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| ROCK COUNTY NOW DAILY NEWS: Sports |
Burress posts bail, will appear in court in March
NEW YORK – It was just 10 months ago that Plaxico Burress became an instant New
York sports hero after his clutch performance in the Super Bowl. But on Monday,
Burress was hauled out of a police precinct in handcuffs facing two weapons charges
that could send him to jail.
His season and future with the Giants is in doubt.
Authorities also said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in
York sports hero after his clutch performance in the Super Bowl. But on Monday,
Burress was hauled out of a police precinct in handcuffs facing two weapons charges
that could send him to jail.
His season and future with the Giants is in doubt.
Authorities also said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in
the episode, in which Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg with what authorities say was an illegal .
40-caliber Glock pistol.
Police want to talk to Pierce about whether he helped cover up the shooting.
"It was a universe of silence after this shooting," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.
Burress posted $100,000 bail and was told by the judge that his next appearance won't be until March 31.
In the meantime, the Giants and the NFL will have to make a decision about what to do with the trouble-
prone wide receiver.
Burress did not say anything in court Monday and did not make a statement to the NYPD when he was
booked at a midtown precinct. His lawyer stressed that Burress is innocent until proven guilty and denied
Burress took part in any sort of cover-up.
"He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Benjamin Brafman, his defense lawyer. "I think any
professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."
The case also drew the wrath of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said it would be an outrage "if we didn't
prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" and lashed out at the hospital for allegedly failing to report the
shooting to the authorities.
Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan about
1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.
40-caliber Glock pistol.
Police want to talk to Pierce about whether he helped cover up the shooting.
"It was a universe of silence after this shooting," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.
Burress posted $100,000 bail and was told by the judge that his next appearance won't be until March 31.
In the meantime, the Giants and the NFL will have to make a decision about what to do with the trouble-
prone wide receiver.
Burress did not say anything in court Monday and did not make a statement to the NYPD when he was
booked at a midtown precinct. His lawyer stressed that Burress is innocent until proven guilty and denied
Burress took part in any sort of cover-up.
"He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Benjamin Brafman, his defense lawyer. "I think any
professional athlete in this situation would be concerned."
The case also drew the wrath of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said it would be an outrage "if we didn't
prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" and lashed out at the hospital for allegedly failing to report the
shooting to the authorities.
Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan about
1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.
Marbury's Knicks status "not resolved" in meeting
GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Stephon Marbury was ordered to stay away from the New York
Knicks on Monday while the team looks for a solution to the latest controversy surrounding
its point guard.
"After meeting with Stephon and his representative this afternoon, we have directed
Stephon not to participate in practice or attend games until further notice," Knicks
president Donnie Walsh said in a statement. "We want to continue to meet with him to
discuss a long-term resolution."
Knicks on Monday while the team looks for a solution to the latest controversy surrounding
its point guard.
"After meeting with Stephon and his representative this afternoon, we have directed
Stephon not to participate in practice or attend games until further notice," Knicks
president Donnie Walsh said in a statement. "We want to continue to meet with him to
discuss a long-term resolution."
Marbury's future with the Knicks was "not resolved" during his meeting with Walsh, according to the
players' association attorney representing him.
Marbury arrived at the team's practice facility at 2:25 p.m. and met with Walsh for about 20 minutes. His
representative, Hal Biagas, walked out of the building shortly after 3 p.m. and into the car where Marbury
was waiting.
"(We'll) try to keep this in house and so no comment at this time," Biagas said. "We'll keep you posted if
things happen."
Walsh suspended Marbury for one game without pay and docked him an additional game's salary last
week after the Knicks said the point guard refused coach Mike D'Antoni's request to play in a loss to
Detroit last Wednesday.
Biagas wouldn't say if Marbury, who was penalized nearly $400,000, was reinstated or if there had been
any progress toward a buyout.
"We had a conversation," he said.
Marbury wants out of New York and lashed out at teammates and coach Mike D'Antoni in Monday's New
York Post.
"I sat there for three weeks and didn't say one word," Marbury told The Post. "I didn't hear one of my
teammates say, `Why isn't Stephon Marbury playing? This is a good system for him, even to play with the
second unit and bring more firepower.'
"When things got bad and then worse, guys like Quentin Richardson say, `I don't consider him a
teammate. He let his teammates out to dry.' He didn't care I was his teammate when I was banished. They
left me out for dead. It's like we're in a foxhole and I'm facing the other way. If I got shot in the head, at least
you want to get shot by the enemy. I got shot in the head by my own guys in my foxhole. And they didn't
even give me an honorable death."
Knicks players have grown tired of the repeated controversies caused by Marbury, especially because
they'd like more focus on their improved play this season. New York (8-8) ended November at .500 or
better for the first time since going 7-6 in 2004.
"I don't know what to say to that, more than I'm sorry he feels that way and I don't get the impression that
we've done that," forward David Lee said. "But moving forward, as I said, this has just got to get taken
care of whenever it gets taken care of and we've just got to focus on winning. And buying into comments
like that or responding to them does nothing more than take the focus off our team and winning."
Richardson criticized Marbury after the game in Detroit, when the Knicks were forced to play short-handed
after injuries and trades. He seemed amused when asked about Marbury's comments after practice.
"He's entitled to his opinion just like I am. And obviously I said what I said and he feels differently about
that, and he's entitled to that," Richardson said. "The main thing we want to do is we want to play
basketball and win games. These aren't the things we want to come off the court and talk about."
Marbury isn't part of D'Antoni's plans and has been on the inactive list most of the season. However,
D'Antoni twice asked Marbury if he would play when the Knicks were undermanned.
"Mike had no intentions of me playing basketball here," Marbury said. "He gave me straight disrespect. It
was beyond disrespect. He put in (Danilo) Gallinari, whose back is messed up and (who) didn't
participate at all in training camp ahead of me (in the season opener). ... That's saying, `I'm letting you
have it right now.' He was sticking it to me."
Marbury also blasted D'Antoni in another interview with the Post last week, saying he didn't trust the
coach. Asked about Marbury's comments about playing time, D'Antoni said: "I hate that. Obviously he's in
a tough position and I don't think anybody's thrilled with where anybody is, but that's not really true. Again,
I'm sure he feels that way and I can understand."
Walsh has said he's opposed to buyouts and agreed that it's difficult to trade Marbury because of his
salary of approximately $21 million.
"He (D'Antoni) knew I was in my contract year and did everything they asked me to do. He's not trying to
help me. He's trying to hurt me," Marbury said.
Marbury also criticized Walsh for only asking D'Antoni about their conversation in Detroit.
"He suspended me without hearing both sides," Marbury said. "That wasn't fair. He took it upon himself to
fine me without even speaking to me."
players' association attorney representing him.
Marbury arrived at the team's practice facility at 2:25 p.m. and met with Walsh for about 20 minutes. His
representative, Hal Biagas, walked out of the building shortly after 3 p.m. and into the car where Marbury
was waiting.
"(We'll) try to keep this in house and so no comment at this time," Biagas said. "We'll keep you posted if
things happen."
Walsh suspended Marbury for one game without pay and docked him an additional game's salary last
week after the Knicks said the point guard refused coach Mike D'Antoni's request to play in a loss to
Detroit last Wednesday.
Biagas wouldn't say if Marbury, who was penalized nearly $400,000, was reinstated or if there had been
any progress toward a buyout.
"We had a conversation," he said.
Marbury wants out of New York and lashed out at teammates and coach Mike D'Antoni in Monday's New
York Post.
"I sat there for three weeks and didn't say one word," Marbury told The Post. "I didn't hear one of my
teammates say, `Why isn't Stephon Marbury playing? This is a good system for him, even to play with the
second unit and bring more firepower.'
"When things got bad and then worse, guys like Quentin Richardson say, `I don't consider him a
teammate. He let his teammates out to dry.' He didn't care I was his teammate when I was banished. They
left me out for dead. It's like we're in a foxhole and I'm facing the other way. If I got shot in the head, at least
you want to get shot by the enemy. I got shot in the head by my own guys in my foxhole. And they didn't
even give me an honorable death."
Knicks players have grown tired of the repeated controversies caused by Marbury, especially because
they'd like more focus on their improved play this season. New York (8-8) ended November at .500 or
better for the first time since going 7-6 in 2004.
"I don't know what to say to that, more than I'm sorry he feels that way and I don't get the impression that
we've done that," forward David Lee said. "But moving forward, as I said, this has just got to get taken
care of whenever it gets taken care of and we've just got to focus on winning. And buying into comments
like that or responding to them does nothing more than take the focus off our team and winning."
Richardson criticized Marbury after the game in Detroit, when the Knicks were forced to play short-handed
after injuries and trades. He seemed amused when asked about Marbury's comments after practice.
"He's entitled to his opinion just like I am. And obviously I said what I said and he feels differently about
that, and he's entitled to that," Richardson said. "The main thing we want to do is we want to play
basketball and win games. These aren't the things we want to come off the court and talk about."
Marbury isn't part of D'Antoni's plans and has been on the inactive list most of the season. However,
D'Antoni twice asked Marbury if he would play when the Knicks were undermanned.
"Mike had no intentions of me playing basketball here," Marbury said. "He gave me straight disrespect. It
was beyond disrespect. He put in (Danilo) Gallinari, whose back is messed up and (who) didn't
participate at all in training camp ahead of me (in the season opener). ... That's saying, `I'm letting you
have it right now.' He was sticking it to me."
Marbury also blasted D'Antoni in another interview with the Post last week, saying he didn't trust the
coach. Asked about Marbury's comments about playing time, D'Antoni said: "I hate that. Obviously he's in
a tough position and I don't think anybody's thrilled with where anybody is, but that's not really true. Again,
I'm sure he feels that way and I can understand."
Walsh has said he's opposed to buyouts and agreed that it's difficult to trade Marbury because of his
salary of approximately $21 million.
"He (D'Antoni) knew I was in my contract year and did everything they asked me to do. He's not trying to
help me. He's trying to hurt me," Marbury said.
Marbury also criticized Walsh for only asking D'Antoni about their conversation in Detroit.
"He suspended me without hearing both sides," Marbury said. "That wasn't fair. He took it upon himself to
fine me without even speaking to me."
Tour officials ho-hum about Armstrong's return
PARIS – Tour de France officials responded with a Gallic shrug Tuesday after Lance
Armstrong announced he will ride in cycling's premier event next year.
The seven-time Tour champion, who is currently training with his Astana team in Tenerife,
Spain, confirmed Monday his ambitious plan to return to the Tour just weeks after riding in
his first Giro d'Italia in May.
Tour officials said nothing had changed since Armstrong's surprise announcement in
Armstrong announced he will ride in cycling's premier event next year.
The seven-time Tour champion, who is currently training with his Astana team in Tenerife,
Spain, confirmed Monday his ambitious plan to return to the Tour just weeks after riding in
his first Giro d'Italia in May.
Tour officials said nothing had changed since Armstrong's surprise announcement in
September that he planned to ride in the Tour again — even though he had since publicly expressed
doubts about that idea.
"We're in the same situation," Tour spokesman Christophe Marchadier said.
Tour chief Christian Prudhomme wouldn't comment "because he'll repeat the same thing, and he doesn't
want to repeat himself," Marchadier added.
In September, Prudhomme said: "One cannot say that his comeback is good or bad news. But it really is
news ... It's making noise everywhere" — and that nearly everybody seemed to have an opinion about it.
Despite his record-breaking success on the Tour, Armstrong is a controversial figure in France, with many
suspicious as to how the cancer survivor could achieve such success without doping. Armstrong has
repeatedly denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
Marchadier said Tour officials haven't had contact with Armstrong in a long time.
"Nobody even met with him when he came to Paris last week," said Marchadier. "He's coming back, and
if he abides by the rules, like all the other riders of the Tour, he'll be at the start."
French team leaders were even more standoffish.
Eric Boyer, head of the International Association of Professional Cyclist Groups and sporting director for
the French team Cofidis, said simply: "I don't want to react. It doesn't interest me."
Speaking after wind tunnel testing last month in San Diego, Armstrong suggested his safety might be at
risk if he enters the Tour again because fans can get so close to the riders.
"If they hate you and you're on the roads and they want you, they can get you," he said.
But in an interview published Tuesday in Le Parisien daily, Armstrong played down reports of his concern
about safety, saying they were "like many stories that start small and end up very big."
"We've had threats in the past. The French government and the (Tour) organization have ensured
protection," Armstrong said, according to a French translation of his remarks. "So am I worried about
that? No."
Francaise des Jeux manager Marc Madiot mocked any concerns that Armstrong might have about safety,
and took a not-so-subtle dig at his home state of Texas.
"You can tell him simply that France isn't Texas. We're not in the Far West in France," Madiot said. "We
are honest and respectful people. That's all."
Giro director Angelo Zomegnan told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he believes
Armstrong can race both the Giro and the Tour and that his participation in the French race would be good
for the Italian one, which is trying to become more international.
"To have such a highly anticipated figure, who then goes on to the Tour, will push the Giro into
globalization," said Zomegnan.
"Judging from the great care with which he's preparing his comeback on the big stage, I think his return
will not be a pathetic remake but a performance that will push the limits of mankind," he said. "From the
physical point of view, he comes off three years of low to medium physical activity, so he's less tired than
his younger colleagues."
Brian Nygaard, spokesman for the Danish team led by former Tour winner Bjarne Riis, said he "cannot
see anything negative" in Armstrong's return to the Tour and that it would give the race "exciting
perspective."
Many riders have said they want to see how Armstrong fares back on the road before commenting on
whether he could present a real racing threat at the age of 37.
A spokesman for Australian cyclist Cadel Evans said the 2008 Tour runner-up was still waiting to see how
Armstrong will do.
"It's still a long way off," said the spokesman, David Lyall. "Cadel has maintained the whole time since
Lance announced his comeback that it's still a long way off. We'll see if he (Armstrong) gets to the Tour
Down Under, then we'll see how he goes there and then we can talk about it."
doubts about that idea.
"We're in the same situation," Tour spokesman Christophe Marchadier said.
Tour chief Christian Prudhomme wouldn't comment "because he'll repeat the same thing, and he doesn't
want to repeat himself," Marchadier added.
In September, Prudhomme said: "One cannot say that his comeback is good or bad news. But it really is
news ... It's making noise everywhere" — and that nearly everybody seemed to have an opinion about it.
Despite his record-breaking success on the Tour, Armstrong is a controversial figure in France, with many
suspicious as to how the cancer survivor could achieve such success without doping. Armstrong has
repeatedly denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
Marchadier said Tour officials haven't had contact with Armstrong in a long time.
"Nobody even met with him when he came to Paris last week," said Marchadier. "He's coming back, and
if he abides by the rules, like all the other riders of the Tour, he'll be at the start."
French team leaders were even more standoffish.
Eric Boyer, head of the International Association of Professional Cyclist Groups and sporting director for
the French team Cofidis, said simply: "I don't want to react. It doesn't interest me."
Speaking after wind tunnel testing last month in San Diego, Armstrong suggested his safety might be at
risk if he enters the Tour again because fans can get so close to the riders.
"If they hate you and you're on the roads and they want you, they can get you," he said.
But in an interview published Tuesday in Le Parisien daily, Armstrong played down reports of his concern
about safety, saying they were "like many stories that start small and end up very big."
"We've had threats in the past. The French government and the (Tour) organization have ensured
protection," Armstrong said, according to a French translation of his remarks. "So am I worried about
that? No."
Francaise des Jeux manager Marc Madiot mocked any concerns that Armstrong might have about safety,
and took a not-so-subtle dig at his home state of Texas.
"You can tell him simply that France isn't Texas. We're not in the Far West in France," Madiot said. "We
are honest and respectful people. That's all."
Giro director Angelo Zomegnan told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he believes
Armstrong can race both the Giro and the Tour and that his participation in the French race would be good
for the Italian one, which is trying to become more international.
"To have such a highly anticipated figure, who then goes on to the Tour, will push the Giro into
globalization," said Zomegnan.
"Judging from the great care with which he's preparing his comeback on the big stage, I think his return
will not be a pathetic remake but a performance that will push the limits of mankind," he said. "From the
physical point of view, he comes off three years of low to medium physical activity, so he's less tired than
his younger colleagues."
Brian Nygaard, spokesman for the Danish team led by former Tour winner Bjarne Riis, said he "cannot
see anything negative" in Armstrong's return to the Tour and that it would give the race "exciting
perspective."
Many riders have said they want to see how Armstrong fares back on the road before commenting on
whether he could present a real racing threat at the age of 37.
A spokesman for Australian cyclist Cadel Evans said the 2008 Tour runner-up was still waiting to see how
Armstrong will do.
"It's still a long way off," said the spokesman, David Lyall. "Cadel has maintained the whole time since
Lance announced his comeback that it's still a long way off. We'll see if he (Armstrong) gets to the Tour
Down Under, then we'll see how he goes there and then we can talk about it."
Pierce's 17 points in 3rd helps Boston pull away
BOSTON – Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 24 points in the third quarter to lead the Boston
Celtics to their ninth straight win, 107-88 over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.
Ray Allen added 21 points, Rajon Rondo had 16 points with 12 assists and Kevin Garnett
scored 15 points for the Celtics (17-2) in a win over a top Eastern Conference rival.
Rashard Lewis paced Orlando (13-5) with 30 points, Hedo Turkoglu 19 and Dwight
Howard, the league's rebounding leader, had 14 points with 15 boards. The Magic had
their four-game winning streak snapped. Orlando had won six straight road games, one
Celtics to their ninth straight win, 107-88 over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.
Ray Allen added 21 points, Rajon Rondo had 16 points with 12 assists and Kevin Garnett
scored 15 points for the Celtics (17-2) in a win over a top Eastern Conference rival.
Rashard Lewis paced Orlando (13-5) with 30 points, Hedo Turkoglu 19 and Dwight
Howard, the league's rebounding leader, had 14 points with 15 boards. The Magic had
their four-game winning streak snapped. Orlando had won six straight road games, one
short of its club record set at the start of last season. Pierce, who scored just five points in the opening
half, carried the Celtics from a 2-point halftime edge to a 12-point lead entering the final quarter.
Similar to the opening minutes of the game, when Boston broke ahead by 10 points, the Celtics controlled
the tempo and appeared to run whatever they wanted on offense.
Pierce, isolating against Turkoglu on a number of trips, scored 15 of Boston's 20 points as the Celtics
pulled ahead 68-57.
When Pierce was contained driving the lane, he fired a pass to Ray Allen, who nailed a 3-pointer from the
top, making it 71-57.
Boston, which held Orlando to 39 percent shooting in the first three quarters, led 77-65 at the break.
Eddie House's 3-pointer made it 92-75 with 6:50 to play, and Boston cruised the rest of the way, mixing
starters with reserves.
In the opening half, the Celtics shot 60 percent and led 28-18 after one. They opened it to 37-22 on Glen
Davis' jumper before the Magic scored 10 straight points to get back into it.
The Magic were without their starting backcourt for the second consecutive game. Jameer Nelson was
sidelined for his fourth straight with a hip flexor and Mickael Pietrus is on injured reserve with a torn right
thumb ligament.
half, carried the Celtics from a 2-point halftime edge to a 12-point lead entering the final quarter.
Similar to the opening minutes of the game, when Boston broke ahead by 10 points, the Celtics controlled
the tempo and appeared to run whatever they wanted on offense.
Pierce, isolating against Turkoglu on a number of trips, scored 15 of Boston's 20 points as the Celtics
pulled ahead 68-57.
When Pierce was contained driving the lane, he fired a pass to Ray Allen, who nailed a 3-pointer from the
top, making it 71-57.
Boston, which held Orlando to 39 percent shooting in the first three quarters, led 77-65 at the break.
Eddie House's 3-pointer made it 92-75 with 6:50 to play, and Boston cruised the rest of the way, mixing
starters with reserves.
In the opening half, the Celtics shot 60 percent and led 28-18 after one. They opened it to 37-22 on Glen
Davis' jumper before the Magic scored 10 straight points to get back into it.
The Magic were without their starting backcourt for the second consecutive game. Jameer Nelson was
sidelined for his fourth straight with a hip flexor and Mickael Pietrus is on injured reserve with a torn right
thumb ligament.