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Trail Blazers waive Kemp after restructuring contract

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Shawn Kemp, the former all-star who averaged 6.3 points in two seasons with Portland, was waived by the Trail Blazers on Tuesday after the team restructured his contract.

Kemp's contract would have paid him $46.5-million through the 2003-04 season. Terms of the restructured deal were not disclosed.

General manager Bob Whitsitt said the contract was reduced by "a significant amount," but would not confirm reports that Kemp agreed to give up more than $25-million.

"This is a situation where we felt in today's climate that the contract wasn't in the range of fair as it should be," Whitsitt said. "And I think Shawn understood that."

According to a report in The Oregonian, the Blazers agreed to pay Kemp about $20-million over more than 10 years.

"I would like to thank the Blazers, (team owner) Paul Allen and the fans of Portland for their support," Kemp said in a statement released by the team. "I expect to continue my NBA career at the highest level and am looking forward to the challenge ahead."

The move has important financial implications, with the Blazers likely to save at least $40-million in luxury taxes.

CLIPPERS: Former coach Bill Fitch and the team settled competing lawsuits arising from his 1998 firing and the remaining two seasons on his contract.

HAWKS: Terry Stotts and Steve Henson were hired as assistants.

NUGGETS: Forward Nene Hilario will not play for Brazil in the World Championships because of an injured groin. The team said Hilario, 19, will be out about a month.

WIZARDS: Center Jahidi White will have surgery within a week to repair his left quad tendon and could miss the first month of the regular season.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Jay Williams' hip had healed enough to allow him to practice, but he did not take part in scrimmages. Williams was injured Saturday in a collision with Andre Miller.

Swoopes wins MVP

NEW YORK -- Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes was voted the WNBA's most valuable player, winning the award for the second time in three seasons. Swoopes led the Comets to the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.

NEW YORK 75, INDIANA 60: Vickie Johnson scored 19 to lead the Liberty into the East final. Down 33-29 at halftime, the Liberty opened the second half with a 14-3 run behind five points by Johnson. The Liberty went on a 7-0 run to make it 63-49.

New York travels to Washington on Thursday for Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

OFFICIAL COLLAPSES: Referee Bill Stokes collapsed during the game between Houston and Utah. Shortly after the start of the second half, he walked to the scorer's table then fell. He was quickly attended to by trainers from both teams.

Houston officials said Stokes was admitted to a hospital in critical but stable condition. The cause had not been determined.

The game resumed after a 25-minute delay.

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