http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=shaw...ov=st&type=lgns ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - Orlando Magic forward Shawn Kemp, who has battled weight problems and drug abuse, was suspended without pay Tuesday for a second violation of the league's drug program. Kemp's suspension begins with Tuesday's contest against the New Jersey Nets and will continue until he has resumed full compliance with his treatment program, the NBA announced. The Magic signed the six-time All-Star on September 5. The underachieving Kemp forfeited $25 million of a $46.5 million contract in a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in the summmer. The 33-year-old Kemp's career took a downward spiral starting in August 2000 when the Blazers acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade. He entered a substance abuse program near the end of his first season in Portland, then received a five-game suspension from the NBA last February for violating terms of his aftercare program. With his weight ballooning to as much as 280 pounds, the 6-10 Kemp averaged just 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 75 games for the Blazers last season. Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 17th overall pick in the 1989 draft, Kemp was 19 when he made his NBA debut. After scoring 6.5 points a game as a rookie, he averaged at least 15 points per contest and made six consecutive All-Star appearances. In 1997, Kemp signed a seven-year, $107 million contract. But the Sonics dealt him to Cleveland, which traded him before the 2000-01 season to Portland, where he averaged just 6.5 points in 68 games. Kemp was hoping to revive his career this season, but is averaging just 7.9 rebounds and 6.4 rebounds per game.
ya, toronto beat orlando...if miller hit that shot! but they probably needed another miller to do that (reggie). it was an exciting game. agree?
