Charles Barkley said it was "very fortunate" that the NBA
and its player resolved their differences yesterday, adding that
he didn't think the Dream Team would have played tonight's
exhibition against the Chinese under a lockout. Barkley: "It
wouldn't be fair for us to play and make money on TNT if they had
locked us out. And that's what the argument was over -- TV
money." David Robinson: "Charles might want to talk to the rest
of us before he says some of that stuff. But whatever statement
he wanted to make, we would have done it together" (Lacy Banks,
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/10). USA Basketball's Craig Miller said the
Team was never "endangered." Miller: "The players realize that
this is the Olympics" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 7/10).
FRENZY TIME: Most media reports focus on the delay in
starting free agent negotiations. The ORLANDO SENTINEL reports
the Magic have no plans to file tampering charges against the
Lakers, despite widespread reports that Shaquille O'Neal is
headed to L.A. O'Neal's agent, Leonard Armato denies any
wrongdoing (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/10).
LIFE IN THE CATBIRD SEAT: ESPN's David Aldridge reported
that, pre-lockout, agent David Falk made it "clear that he was
not going to get on a plane with his players and go around the
country" -- so most of his players were in Washington, DC,
yesterday ready to negotiate from Falk's office ("NBA Today,"
7/9). Falk: "A week from Thursday, I'm planning to be on a jet
to Paris with my family for a month, so it's certainly my goal
and my expectation that -- with the help of my partners and
associates -- we'll have the major deals done" ("SportsCenter,"
ESPN, 7/9).
CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE: In Chicago, Lacy Banks calls Patrick
Ewing and Michael Jordan "unsung heroes" for bringing in Jeffrey
Kessler as union negotiator. Banks adds that the NBPA "continues
its effort to return to the strength and solidarity it enjoyed"
under former Exec Dir Charles Grantham (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/10).
