A "moratorium resembling a no-lockout, no-strike
pledged was discussed" Wednesday during an NBA collective
bargaining session as a way to reinstate the 12 players who
were removed from the U.S. World Championship team,
according to an AP report by Chris Sheridan in the SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE. Sources told Sheridan that a "moratorium extending
into mid-summer ... was discussed in broad terms," which
would allow for the return of the 12 players. After meeting
yesterday, the league and the union agreed to meet again
"early next week" (AP/SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/18).
DREAM TEAM TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE: In Denver, Mark
Kiszla writes, "Caught in the crossfire of a labor war
between the NBA and the league's players, the Dream Team is
dying. Let it fade away. The Dream Team, a tired concept,
has a duty to die. ... Good. No more Dream Team means no
more stars wrapping themselves in Old Glory for corporate
gain. No more pampered athletes" (DENVER POST, 6/18).
NEXT PLEASE: In L.A., Greg Johnson surveys sports execs
who say that the NBA "will be hard-pressed to crown an heir
apparent when Air Jordan grounds himself." Rick Burton, Dir
of the Warsaw Sports Marketing School at the Univ. of OR:
"Hero appreciation is driven by superhuman performance, and
now to be a hero you have to be a champion to the level that
Jordan has set the bar at." DC-based attorney Lon Babby,
who represents Grant Hill and Tim Duncan: "You're never
going to duplicate Michael Jordan, because he's a once-in-a-
lifetime phenomenon. And I don't think anyone is seriously
aspiring to duplicate him. But there is an opportunity out
there for someone who can be the next iteration of an
important spokesperson for the league" (L.A. TIMES, 6/18).
