Rider

"We felt J.R.'s conduct has been detrimental to team chemistry, not just to his checkbook. From Day 1, his tardiness has been a problem, and the only step we have left is suspend him for a game," Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said.

Rider will also be fined $65,853.66, or 1-82nd of his $5.4 million salary.

Rider said he notified the team at the start of practice he would not participate because two of his three vehicles were damaged while parked in the Omni Hotel's valet parking, and items were missing from his room.

"My (Mercedes) Benz had the mirror ripped off; it was just hanging," he said. "The chrome rim on my (Lincoln Navigator) was all messed up, and I had glasses worth $600 in my room and they're gone. I had a long morning. I'm tired. I had reports to fill out. So as far as practice is concerned, that's secondary in that situation."

Babcock said Rider called 10 minutes into the team's film session, and he noted that Rider did not need a car to get to Philips Arena, a short walk from the hotel.

Rider came to the Hawks in August from the Portland Trail Blazers, saying he was looking forward to a new start in Atlanta, but began by missing the opening of training camp.

He was excused from the team's opener so he could attend his grandfather's funeral, but then failed to return for practice.

Rider, whose history of NBA offenses dates back to his first pro practice with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1993, when he showed up late, has been adding to his list of offenses ever since. It includes feuds with coaches and convictions for marijuana possession and assault.

Babcock said he does not regret the deal that brought Rider to the Hawks.

"We knew his history extremely well," Babcock said. "This isn't a surprise. We're disappointed."

As for Rider's performance on the court, Babcock said, "Our team has not played well."

Rider is averaging 18 points, including 24 Sunday night in the Hawks 93-88 loss to the Los Angeles. Jim Jackson, who started four of the team's first seven games, probably will start in Rider's place as shooting guard. The Hawks' 1-6 start is the worst since they moved to Atlanta in 1968.