STERN TESTIFIES IN SPREWELL CASE.

Byline: Associated Press

In a high-profile ending to the eight-day Latrell Sprewell arbitration case, commissioner David Stern testified for almost four hours Thursday in an effort to uphold the harshest nondrug penalty he has ever imposed.

``I'm very comfortable with our action,'' he said of Sprewell's one-year suspension. ``My job is to protect this league and the 400-plus players who never get involved in activity like the kind we are litigating, and I feel comfortable that I've acquitted myself the way I'm supposed to.''

Stern's testimony, which followed the questioning of three NBA security personnel, brought a conclusion to a hearing that lasted eight days over two weeks in Portland, Ore., and New York.

Post-hearing briefs are due by Feb. 13, and closing arguments will be made on the morning of Feb. 16 in New York.