NBA PLAYERS UNION PRESIDENT WILLIAMS "CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC"

     In an interview with USA TODAY, NBPA President Buck Williams
discussed lockout rumors: "We're waiting on a ruling on our
appeal of the court decision that upheld the draft, salary cap
and free agency. (Then) we'll have an insight into what direction
we're headed.  Hopefully, when we do sit down we'll work out an
agreement quickly."  On playing the season without a new CBA:
"Historically, these things have taken more than a year, and
we're only three or four months into this scenario, so there's no
reason to be alarmed" (USA TODAY, 10/19).  But Pistons guard Joe
Dumars is not so optimistic.  Dumars:  "I got a letter a few days
ago laying out what hasn't been happening.  It made me think a
strike might be a possibility.  Before, I thought we would get
this worked out.  But the letter made me think it might get
ridiculous" (Dave Fuller, TORONTO SUN, 10/19).