Mavericks first-round draft picks Etan Thomas, Courtney
Alexander and Donnell Harvey "will receive" 90% of their
first-year salary "up front, thanks to another innovative
idea" from Owner Mark Cuban, according to Jodie Valade of
the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The NBA allows "salary distribution
timetables to be structured in any way agreeable to player
and team, as long as one year's salary is paid within the
year." Cuban: "I wanted to send the message to the league
that we take care of our players, and I wanted to avoid any
issues in getting them to [the] summer league." Valade adds
that while Cuban's "savings might take a slight hit early on
from the deal with the rookies, he sees returns." Cuban: "I
lose about $100,000 in interest but guarantee that all the
rookies get to summer league and are committed to our
development program" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/19).
LAKE, LAKE SHOW: In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes that
while Lakers Exec VP/Basketball Operations Jerry West may
retire, team owner Jerry Buss "could give West a piece of
[the franchise]. ... It would be enough to let West know
that in building six world championship teams here, he has
been not only a caretaker, but an occupant" (L.A. TIMES,
7/19)....On his radio segment this morning on the Winstar
Radio Network, Keith Olbermann criticizes Long Beach Press-
Telegram writer Doug Krikorian for implying that Lakers
coach Phil Jackson may be having "Machiavellian
inclinations" in dating Jerry Buss' daughter, Lakers Exec
VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss, in order to receive
possible part-ownership of the team: "The snickering at two
people who may have actually found happiness with each other
is shameful, offensive and invasive" (Winstar Radio, 7/18).
CORN CHOWDER: Playing golf in IL, Wizards President of
Basketball Operations Michael Jordan was asked about today's
players wearing cornrows: "Cornrows are part of our society
now, just like pigtails. I think that's a bad criteria to
use to decide if you should draft a player or have a player
be part of your team" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/19).
