Longest Suspension in History, Three Straight 40-Point Games

"The league's punishment for Madman Latrell Sprewell has been announced."

After the All-Star Game, the Lakers finally began the second half of their schedule.

Their first stop was Portland.

As soon as the Lakers arrived at their hotel in Portland, they learned about Sprewell's punishment.

"Sprewell has been suspended for 68 games!!!"

"Sixty-eight games?" The players were dumbfounded.

"The longest suspension in history. Madman is finished this time. Stern's anger is plain to see."

"Isn't that the truth? Choking out a coach was way over the line. Even when Malone nearly beat Isiah Thomas's brains out, even when Laimbeer crippled countless players, Stern never handed down a punishment like this!"

"With the NBA at the height of its popularity, a scandal like this coming to light—it's no surprise Stern came down hard. This practically handed the other three major leagues a perfect excuse to attack the NBA."

"He's done for! He was originally an almost All-Star player who could do it all on both ends, but now he won't play for a year. On top of an incident this vile, no team in its right mind will want him. Madman's future is completely ruined."

"He deserves it! He brought this on himself!"

"I'm a little worried that Stern might change the officiating standards after this. To avoid creating a bad image, will Stern reduce the allowed level of physical contact? That wouldn't be good news for us."

The Lakers chatted away for a long time. What had happened to Madman had a massive impact on every NBA player.

On February 10, 1998, the Lakers faced the Portland Trail Blazers on the road.

Before the All-Star Game, the Lakers had easily defeated the Portland Trail Blazers at home. Now, on the road, the Lakers remained in excellent form and claimed another