DOCTOR J ADMITS THAT HE'S THE FATHER OF WTA TOUR'S STEVENSON

          RDV Sports VP Julius Erving said in a written statement
     Friday that he's the father of WTA Tour player Alexandra
     Stevenson.  In Philadelphia, Phil Jasner quoted Erving as
     saying: "The only relationship I have (with Alexandra) is
     through the attorneys.  It is a very professional situation.
     ... If I had my druthers, I wish this wasn't a public issue"
     (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 7/3).  In N.Y., Devlin Barrett
     reports that Erving has given Stevenson "financial support,
     but only met her once, at a basketball clinic when she was
     3" (N.Y. POST, 7/3).  In Baltimore, Milton Kent, on the Ft.
     Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel printing the story: "There was no
     reason for this story to appear in print or on the air,
     besides to serve a hungry press' desire to scoop" (Baltimore
     SUN, 7/6).  In N.Y., Harvey Araton: "Frankly, I don't think
     it is anyone's business, when consenting adults apparently
     have an agreement to keep such information private" (N.Y.
     TIMES, 7/3).  In Denver, Mike Littwin: "This story had no
     compelling reason to be told except that it was, well,
     interesting.  Is that enough?  ... Did the Sun-Sentinel
     cross the line?  More to the point, are there any lines left
     to cross?" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/4). In N.Y., Mike Lupica:
     "This is rodent journalism, putting an 18-year-old's birth
     certificate in the newspaper this way" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
     7/4).  In S.F., Bruce Jenkins: "Dr. J, you've lost your
     sense of timing" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/3).  In Philadelphia,
     Claire Smith: "Now we know that Erving, while a good, decent
     man, was not a perfect one" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/3).