Suns facing dilemma over player fight // Chambers, Gilliam in tiff

Although they are downplaying it, the Phoenix Suns have beentalking to the Sacramento Kings about trading power forwards, reserveArmon Gilliam for the Kings' veteran starter Rodney McCray.

Kings coach Jerry Reynolds has turned down the offer.

"Rodney is the last guy we can afford to trade," Reynolds said."We'd better get Michael Jordan if we are going to trade him."

The talks were sparked by bad blood between Gilliam and SunsAll-Star forward Tom Chambers, who got into a fight during practiceTuesday. Gilliam, playing on the second team, apparently wasguarding Chambers too closely. Chambers shoved Gilliam back andscratched Gilliam's left eye in the process. Gilliam shoved back andthey exchanged blows until coach Cotton Fitzsimmons stepped inbetween them.

Fitzsimmons talked to both men and got Chambers to apologize butGilliam refused to accept the apology until the three met with CEOJerry Colangelo later Tuesday.

"We met to make sure things were patched up and they are,"Gilliam said. "We both are mature enough to handle it."

"It's nobody's business anyway, but it was a pretty heavy dutypractice" Chambers said. "Things like that will happen. As far asI'm concerned, it's over."

"A year ago, this team had a free ride," said Fitzsimmons."There was no adversity, there were no major injuries or long losing streaks. Now, we have tolearn how to face all of these things and be a tougher team."

OVERPOWERING: The play of New York Knick center Patrick Ewing isopening eyes around the league.

In his first 18 games, Ewing has scored 32 points seven times ormore and has outscored his opposing starting centers 531 points (29.5average) to 216 points (12.0). Against all opposing centers startersand reserves, he has a 531-339 edge.

"Ewing might be the best player in the game right now," saidLaker center Mychal Thompson. "He and Magic Johnson are shoulder toshoulder."

"The key to Patrick is his passing," said coach Stu Jackson. "Ifhe is a threat at passing, he can not be guarded."

"Passing is the area I've had yhe most improvement since joiningthe league," Ewing said. "I've been passing well all year. It's justmore wide open now."

PERVIS OUT AGAIN: No. 1 draft pick Pervis Ellison remains a bigheartache for the Sacramento Kings.

First, he held out for his five-year, $12 million contract.Then he sat out recovering from surgery on his right heel and ankle.Now, after having played only 64 minutes four games, he is sidelinedwith tendinitis in his big right toe.

"Now it looks like he will be out until mid-March," said aninside source. "He's going to have to learn how to walk and run allover again."

PAXSON BACK: Celtics guard Jim Paxson has rallied from abenching Nov. 21 and has started the last four games, during which hehas averaged 26.6 minutes, 9.8 points and two assists a game.

Kevin Gamble, who opened the season starting, has played lessthan five minutes a game in the last four Paxson has started.

"Paxson is the one working hard in practice and that's why he'sgetting nod," said Celtic coach Jimmy Rodgers.

HURRAH FOR HERB: Herb Rudoy continues to deliver for his NBAclients.

Last week, the Chicago attorney negotiated a seven-year,$17.5-million contract for Denver Nugget center Blair Rasmussen.

It was a quick turn of fortune for Rasmussen since the Nuggetswere trying to get rid of the 7-foot, five-year veteran reserve lastsummer.

But Rasmussen's improved play gained him a starting position and Rudoy's vigorous representationhelped Rasmussen multiply his annual salary from $400,000 to $2.5million.

In the last 16 months, Rudoy has negotiated $70 million worth ofcontracts for such NBA players as Portland's Kevin Duckworth ($2million a year), Indiana's Chuck Person ($2.5 million a year), WayneCooper ($1.2 million a year), Rasmussen and others.

Rudoy says he got a kick out of new owners Peter Bynoe andBertram Lee when they had second thoughts about the deal. Theyclaimed the deal was negotiated by former owner Sidney Schlenkerwithout their knowledge and afterward asked that the contract bere-negotiated down to a five-year, $10 million deal.

"I supposed they just wanted to see if I was born yesterday,"Rudoy said.