[FlyinGK22]

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Yesterday, when the NBA announced that Magic forward/center Shawn Kemp had been suspended for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, many thought that Kemp had another drug relapse. Well, it turns out that it was really a missed drug test.

Kemp will take that same test today and hopes the results can be processed quickly enough so that he can play in Orlando's next game, which is thursday night in Detroit.

Kemp said he was supposed to take a drug test last Thursday, but he had rescheduled for today because he was out of town during the all-star break. He said he had done this before without incident.

"It really surprised me," Kemp said of the suspension. "I look forward to taking the test. It's not a problem."

As someone who has been red-flagged twice, Kemp is tested every week. This is the third drug-related incident of his career. In April 2001, Kemp checked himself into a rehabilitation center as a patient for cocaine abuse. Last February, he served a five-game suspension for violating the anti-drug program.

This time is different, Kemp said.

"It's a small misunderstanding," Kemp said. "I just think they're going a little overboard with the suspension."

Heak, it was announced only two hours before the Magic's game last night against the Nets.

As for the Magic's take on this, they are behind Kemp.

"The basketball part, I could really care less," Magic Coach Doc Rivers said before the game. :"Some people might think Shawn's a bad guy, and some stuff that has happened in his life might give you that. But he's not. The perception of Shawn had changed, I think, with you guys and us."

"Shawn's going to be fine," owner Rich DeVos said.

Asked whether he wants Kemp to return, knowing his history, knowing that next time there is always the possibility of another incident, DeVos said, “Yes, I want him back. Definitely.”

This season, Kemp is averaging 7.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.