New Report Explains Kemp's Problems

NEW YORK - Pressures of paternity and child-support obligations, not alcohol, were to blame for Shawn Kemp's problems with the Seattle Sonics last year, Sports Illustrated reported this week.

In an article on professional athletes fathering children out of wedlock, the magazine quoted an unidentified team source who said paternity-related issues weighed heavily on Kemp, who missed or was late for practice five times last April. His play also slipped after the All-Star break and the Sonics were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Houston Rockets.

The unmarried Kemp, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has fathered seven children, Gerald Phillips, a lawyer who represented Kemp in a paternity suit filed by Charlotte Osuna, told Sports Illustrated.

At a news conference before the playoffs last year, Kemp denied reports he had a drinking problem, blaming his behavior on unspecified "personal problems."

"It wasn't alcohol," Sports Illustrated quoted the source as saying.

"It was the cost of being a father to a bunch of kids. There's no doubt it was on his mind last year. . . . He found out it was going to be real expensive being a multimillionaire NBA star with kids around the country."

The magazine, which said Kemp would not comment for the story, also quoted Osuna as saying the star forward was upset because he was unable to spend time with some of his children.

Sports Illustrated reported that although there are no studies on athletes and their out-of-wedlock children, those familiar with the issue say the numbers are "staggering."

It quoted one unidentified agent as saying there might be more out-of-wedlock children to NBA players than there are athletes in the league.

The magazine also noted that paternity suits are not unique to the NBA or this generation of athletes. It added that the trend reflects patterns in the rest of society.