards said. "To have two of the Detroit players here me and Rodman is very (with eligible 2-year plan) have you talking for the rest of the year, stop by any Ameritech Cellular Center, or call 1-800-MOBILE-l, extension ACC.

Contract, taxes, tolls, fees and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 111895. 1995 Ameritech. All rights reserved. I (Ameritech gteieritech" Your Link to Better Communication ceuuiar CEttnn sifliBW fir aasnv strange.

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