CHRIS WEBBER GETS MORE PRESS IN D.C. THAN NEWT GINGRICH

     The Bullets pulled the trigger on one of the biggest deals
in recent NBA history, and are hoping it pays off at the box
office.  Yesterday's trade for 1993 Rookie of the Year Chris
Webber, and the signing of fellow Fab-Fiver Juwan Howard, created
"hysteria" in the Nation's Capital.  The team "didn't have enough
people answering the phones or take the requests," writes Michael
Wilbon of the WASHINGTON POST.  Wilbon: "More than 500 season-
ticket plans had been sold by 9:30 last night. ... The Bullets
have a superstar. ... someone to put on posters and billboards"
(WASHINGTON POST, 11/18).  The SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY recently
completed a survey of the top marketable young players in the
NBA. Webber finished second, behind Detroit rookie Grant Hill.