NBA Notes

Bulls' Fizer arrested

Forward faces weapons charge

Associated Press

Monday, October 14, 2002

Chicago Bulls forward Marcus Fizer was charged with having a loaded gun in his car and driving with a suspended license early Sunday morning.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Wayne Winterberg said Fizer was pulled over for having illegal tinted windows on his sport-utility vehicle.

Police then found Fizer was driving with a suspended license. While preparing to tow his car, police searched it and found a .40- caliber gun, Winterberg said.

Fizer appeared before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Mary Brosnahan, who set bond at $5,000, said Marcy Jensen, a spokesman for the Cook County state attorney. Jensen said that Fizer, released after posting bond, is due back in court Oct. 21.

"He is charged with having (the gun) in his car and readily accessible," Jensen said. "He said he needed a gun for protection, according to prosecutors."

The 24-year-old Fizer was drafted out of Iowa State fourth overall by the Bulls in 2000.

The Bulls did not immediately return telephone calls to The Associated Press.

Oakley makes presence felt: It took all of one practice for forward Charles Oakley to properly introduce himself to the rest of his new Washington Wizards teammates.

During a three-hour practice Saturday, Oakley was responsible for two knockdown fouls, bringing a toughness of mind and body not seen in Washington for quite some time.

"We hadn't had (that) in a year," said Washington coach Doug Collins. "He makes his presence felt."

But Oakley, who signed a one-year deal with the club before practice, is as interested in playing instructor as enforcer at this stage of his career.

"I don't like nonsense around me," said Oakley, 38, who is about to enter his 18th season. "If I see things going on with the players, I'm going to let them know. If management is slipping a little, I'll let them know. I'm here to try to make sure that things are right. I'm not here to try to step on no one. I'm here to try to make things right. We'll play blackjack and hope we get 21. "

Said Collins, who coached Oakley in Collins' first season with the Chicago Bulls in 1986-'87: "The thing I love about it was a couple of times, he stopped and went over to Kwame (Brown) and taught him a little bit and did the same with Jared (Jeffries). When you've got Patrick (Ewing), Michael (Jordan) and Oak, you've got three guys that have that kind of experience. When they talk to their teammates, that kind of experience is invaluable."

Oakley, who signed for the veterans minimum, which is slated for about $1 million this season, becomes the latest addition to what is becoming a star-studded, albeit older, club.

The Wizards added veterans Jerry Stackhouse and Bryon Russell via either trade or free agency last month, as well as signing Ewing.

But Oakley, who spent last season as an unhappy camper in a second tour of duty with the Bulls, stressed that he's not just interested in being a teacher.

"There's a lot of talent here, but I told them I want to play and I didn't just come to sit on the bench," said Oakley.

The Baltimore Sun contributed to this report

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