76er Owner Says Barkley Has Wrong Idea

Owner Harold Katz of the Philadelphia 76ers has challenged Charles Barkley’s suggestion of racism in the makeup of the team.

Barkley earlier in the week predicted that Katz would give in to what Barkley said was fan pressure and keep backup center David Hoppen as the team’s only white player on the 12-man roster.

Katz said he had never considered keeping a white player to avoid having an all-black team. Race never entered discussions with Coach Jim Lynam and General Manager Gene Shue, he said.

Later, the 76ers announced that they were keeping Hoppen after cutting guard Rickey Green and putting center Manute Bol and Charles Shackleford on the injured list. Bol has a cut finger, Shackleford a sprained ankle.