Lakers' O'Neal lands 3-game suspension
New York For once, Shaquille O'Neal can be thankful for his poor aim.
The Los Angeles Lakers standout drew a three-game suspension Monday from the NBA for throwing a punch and fighting with Chicago center Brad Miller.
O'Neal actually threw at least two punches, the first of which barely missed the side of Miller's head. Had the roundhouse right from the 340-pound, 7-foot center connected with full force, it's safe to assume that Miller would have been injured and O'Neal would have been facing a much longer suspension.
NBA vice president Stu Jackson, who issued the suspension and a $15,000 fine, would not comment.
O'Neal did not speak to reporters after the Lakers practiced in El Segundo, Calif. He will miss games Monday against Memphis, Wednesday against Miami and Saturday against San Antonio in the first meeting of the season between those teams.
The suspension will cost O'Neal about $800,000 in lost salary. He will be eligible to return Jan. 22 against Denver.
The NBA also suspended Miller for one game for committing the flagrant foul that led to the fight. Bulls forward Charles Oakley was suspended for two games one for accumulating too many flagrant foul points; the other for his simultaneous flagrant foul against O'Neal.
Oakley was fined $10,000, and Miller was fined $7,500.
Leon Smith back in NBA
Atlanta The Atlanta Hawks signed Leon Smith, the troubled first-round draft pick who has yet to play an NBA game after making the jump from high school in 1999.
The 21-year-old Smith signed a 10-day contract Monday. The injury-plagued Hawks have a three-game losing streak and the third-worst record (13-23) in the Eastern Conference.
Smith will make his return to the NBA tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, the team that traded for him in 1999 shortly after he was picked 29th overall by San Antonio.
Smith, who attempted suicide and was arrested twice during his stint with the Mavericks, has been trying to revive his career in the CBA.
76ers sign McKey
Philadelphia Derrick McKey signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, reuniting the 35-year-old forward with coach Larry Brown. McKey, who has spent 14 years in the NBA, was waived by the Indiana Pacers before the season. Center Jabari Smith was placed on the injured list.
Richmond, Lucas fined
New York Los Angeles Lakers guard Mitch Richmond was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture toward fans in Auburn Hills, Mich.
In the Lakers' victory over the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 8, Richmond extended his middle finger to the crowd.
Also Monday, Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas was fined $7,500 by the NBA for verbally abusing officials and refusing to leave the court fast enough after Cleveland's loss in Seattle on Jan. 11.
Officials: Magic for sale
Orlando, Fla. The Orlando Magic are for sale after being stymied in efforts to get a new arena and failing to fully recover from the loss of Shaquille O'Neal in 1996.
The Magic are losing about $10 million annually.
Bob Vander Weide, Orlando president and chief executive officer, said Monday there was little choice but to sell the team.
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