Aaronhere
12-19-2007, 04:40 PM
Interesting section of the Albany newspaper article on Michael Ray Richardson being fired in Oklahoma...
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=648425&category=SPORTS&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=12/19/2007
Richardson said he was fired because he was sticking up for his players, saying they had not been paid. He said after talking with Dennis Truax, the CBA's Vice President of Basketball Operations, about the problem, he was let go by Hopgood.
"It's a joke," Richardson said. "I went home and laughed. He got rid of me because I called the league and explained to them there were insignificant funds so he (Hopgood) fired me. If I don't have the right to call the league, who does? Listen, my interest is in my players. They're not making a lot of money, anyways. You know I always tell the truth."
The Cavalry played a game in Pittsburgh Monday night under new coach Cliff Levingston and got beat by 20 points, losing all seven standings points. There were only six players in uniform for Oklahoma, two of them playing for the first time.
The rest of the team, including former Patroon Marvin Phillips, remained in Oklahoma City.
"We weren't getting paid," said Phillips, who wants to be released from the team. "We were ready to go out on a 10-day road trip and we didn't get any per diem. They gave us gift cards for $75 for per diem. For a 10-day road trip. That's the reason I didn't go on the trip. I'm stuck down here."
Coyne said the normal per diem for CBA teams is between $20 and $25 per player. He said he was unaware of any problems going on in Oklahoma City.
When asked if he knew of any internal issues between Richardson and Hopgood, Phillips said he could think of only one.
"I witnessed him (Richardson) yelling at him (Hopgood) for not having any meal money for us," Phillips said. "He was really arguing with him about that. Mike was fighting for us. Baron hasn't given us any straight answers."
Truax said he has not heard of any financial duress in the Oklahoma City franchise. He said he has spoken to Hopgood and has gotten no signs of any financial problems. He said all checks sent through the league have been confirmed.
"They are not in trouble," Truax said. "I don't understand why Micheal Ray is saying that."
First, we hear rumblings from Atlanta and Great Falls, now this. Let's hope the crowds start showing up after the holidays.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=648425&category=SPORTS&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=12/19/2007
Richardson said he was fired because he was sticking up for his players, saying they had not been paid. He said after talking with Dennis Truax, the CBA's Vice President of Basketball Operations, about the problem, he was let go by Hopgood.
"It's a joke," Richardson said. "I went home and laughed. He got rid of me because I called the league and explained to them there were insignificant funds so he (Hopgood) fired me. If I don't have the right to call the league, who does? Listen, my interest is in my players. They're not making a lot of money, anyways. You know I always tell the truth."
The Cavalry played a game in Pittsburgh Monday night under new coach Cliff Levingston and got beat by 20 points, losing all seven standings points. There were only six players in uniform for Oklahoma, two of them playing for the first time.
The rest of the team, including former Patroon Marvin Phillips, remained in Oklahoma City.
"We weren't getting paid," said Phillips, who wants to be released from the team. "We were ready to go out on a 10-day road trip and we didn't get any per diem. They gave us gift cards for $75 for per diem. For a 10-day road trip. That's the reason I didn't go on the trip. I'm stuck down here."
Coyne said the normal per diem for CBA teams is between $20 and $25 per player. He said he was unaware of any problems going on in Oklahoma City.
When asked if he knew of any internal issues between Richardson and Hopgood, Phillips said he could think of only one.
"I witnessed him (Richardson) yelling at him (Hopgood) for not having any meal money for us," Phillips said. "He was really arguing with him about that. Mike was fighting for us. Baron hasn't given us any straight answers."
Truax said he has not heard of any financial duress in the Oklahoma City franchise. He said he has spoken to Hopgood and has gotten no signs of any financial problems. He said all checks sent through the league have been confirmed.
"They are not in trouble," Truax said. "I don't understand why Micheal Ray is saying that."
First, we hear rumblings from Atlanta and Great Falls, now this. Let's hope the crowds start showing up after the holidays.