The Bullets organization was "feeling the heat" this weekend
for failing to re-sign All-Star free agent Juwan Howard,
according to this morning's WASHINGTON POST. Howard, who opted
for a seven-year, $98M offer from the Heat, was an integral part
of the Bullets, and the team had used him in recent campaigns to
change their name and move into the new MCI Center, and he had
served as their representative on the Olympic Torch run. The
team also took out an ad in the Post last week vowing to do
everything necessary to keep him. The decision by Owner Abe
Pollin not to match the Heat's offer "left some fans questioning
his commitment to the club and whether he should sell it" (Adande
& Tousignant, WASHINGTON POST, 7/15). Howard's agent, David
Falk, and Bullets GM Wes Unseld have different versions of the
talks. Based on past history, Unseld reportedly felt no matter
what they offered, Falk would raise his demands (Mark Asher,
WASHINGTON POST, 7/15).
BAD BUZZ: The news dominated the DC press, with front-page,
above-the-fold pieces in the POST both Sunday and today.
Columnist Tony Kornheiser writes Pollin "may as well stop
construction on the new MCI Center right now." Noting increased
ticket prices at USAir Arena, Kornheiser adds, "Try selling them
now" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/14). Columnist Michael Wilbon: "No
franchise in the NBA has less vision than the Bullets"
(WASHINGTON POST, 7/15). The WASHINGTON TIMES' Tom Knott notes
Bullets President Susan O'Malley "is probably planning to hire 10
mascots to keep customers happy" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/15). Beat
writer Frank Hughes: "The Bullets showed again that they are
less concerned about winning than they are about Abe Pollin's
pocketbook." Hughes, noting the media has put the cost of
keeping Howard at around $95M: "If they rest of the world knows
it ... the Bullets should have known it too" (WASHINGTON TIMES,
7/14).
