Truth be told, Lakers' Radmanovic admits to lying about injury

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 24, 2007 | by Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic admitted Friday that he lied to the team about how he injured his shoulder during last week's All-Star break, and that it was a snowboarding accident that caused the injury.

"I lied about what happened, but I just couldn't keep it to myself," Radmanovic told reporters at his locker before Friday night's game against Boston. "I did a silly thing by snowboarding -- and then I panicked about what was going to happen."

"I felt really bad about it. I let my teammates down and the whole organization down by not letting them know what really happened. ... So yesterday I decided to step forward and bring out the truth, no matter what the consequences, and I'm glad I did it. I don't want to be a liar. It's not something that I am. It's embarrassing. I hope people will have some understanding and some forgiveness for it."

Radmanovic apologized to coach Phil Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak on Thursday for covering up what happened last Saturday in Park City. Initially, he told the Lakers he fell on a patch of ice while walking and separated his right shoulder. He is expected to be out two months.

"Unfortunately, before I stepped on that board, I wasn't really thinking about the things that could happen and that it could become something that could finish my career," said the 26-year-old forward, who was snowboarding for the first time and fell while coming down a slope. "I mean, things happen, but you don't think they're going to happen to you."

MEMORIAL, FUNERAL SET: A public memorial service for Dennis Johnson will be held Sunday in Austin before the former NBA star is buried March 2 in Los Angeles.

Johnson, part of three NBA championship teams with Seattle and Boston, died Thursday after collapsing following a practice with the Austin Toros, the NBA development league team Johnson coached. He was 52.

The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office said autopsy and toxicology reports won't be released for several weeks.

In a statement posted on the Toros' Web site, a public memorial will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the David Chapel Baptist Church. The Toros said they will later release further details about Johnson's private service and burial in Los Angeles.

ALSO: Chicago forward Andres Nocioni missed his eighth game in the last nine Friday night when the Bulls faced the Washington Wizards.