Speaking at a luncheon in Phoenix on Friday, NBA
Commissioner David Stern said the league is prepared to "take
away games, seasons and careers from players who cause havoc on
the court to other players and or officials" ("SportsCenter,"
ESPN, 4/19). In New York, Mike Lupica writes that and NBA
VP/Operations Rod Thorn "deserve exactly what they are getting"
in recent ref-abuse incidents because of their failure to stand
by longtime ref Jake O'Donnell during last year's episode with
Clyde Drexler. Lupica: "You think the players didn't notice
that? What message did Stern and Thorn and the head of their
officials, whoever he is, think they were sending with that one?"
(N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/22). ESPN's Bill Conlin: "What I would like
to see when there is a bumping incident in baseball or basketball
is an internal affairs investigation just like they have in
police work when an officer is accused of police brutality"
("Sports Reporters," ESPN, 4/21).
SHARE-TACTICS: T-Wolves Owner Glen Taylor told columnist
Sid Hartman he is optimistic that revenue sharing will be adopted
soon in the NBA after attending a league meeting in New York
(Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/21).
