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NBA TO CANCEL PRESEASON THIS WEEK? ATTEMPTS TO TALK HALTED?

          The NBA, "perhaps as soon as tomorrow, will officially
     cancel all training camps and its entire preseason schedule
     for the first time in its history because of the ongoing
     lockout," according to Mitch Lawrence of the N.Y. DAILY
     NEWS.  The cancellations, along with "no negotiations
     scheduled, virtually guarantee that the start of the regular
     season will be postponed -- another first."  In other news,
     NBA Commissioner David Stern talked to owners last week and
     "reportedly was told by 12 owners that they were in favor of
     canceling the entire regular season" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
     9/22).  The AP's Chris Sheridan reports that owners and
     players "discussed getting together for another bargaining
     session, but the idea was dismissed when the sides couldn't
     agree on the ground rules."  NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ
     Granik: "We invited players to come back to the table, and
     they declined."  NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter said that he
     proposed a smaller meeting, with four reps attending from
     each side.  But when Stern asked that the "meeting be held
     when the eight members of the owners labor committee were in
     town, Hunter declined" (AP/WASHINGTON POST, 9/22).
          HARD LINERS: In Boston, Will McDonough wrote that as a
     possible compromise in negotiations, look for the "owners to
     offer to grandfather the Bird Rule players for three or four
     years.  This way, most of them will be covered for the rest
     of their careers.  Then the owners will try to do a deal
     without the Bird Rule that would guarantee more money to the
     middle class and reserves" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/19).  In San
     Jose, Jesse Barkin wrote, "Unity on both sides has never
     been higher."  Agent Jerome Stanley said Stern "figures if
     the owners ride it out, the players will break down because
     their families are depending on them.  And he's right about
     them.  But here's where he's made his mistake.  They've
     misjudged the leadership.  They're right about the players
     but they're wrong about the guy at the top [Hunter]" (SAN
     JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 9/20).  One labor source: "I have great
     admiration for [Stern].  But [NBPA General Counsel Jeffrey]
     Kessler is just like Stern.  He's as smart or smarter than
     Stern but he doesn't have Stern's class or style."   But
     some labor "hawks" wonder why the NBPA's Hunter "lets
     Kessler stay out front, when Kessler so clearly antagonizes
     Stern" (L.A. TIMES/Bergen RECORD, 9/20).   
          NBA NOTES: In Orlando, Tim Povtak wrote that Magic fans
     "have begun to waver in their support" of the team,
     partially due to the lockout.  The season-ticket renewal
     rate for this season is 80%, down from 93% a year ago
     (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/20)....In S.F., Dwight Chapin profiled
     CSI Capital Management's Leland Faust, who offers financial
     advice to "roughly" 100 clients, including 30 NBA players. 
     Faust: "For the last year, we've been telling everybody to
     be sure to save money.  We've suggested in certain cases
     that certain lifestyles be deferred" (S.F. EXAMINER, 9/20).
     

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