Carter Drops Lawsuit Amid Rising Criticism

Facing mounting criticism, Toronto Raptor Coach Butch Carter dropped his $5-million defamation lawsuit against Marcus Camby of the New York Knicks.

“For all parties involved, it’s best to get it off the front pages,� Carter said Tuesday in New York.

Carter had sued Camby on Friday because the former Toronto forward called him a “liar� among other things.

Camby had little reaction, saying, “It didn’t really affect me when it was brought out. So all I’m worried about is Game 2.�

Meanwhile, Carter will start Muggsy Bogues at point guard instead of Doug Christie for tonight’s Game 2 against the Knicks, saying Bogues brings more intensity.

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A lawsuit was filed against Golden State forward Jason Caffey accusing him of hitting and kicking Nakita Shoemaker, 24, in a nightclub on March 5 in Mobile, Ala., even though the Warriors, including Caffey, played at home in Oakland later that day against Indiana. Caffey, 26, a Mobile native, was never charged. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

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Dennis Hopson, who played in New Jersey, Chicago and Sacramento, was charged with domestic violence after allegedly attacking and threatening to shoot his wife, Tracie L. Hopson, 32, in Powell, Ohio.