Cooper Fined $5,000 for Brawl

Michael Cooper received the good-news, bad-news treatment at the Forum Tuesday night.

The good news was that Cooper returned from a one-game suspension to play in the Lakers’ 111-100 win over the Utah Jazz Tuesday night.

The bad news was that Cooper’s wallet was lightened by a $5,000 fine imposed by the league for his part in last Friday night’s brawl with the New York Knicks. The other principal combatant in the fight, Knicks forward Pat Cummings, also was fined $5,000 after serving a one-game suspension.

Rod Thorn, the league’s vice president for operations also levied a $750 fine on Laker forward A.C. Green, who had been involved in a shoving match with Cummings. Twelve players, six on each team, also were fined $250 for leaving the bench area.

Cooper, who had 15 points Tuesday, sported a new look. Just before the game, he shaved off his mustache.

“I did it for the image,” Cooper said. “My wife was calling me Fu Manchu. It made me look like a thug. I didn’t want the referees seeing that image, so I cut it off. I just moved up to first team All-Pretty.”

The Laker guard said he expected the fine to be higher. “To tell you the truth, I thought they were very lenient, simply because of the ugliness of the fight. I’m glad I got away with $5,000. Hopefully, there’ll be no more fights.”