New Jersey Hopes Bernard King Still Has a Few Points Left in Him
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets, desperate for help off the bench, gambled Saturday that Bernard King could provide it by signing the high-scoring, injury-plagued forward for the rest of the season.
King, 36, comes to the Nets with a 23.1 scoring average in 13 seasons and with one big question to answer: Can he still contribute after sitting out nearly two years after surgery on his right knee?
“I have some concerns, but I don’t know if we have great chemistry anyway,” Net Coach Chuck Daly said. “I look at it as a chance to improve our club.”
King’s signing comes a little more than two weeks after the four-time All-Star was released by the Washington Bullets after a dispute with Coach Wes Unseld.
The Nets will pay King the $140,000 NBA minimum, prorated to $70,000 for the rest of the season. Washington will have to pay the remainder of King’s $2.5-million salary for this season and a $500,000 buyout of his 1993-94 option.
The 6-foot-7 King averaged 28.4 points for the Bullets during the 1990-91 season. He has 19,432 points.
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