AVERY BESMIRCHED BY SECOND FINE

When Kings center Sean Avery discovered he was being fined $1,000 for diving during a game, he let the Los Angeles Times know that he wasn't pleased with the new league rules.

"How can a guy sitting in an office in New York determine if you dived or not by watching a tape?" said Avery. "They don't know if you had a bad ankle or torn bursa sac or something."

The league did not appreciate his feedback, and fined him another $1,000 Tuesday.

Avery insists that these fines are just the latest in a conspiracy to punish him, and that there was "no question that [the fines] are a way (for the league) to do something to me. It has nothing to do with diving."

So far this year Avery has made derogatory comments about French NHL players, and been accused of racism by Edmonton's Georges Laraque.

Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, said that Avery's comments were uncalled for and that Avery had "besmirched the reputation of all NHL players, coaches, general managers and owners who, collectively, have been successful in providing a more entertaining game for our fans."

Upon hearing Campbell's remarks, Avery announced an immediate press conference, which was held in Avery's driveway.

"That figures that Colin Campbell would say that," said the seething Avery. "Comments like that, or not recognizing a huge milestone like celebrating my 500th penalty minute on October 13th, it just shows a lack of class they have."

"And what the hell does besmirched mean?" said a baffled Avery. "Is that some stupid french word?"