NEW YORK, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- NBA Commissioner David Stern has responded to the verbal blasts unleashed by Portland Trail Blazers forward Rasheed Walace, but issued no suspension or fine.
Wallace accused the NBA of exploiting black players, criticized the league for drafting players out of high school, and questioned Stern's $8 million annual salary in a wide-ranging interview this week with The Oregonian.
"Mr. Wallace's hateful diatribe was ignorant and offensive to all NBA players," Stern said in a statement. "I refuse to enhance his heightened sense of deprivation by publicly debating with him."
Portland management promised fans appropriate player conduct after several players encountered off-court legal problems last season, embarrassing the organization.
Wallace's comments are the latest source of embarrassment.
"Rasheed's comments in The Oregonian do not reflect the beliefs of our organization," said team spokesman Mike Hanson.
The volatile and outspoken Wallace is in his eighth NBA season. In the past, he has been charged with marijuana possession and with threatening a referee outside the Rose Garden after a game.
