PRO BASKETBALL; Ward Refers Writers to Bible (Published 2001)

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When pushed by a crowd of reporters today to give the proper context for his recent controversial statements about Jews, the Knicks' Charlie Ward said, ''If you want to know what the context is, go to the Bible.''

Ward's comments about Jews persecuting Jesus Christ appear in an article by Eric Konigsberg on Sunday in The New York Times Magazine.

''The whole thing was said in a Bible study, so therefore when it's taken out of context, it loses its original meaning,'' Ward said today. ''That's part of media, and I don't know what the writer's intent was, but through it all the Lord is going to get the glory, regardless of what the case may be. As for people who were offended by it, that's something that I apologized yesterday for.''

On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League expressed shock at statements made by Ward and his teammate Allan Houston, accusing them of anti-Semitism and religious bigotry. Tonight, the American Jewish Congress joined in the criticism of Ward and Houston.

Knicks Coach Jeff Van Gundy said the controversy would not distract the team from concentrating on its playoff opener Sunday against the Toronto Raptors.

When asked if he was worried about the reception that Ward and Houston would receive from fans at Madison Square Garden, Van Gundy said: ''No. If we're booed, that would just be one of many times. Believe me, there would be no difference.''