Kemp Dismisses Drinking Reports

Seattle SuperSonic star Shawn Kemp dismissed a report by NBC Sports commentator Peter Vecsey that a drinking problem is affecting his play.

“Anytime you struggle, people are always going to say something,” the All-Star forward said.

Vecsey, during halftime of NBC’s coverage of the New York Knick-Miami Heat game Saturday, said Kemp divulged to teammates that he had a problem with alcohol at a players-only meeting called by Gary Payton after a game on April 5.

Vecsey, citing sources he did not name, said Kemp was to meet with a union official Sunday to talk about the issue.

“No, that’s not true at all. No NBA officials, no one has contacted me,” Kemp said.

“As soon as you struggle, you have two bad weeks, they’re going to say something,” Kemp said. “If that’s what they want to say, let them say it, but I’m just going to worry about basketball.”