Speaking before Saturday's semifinals of the McDonald's
Championship in Milan, Italy, NBA Commissioner David Stern
said that the league "will work to develop" a minor league
system in the U.S. "before looking to establish an overseas
presence," according to the AP. Stern: "The way we now see
the development of basketball around the world is
encouraging but the NBA must develop a minor league in our
country first, either expanding our relationship with the
CBA or perhaps consider starting a league of our own in the
next year to 18 months." More Stern, on possible expansion
abroad: "We have no current plans to have an NBA league on
any particular continent, though we have received
expressions of interest from Asia, South America and, to a
lesser extent, Europe" (AP/SEATTLE P-I, 10/16).
ISIAH TAKING CHARGE: In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence reported
that CBA Owner Isiah Thomas has "drastically cut" player
salaries, with "top rookies making" $800 per week, and the
average salary down from $1,500 per week to $1,100.
Lawrence, on Thomas: "And this is the same guy who once was
president of the [NBPA]" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/17).
