Marc Berman reports that Charlie Ward and Allan Houston, both devout Christians, have been learning to read Hebrew since last summer. The irony is tangible as Ward and Houston were embroiled in a controversial firestorm two years ago during the playoffs over their biblical interpretation regarding the Jews' involvement in the killing of Christ.

"It's about knowledge," Houston said recently. "It's the oldest language."



Though they should be extremely proud of their endeavor, neither Houston nor Ward wished to elaborate - sensitive that a published report about their religious studies would only stir up old wounds relating to the two-year-old magazine story. "It's something we do in our private time, but it's no big deal," Ward said.

Before the Lakers' game in February, an L.A.-based Israeli reporter caught wind of Houston's and Ward's Hebrew studies and was skeptical, hearing of the past controversy. So the Israeli wrote Houston's first name in Hebrew letters and Houston was able to read it. Houston then went out and scored his career-high 53 points.

Houston's career game prompted the reporter to write in an Israeli newspaper that Houston would be wise to read his name in Hebrew before every game. "Ever since I was 16, I wanted to study the word of God the way it was written," Houston told the reporter.

Houston and Ward have not waned in their Christian studies. They still attend chapel before each game and hosted a Christian childrens' function during All-Star Weekend in Atlanta.