Jordan: Media Speculation Went Too Far

Michael Jordan chided some news media Thursday for early speculation that the death of his father might have been linked to family misdeeds.

Jordan said he always believed that James Jordan’s death was a random act of violence and rebuked the media for speculating that the slaying might be connected with the Chicago Bull star’s gambling activities or questionable business deals.

“I was outraged when this speculation continued even after the arrests of the alleged murderers,” Jordan said in a statement issued by his Washington attorney, David Falk. “These totally unsubstantiated reports reflect a complete lack of sensitivity to basic human decency.”

Authorities have charged two 18-year-olds, Larry Martin Demery and Daniel Andre Green, in James Jordan’s death, saying the elder Jordan was shot in a robbery attempt on a North Carolina highway July 23.

Also Thursday, Demery’s attorney, Hugh Rogers, told the Charlotte Observer he received new information suggesting someone else killed Jordan. He said Demery and Green “wandered upon a car with a body in it,” but he would not elaborate.

*

The Denver Nuggets sent guard Todd Lichti, center-forward Anthony Cook and a second-round draft pick in 1994 to the Orlando Magic for forward Brian Williams.

Williams, a former Arizona star, was Orlando’s No. 1 draft pick in 1991.

Little League Baseball

Timmy Lewis and Jeremy Hess hit solo home runs and pitcher Alex Defazio scattered seven hits to lead defending world champion Long Beach over San Ramon Valley of Danville, 5-2, in the championship game of the Little League Western Regional.

Long Beach is the first team to win consecutive Western Regional titles and advances to the Little League World Series, which begins Monday at Williamsport, Pa.

Hockey

The former chairman of the Ottawa Senators denied having spoken with his players about throwing a game to ensure that the team received the first pick in the NHL draft.

The Ottawa Citizen reported that Bruce Firestone told reporters in an off-the-record meeting in June that four players had been guaranteed special treatment next season for helping the Senators lose their final game.

The loss left the team in last place overall, giving it the first draft pick. The Senators used the pick to select junior sensation Alexandre Daigle.

Firestone, who sold his shares of the team this week, said he had never made such remarks. The Citizen stood by its story.

*

The Kings re-signed goalie Rick Knickle, the team announced. Knickle, 33, played in 10 games for the Kings last season.

Boxing

Rafael Ruelas knocked down Conny Lopez three times in the first round of their scheduled 10-round junior-welterweight bout at Irvine. Referee Burton Gilliam stopped the fight at 1:45. Ruelas is 31-1; Lopez is 18-6.

Miscellany

The start of the Israeli soccer season may be delayed while police probe match-fixing allegations involving players, managers and fans, government officials said. Police said three players, eight current or former team officials and three team supporters were detained for questioning in the scandal surrounding the professional Haartzi League. . . . The top-ranked women’s pro beach volleyball duo of Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan leads a 32-team field in this weekend’s World Championships at Manhattan Beach. The event begins Saturday at 9 a.m.

Names in the News

Tom Roy, a producer at NBC sports since 1986, was named executive producer of sports. He replaces Terry O’Neil, who resigned to focus on the formation of a group pursuing ownership of a professional sports franchise. . . . Graeme Obree of Scotland beat his own world record in winning the four-kilometer individual pursuit title at the World Cycling Championships at Oslo, Norway. . . . Elizabeth Bourland unseated two-time national champion Ann-Marie Pfiffner on the last shot of the women’s air rifle event to lead the U.S. International Rifle and Pistol competition at Chino. . . . Brian Davis, competing in his first Professional Bowlers’ Assn. event, rolled a 299 to win Pennsylvania’s Harrisburgh Open.