NBA NEWS & NOTES: MORE ABDUL-RAUF FALLOUT

     An ABC News/WASHINGTON POST poll has found that three-
quarter of those, who had heard of the suspension of Nuggets
guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf for refusing to stand during the nation
anthem, support the NBA's position.  But, while white respondents
back the NBA by a 80-19% margin, blacks are split, with 48%
supporting the league response and 51% in disagreement (Mario
Brossard, WASHINGTON POST, 3/24).
     BUZZ OUT OF CHARLOTTE:  ESPN's David Aldridge:  "It's ironic
that the NBA would be so adamant to enforce its rule that players
stand for the national anthem on Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, yet have
little to say about Charlotte Hornets Owner George Shinn."  Shinn
requires his players to take part in a pre-game prayer, with the
implication that those players who don't "won't be around long."
According to Aldridge, the NBA claims to have "neither the
authority nor the inclination" to challenge Shinn
("SportsCenter," 3/22).