ESPN CHILTON POLL: BULLS CLOSEST COMPETITION? "NONE"

     ESPN Chilton surveyed self-identified NBA fans age 12 and
above on their favorite teams and players.  Sample sizes are in
parentheses (THE DAILY).
               JAN-     OCT-                     JAN-      OCT-
     FAVORITE MAR '96  DEC '95     FAVORITE     MAR '96   DEC '95
     TEAM     (1,309)  (1,272)     PLAYER       (1,721)   (1,562)
     Bulls     28.0%    25.5%      M. Jordan     38.7%     33.8%
     None      16.9     18.4       None          15.0      20.3
     Celtics    6.2      6.8       M. Johnson     6.5       --
     Magic      5.7      5.8       S. O'Neal      6.1       8.2
     Lakers     5.6      5.1       C. Barkley     3.7       4.2
     Knicks     4.0      5.0       S. Pippen      2.8       2.0
     Hornets    3.5      3.3       A. Hardaway    2.8       2.3
     Pistons    3.4      --        H. Olajuwon    2.4       4.1
     Suns       3.0      3.2       D. Rodman      1.9       1.8
     Rockets    3.0      3.2       D. Robinson    1.9       --
     Cavaliers  --       2.8       G. Hill        --        2.0
     NOTE:  Prior to Magic Johnson's return, Shaquille O'Neal
held third place on the favorite player list after Michael Jordan
and "None," and the Magic were the third favorite team.  In the
Feb. '96 sample, Magic Johnson immediately became the next
favored player after Jordan (9.4% to Jordan's 37.8%), bumping
O'Neal to number 5.  The Lakers also moved to No. 3 on the team
list (THE DAILY).