Sonics guard Allen wins citizenship award

Seattle — Whether he’s discussing a disputed call with a referee, working with teammates or reading books to elementary school students, Ray Allen lets one principle guide his behavior.

Just be yourself.

“Some people don’t like you. Some people love you. Some people will hate you,” the Seattle shooting guard said Tuesday. “Just be true to yourself, be true to the game and be true to your family.”

Allen, a three-time All-Star, received the Joe Dumars Trophy as the winner of the NBA’s sportsmanship award.

He was asked during a news conference what it meant to be a good sport. Allen recalled being elbowed in the chest — and frustrated — by Alonzo Mourning during his early years in the league.

“At first, I didn’t understand,” Allen said. “In the NBA, you have to play your hardest, but off the court you’re still good friends. You can never lose respect for your teammates or the referees.”

The other finalists were New York guard Allan Houston, New Orleans forward P.J. Brown and Dallas guard Michael Finley. Each of the league’s 29 teams nominated one of its players.

Sloan agrees to return to coach through 2006

Salt Lake City — Jerry Sloan, whose 15 seasons with Utah is the longest tenure among any head coach or manager in the four major professional sports, said Tuesday he had agreed to a contract extension that would keep him with the Jazz through 2006.

Sloan, who still had a year remaining on his contract, was considering retirement after the Jazz were knocked out of the playoffs in the opening round for the third straight year.

Sonics’ Forte accused of punching man

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Seattle SuperSonics guard Joseph Forte was accused of punching a man in the face during a pickup basketball game on the North Carolina campus.

A misdemeanor assault warrant was issued, but the former Tar Heels’ star has not been served with it.

Maj. Jeff McCracken of the North Carolina campus police said Tuesday they learned through Forte’s lawyer, Bill Blue, that Forte intended to return to campus this week to receive the warrant. He is scheduled to appear in court June 23.

April 24, Forte was arrested in Maryland on drug and gun charges, and is due in court in July.

Nowitzki, Bell fined

New York — Dirk Nowitzki and Raja Bell of the Dallas Mavericks were fined Tuesday by the NBA for their conduct in Sunday night’s playoff game at Sacramento. Nowitzki was fined $5,000 for kicking a pile of towels with 2:30 left in the Kings’ 99-83 victory. Nowitzki, angry after being issued a technical foul, was ejected. Bell was fined $7,500 for verbally abusing an official after he was ejected with 1:14 left.