s_knight8

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/06/11/sports1626E
DT0385.DTL

A fan's allegation that Lakers' forward Karl Malone poked him in the face
before Game 3 of the NBA Final was being investigated by police Friday.

Asked whether the confrontation occurred, Auburn Hills police Lt. James
Manning said, "It's on tape on national TV."

"To me, he was really out of line," Malone said Friday. "Just because you
buy a ticket doesn't mean you should be able to get on the court and degrade
somebody."

Malone, a 19-year NBA veteran and the league's second-leading career scorer,
said the fan had obviously been drinking and spit in his face while heckling
him.

Malone jabbed his right index finger toward the man. As to whether he made
contact, Malone said, "Maybe I did, but he was in my playing field."

"He was on the court. Where was the security in the arena?" he said.

The unidentified man complained to the Auburn Hills police.

"At this time, the investigation is going on and we are not releasing any
information about the case," Manning said.

Manning declined to comment further and said police would release more
information Monday.

Manning said police have talked to the fan and that "he is a complainant in
the case."

"Maybe he wanted to beat me to the draw. Who knows?" Malone said. "I'm not
going to let a guy spit on me, I'm not going to take that. I've never had
that happen before."

Malone also said fans have harassed the Lakers at their hotel in nearby
Birmingham.

"They did it all night long until the cops came," Malone said.