NEW YORK — Two weeks after the fact, lawyers for the NBA and the players' union had their own little brawl.
Attorneys for the two sides fought before an arbitrator and in federal court Friday, arguing over what avenues of appeal should be employed for the four players suspended by commissioner David Stern for fighting with fans during a Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons game.
Arbitrator Roger Kaplan ruled that he has jurisdiction to decide whether the brawl-related suspensions given to Ron Artest and other players can be appealed to someone other than Stern, and the NBA responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court challenging the arbitrator's authority.
Kaplan scheduled a hearing for next Thursday, although the matter will next be contested Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Also, the Oakland County prosecutor's office said it believes authorities have identified each of the Indiana Pacers players and fans who violated state law in a brawl last month at The Palace, though it will not release identities until charges are filed.
The NBA's suit named the National Basketball Players Association, Artest, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson and Jermaine O'Neal as defendants and said they improperly tried to require the NBA to litigate the propriety of the suspensions before a grievance arbitrator.
The NBA contends the commissioner has sole authority under collective bargaining rules for imposing discipline on players for on-court behavior.
The players' union argues it never agreed to the spirit of any rule to give the commissioner unchecked power to levy suspensions of the length he gave to Artest (the remainder of the 2003-04 season), Jackson (30 games), O'Neal (25 games) and Anthony Johnson (five games) for fighting with fans during a wild melee at the end of an Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game two weeks ago.
"Ultimately, one way or another, that issue is likely to get decided in federal court," NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.
HORNETS TRADE ARMSTRONG: The New Orleans Hornets traded veteran guard Darrell Armstrong to the Dallas Mavericks for third-year player Dan Dickau on Friday.
Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said the move allows the 1-13 Hornets to give more playing time to young guards Junior Harrington and Alex Garcia.
"We see bright futures for both of them and feel very comfortable with them receiving more minutes and continuing to develop," Bristow said.
The 36-year-old Armstrong was brought in to lead the Hornets' second unit, but often started this season and last because of injuries to Baron Davis, who currently is out with an inflamed disk in his lower back. Armstrong has averaged 10.6 points and four assists in 93 games with New Orleans.
Dickau is averaging 1.3 points in four minutes this season. He has also played for Atlanta and Portland, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 assists in 97 games.
Since coming to New Orleans, Armstrong has been popular with fans. He's known for a high-energy, hustling style that routinely has him diving for loose balls, taking hard charges and causing turnovers.
But Armstrong also has been inconsistent shooting from outside and is 17-for-70 from 3-point range this season.
The Mavericks, who lost Steve Nash to free agency last summer, needed a veteran point guard. Rookie Devin Harris has been starting, with Jason Terry coming off the bench. But Terry has a nagging ankle sprain that flared up again in Thursday night's victory over Houston.
Harrington, 24, who started the season on the Hornets' injured list, has played well in recent games, averaging a little more than eight points while shooting 46 percent.
The 24-year-old Garcia has been out with a strained groin but is listed as probable for Saturday night's home game against the Detroit Pistons.
"I've been very impressed with Junior and Alex and they've earned this opportunity," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "Darrell is a true professional and a great veteran, but he is approaching the end of his career and this move will benefit the Hornets."
Meanwhile, the Hornets expect to add another player to the roster on Saturday.
The NBA granted the Hornets a roster exemption that will allow them to place four players on the injured list instead of the standard three. That will open another spot on the 12-man active roster.
The Hornets applied for the exemption following this week's announcement that center Jamaal Magloire would have to sit out up to three months with a dislocated right ring finger.
Magloire injured his hand in the final minute of a loss at Phoenix on Nov. 26.
Davis, Jamal Mashburn and Rodney Rogers already were on injured reserve when Magloire got hurt.
REGGIE'S BACK: Guard Reggie Miller was activated from the Indiana Pacers' injured list Friday, and the franchise's career-scoring leader will make his season debut this weekend after serving a one-game suspension.
Miller, who has missed the entire season with a broken bone in his left hand, was suspended for one game for leaving the bench shortly before the Pacers' bench-clearing brawl at Detroit on Nov. 19.
He served the suspension during Indiana's game at Sacramento on Friday night but planned to be in uniform for Saturday night's game at Golden State.