HEY, NBA, CAN YOU HELP OUT A BROTHER IN DENVER?

          A letter from the NBA to the City of Denver detailing
     "deficiencies" at McNichols Arena was an attempt by the
     league "to disarm the most powerful weapon the city has in
     its ongoing negotiations over a new arena" for the Nuggets
     and Avalanche -- the Nuggets lease at McNichols, according
     to Arthur Hodges in the DENVER POST.  City officials
     "insists" the language of the Nuggets lease gives Denver "a
     near ironclad" right to hold the team at McNichols until
     June, 2006.  Denver City Attorney Dan Muse: "Read my lips: 
     They cannot do it (break the lease).  They gave their word
     to play the games here.  They have an obligation to keep
     their word."  Hodges notes that Ascent Entertainment, owner
     of both teams, could move the Avalanche at any time, but
     "observers agree it would be tough for the company to make
     the arena deal work unless the Nuggets moved to the new
     venue at the same time" (DENVER POST, 12/11).