The NBA announced its 50 greatest players in kicking off the
league's 50th Anniversary celebration for the season starting
Friday night. The day was highlighted by the joint appearance of
former rivals Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. In Washington,
Michael Wilbon writes, "Without them, who knows if the NBA would
be the global phenomenon it is now, or even if the league would
be so happily celebrating it's 50th anniversary" (WASHINGTON
POST, 10/30). In Philadelphia, Stephen Smith: "For 50 years, the
[NBA] has been making history, but you might not know it by
today's players." Chamberlain: "That's what we're trying to
change. ... Kids should know about all of us" (PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER, 10/30). In Cleveland, Mary Schmitt: "Like a circle
returning to its starting point, so, too, the NBA returns to its
beginnings 50 years later" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/29). In
Chicago, Dan Bickley: "The NBA turns 50 on Friday, and we should
all age so nicely" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/29). In Toronto, Brian
Milner notes the league was "not about to pass up the global
marketing opportunity presented by its golden anniversary. But
the anniversary also forces the NBA to face its troubled
relationship with the old-timers who helped build the loyal
following it has today" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/30).
SHAQ FEUD? In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence asks how Shaquille O'Neal
made the top 50. Lawrence: "Shaq stuck out like a tatoo on Bob
Dole ... [but] it's a fitting honor since Shaq is the leading
poster boy for how far the league has come." NBA Commissioner
David Stern: "We're referring to this as 'our' team and not 'the'
team" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/30).
