Pippen Sidelined 10 To 14 Days

Scottie Pippen, one of the two players the Chicago Bulls figure to need if they are to win the NBA title, will miss up to two weeks with an assortment of injuries.

Bulls general manager Jerry Krause said Wednesday that tendinitis in Pippen’s right knee will sideline the All-Star forward for 10 to 14 days. Pippen also has been nursing back and ankle injuries.

Jackson said having his best players healthy is more important than getting 70 wins.

Abdul-Rauf holds firm

The NBA found itself at the center of a controversy encompassing basketball, religion and freedom of speech as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf held firm in his refusal to stand for the national anthem.

The NBA has suspended the Denver Nuggets guard indefinitely without pay - a move that is costing Abdul-Rauf $31,707 per game.

Abdul-Rauf says his religious principles were more important than his job. He feels “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a symbol of tyranny and oppression, and contends the Koran forbids nationalistic ritualism.

Islamic experts and the league’s most prominent Muslim player disagreed, saying the Koran does not address the issue specifically.

Abdul-Rauf said he meant no disrespect to the flag.

The players’ union will support any efforts Abdul-Rauf might want to make to challenge the NBA’s disciplinary action, including filing a grievance, if the issue cannot be resolved, said Ron Klempner, the union’s assistant general counsel.

Hakeem Olajuwon, the star center from the Rockets and a Muslim, said the Koran teaches respect for the customs and traditions in whichever country one lives.

Michael Jordan said the league and the union share some of the blame for the controversy surrounding Abdul-Rauf and the national anthem.

“It could have been kept behind closed doors,” he said Wednesday following the Bulls’ 103-86 win over Washington. “Now it’s such a public issue. He’s going to be viewed negatively and I don’t think it’s good for the league. How to deal with it now is going to be very controversial no matter what way they decide to go. It’s just sad that it got to this point.”