NBA PLAYERS AND REFS: DISCORD ON THE EVE OF THE PLAYOFFS

     The harmony that existed when the NBA players were pleading
for the return of the NBA officials has dissolved throughout the
season, to the point where the players and refs are now "warring
factions" as the playoffs approach, according to the CHICAGO SUN-
TIMES.  Referees' Union attorney Fred Slaughter has proposed
players be suspended for three games and fined $50,000 for
approaching refs in an angry or argumentative way.  NBPA official
Alex English says refs should be punished for bad calls just as
players and coaches are punished for criticizing officiating
(Lacy Banks, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/23).  In Cleveland, Bud Shaw
writes the NBA should issue a pre-playoffs statement that anyone
making physical contact with a ref will "be finished for the
remainder of the postseason.  End of discussion" (Cleveland PLAIN
DEALER, 4/21).  Atlanta's Craig Ehlo:  "It's ego.  All the stuff
that's going on now is all about egos" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER,
4/21).
     OTHER NBA NEWS:  The Nets and Magic will play at the Tokyo
Dome on November 7 and 9 in the NBA Japan Games (NBA)