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LOSING ISIAH? COSTAS IS, AS NBC MOVES ZEKE TO STUDIO

          An NBC source said yesterday that Isiah Thomas will
     "replace" analyst John Salley as part of the "NBA on NBC"
     studio crew, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY
     NEWS.  Although NBC execs "wouldn't elaborate" on the
     report, Raissman writes that "it was obvious" that "they
     weren't happy" with Salley, who joined Hannah Storm and
     Peter Vecsey in the studio.  Raissman adds that Thomas'
     shift "isn't surprising" since he "didn't light things up
     behind the mike in his rookie year" as an game analyst. With
     Thomas' move to the studio, NBC's No. 1 broadcast team will
     pair Bob Costas and Doug Collins (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/24). 
     In Houston, David Barron writes that Thomas "could flourish"
     in his new role because his "voice and demeanor seem to be
     better suited for studio work" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/24).
          PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE? The NBA yesterday
     released its '98-99 schedule, as well as its national TV
     broadcast slate.   NBC and Turner will feature the Bulls 11
     and 14 times, respectively, next season.  NBC Sports Chair 
     Dick Ebersol said that even "if Michael [Jordan] doesn't
     play for the Bulls next season, they'll still be a draw in
     Chicago," while Turner Sports Senior VP Kevin O'Malley said
     the schedule could be altered if "the Bulls change a lot." 
     O'Malley added that the Turner nets "have the flexibility to
     make up" games lost due to the lockout (Rudy Martzke, USA
     TODAY, 7/24).  In Chicago, Michael Hirsley writes that the
     broadcast schedule released yesterday "takes the optimistic
     view that the Bulls will return a popular team to the
     court."  O'Malley, on the impact of Jordan's possible
     retirement: "You'd certainly expect some negative impact.
     ... But the game rolls on" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/24).

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