LAKERS FORGIVE APOLOGETIC RIDER.(Sports) From: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) | Date: March 9, 2001 | COPYRIGHT 2001 Daily News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Isaiah Rider's stubborn defiance got him a five-game suspension from the NBA. But his contrition earned him a reprieve from the Lakers - the latest in a long line of chances that have kept his checkered career alive.

The Lakers considered waiving Rider on Thursday, a day after the NBA disciplined him for refusing to comply with the drug aftercare program. Instead, team officials accepted Rider's apology and his p...