NAMES IN THE NEWS

     The Celtics' RICK FOX is going to N.Y. today to read -- for
the second time -- for a part in "Eddie," a Disney movie starring
WHOOPIE GOLDBERG.  Other basketball players being sought include
players from the Tar Heels, the Sonics' GARY PAYTON, Laker NICK
VAN EXEL, and the Nuggets' ROBERT PACK (BOSTON HERALD,
7/6)....MITCH ALBOM will soon be leaving WLLZ-FM in Detroit
leaving him without a morning radio sports gig in the city for
the first time since '85 (DETROIT NEWS, 7/2)....New Islanders
Coach MIKE MILBURY on playing in the same market as the past two
Stanley Cup champions:  "You know, screw the Rangers and screw
the Devils.  I work for the Islanders and I could care less about
them" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/5)....Flyers center ERIC LINDROS
will receive more then $2M in bonus money if he is selected
league MVP ("Sports Tonight," CNN, 7/5).... ESPN's Mike Tirico
reported that only 10 of the NFL's 32 first round picks have
signed.  But agent LEIGH STEINBERG told ESPN to look for a
"plethora" of signings within the next few weeks, with the delays
"a function" of most of the league being on vacation during June
("SportsCenter," 7/5).