NBA PLAYERS SHOOT DOWN FIRST CBA PROPOSAL

     NBA Player Reps voted on Monday in Chicago to reject the
first "written proposal by the NBA to forge a new collective
bargaining agreement."  Hawks Player Rep Jon Koncak said the
proposal dealt with a salary cap, free agency, and licensing,
adding that there was no rookie salary cap, but that there were
"provisions to close both the one-year and out option and balloon
payments."  Koncak: "We are not interested in doing that."
Koncak did say that "some headway" was made in distribution of
money from licensing and merchandise saying that the proposal was
"a starting point" (Peter May, BOSTON GLOBE, 11/16).  "The
players are growing comfortable with the fact that the salary cap
is here to stay," according to Steve Bulpett of the BOSTON
HERALD.  While the players work on a rookie wage scale and more
revenue from merchandise under a new CBA, a "strong current of
reality runs through" the NBPA.  Bulls Player Rep Steve Kerr:
"The Players Association originally took the position that we
want to eliminate the cap. I am sure the French want the
Louisiana Purchase back, too.  The owners aren't going to go for
that" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/15).