Pacers coach Larry Bird said that the NBA is missing
some top stars in big markets, according to Mark Montieth of
the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Bird: "[Spurs C] Tim Duncan and
[T'Wolves F Kevin] Garnett are in small markets. You don't
hear much about them. I think that hurts the league. I'm
glad they're in small markets. The small markets get
overlooked a lot. I didn't realize that until I came here.
But it's no good for the league. These guys should be in
big markets where fans would see them on TV more and be more
excited about the NBA game" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/16).
AT THE GATE: Sonics President Wally Walker said of the
team's attendance, which is down about 2,000 a game from
last year: "It's a concern, obviously. It's all over the
league. Hopefully, when football is over, the numbers will
go back up" (CBS SportsLine, 12/15). Sonics G Gary Payton:
"I don't know why the fans don't want to come. I don't go
around with a (sign) and say, 'Hey, why are y'all not coming
to our games?' I don't do that. I don't care about that.
... When [fans] start figuring out that we're winning again
they might start coming back" (SEATTLE P-I, 12/16).
TAKING ACTION: In Philadelphia, John Mccalla writes
that Philadelphia-area hotels are "taking room reservations"
for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, but they are "taking extra
precautions to avoid being sidelined" after last year's
lockout caused the All-Star Game to be canceled. Many
hotels "were never offered any compensation for lost room-
nights." Mccalla writes that "this time, hotels ... are
reporting more favorable contract terms" from the league,
"with more clearly defined contingencies, or as they call
them, 'outs.'" A suit filed by Omni Hotels in Philadelphia
Court of Common Pleas against NBAP is "still pending over
the cancellation" (PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/13).
