MISERY LOVES COMPANY? NBA LOCKOUT TALK HEATS UP

     The NBA Board of Governors "will likely decide Tuesday to
lock the players out of the regular season if a new collective
bargaining agreement isn't reached by the first week of
November."  Hawks President Stan Kasten, who is also president of
the MLB Braves:  "I think what you might be seeing is the last
strike ever -- or at least for a very long time.  I don't think
you're going to see any league ever again allow its players to go
into a season and build up their finances and then bring the
season down.  I don't think leagues are going to allow players to
get into the position where they can effectively cancel the post-
season.  I think what you'll see are lockouts" (Steve Bulpett,
BOSTON HERALD, 9/28).  The NBPA is waiting for a ruling in
federal appeals court regarding the salary cap, college draft,
and the right of first refusal involving free agents.  The union
seeks to reverse a lower court ruling stating the three did not
violate antitrust law.  NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik:  "We
would be happy to sit down and negotiate the issues now, but
apparently the players want to wait for the court ruling"
(Clifton Brown, N.Y. TIMES, 9/28).
     UNION REAX:  NBPA VP Charles Smith:  "We're prepared to
continue to move on through the course of the lockout and do what
we have to do" (Fred Kerber, N.Y. POST, 9/28).  NBPA Exec Dir
Charles Grantham said players would be prepared to play
alternative games in case of a lockout (Mult., 9/28).