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Around the NBA

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 3, 2001

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Good news came in pairs Monday for Charlotte. First they learned they had clinched a playoff spot, then they found out forward Derrick Coleman is ready to return to the lineup.

The Hornets reported to practice thinking they still needed one more victory to ensure a post-season berth. Not until coach Paul Silas did the math did they realize they already were in.

"That was a relief," Silas said. "The whole goal this year has been to get into the playoffs and we did it. We're in, that's all I care about."

Then they hit the court, where the 6-foot-10 Coleman participated in a short scrimmage and showed no lingering effects from the strained left calf that had sidelined him for 20 games.

He was activated from the injured list after practice, and Silas said he would use him tonight against the Nets.

"We should be able to get him into game shape by the playoffs with practice and nine games," Silas said. "That should allow us to slowly up his minutes."

NETS: Guard Sherman Douglas had surgery to repair a ligament in his right thumb.

Douglas, who broke the thumb in a game against Vancouver on March 20, will have to wear a cast for five weeks.

PISTONS: Rookie Mateen Cleaves missed a second court appearance concerning a ticket for driving with a suspended license.

His license had been suspended for failing to pay an Aug. 2 speeding ticket.

"That ticket is now paid," court clerk Andrea Jones said. "But he still needed to appear for this second ticket."

Cleaves had been scheduled to appear Monday, and now a judge will issue a warrant, she said.

Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said Cleaves was trying to reschedule the hearing.

SONICS: The Ackerley Group completed the $200-million sale of the SuperSonics to a group led by Starbucks Corp. Chairman Howard Schultz, the media company said.

The transaction, which includes the sale of the Seattle Storm of the WNBA, was announced on Jan. 11 and approved by the NBA's Board of Governors on Friday.

JORDAN JOINS UPPER DECK: Michael Jordan will be lending more than his name and autograph to the sports trading card and memorabilia industry.

The Upper Deck Co. said the NBA great is joining the company as a member of its board of directors. Upper Deck also gave Jordan an undisclosed stake in the company.

Wizards president will be paid to serve as the ninth member of the board. The company did not disclose the salary.

PLAYOFF BONUSES: Winning the NBA title will bring a bonus payment of about $100,000 to each member of the championship team.

The NBA said that the playoff pool for the 2000-01 season will be $7.5-million -- the same amount as last season. The players on the team that wins the title will get to divide $1,290,000 however they choose.

The losing team in the finals will get to divide $855,000.

PLAYER HONORS: Celtics forward Paul Pierce was named the Player of the Month for March, while Suns guard Jason Kidd garnered Player of the Week honors.

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