NBA players voted yesterday on decertifying the union. NBA
Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "The reports we've received
indicate that there has been a large turnout by NBA players.
We're very encouraged because we think the overwhelming majority
support the union" (David Moore, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/31).
Here is a roundup of player comments from a number of NBA cities:
DALLAS/FT. WORTH: Maverick Sam Perkins: "Once you get all
this literature and hear feedback, you don't know what to do.
You're confused. But once you go in that room, it's all up to
you." Hornets Larry Johnson: "I'm for playing some basketball.
You could probably go back, negotiate and come back with a better
deal, but is it worth risking the season?" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
8/31). Maverick Terry Davis: "I don't know if it's the best
deal we could have gotten. But for guys like me who don't have
million-dollar endorsement deals to fall back on, it keeps me
playing basketball and making money." Maverick Tony Dumas: "I
just want the season to start on time so we can continue to play
and we don't lose any fans like baseball did" (Price & Witt, FT
WORTH STAR TELEGRAM, 8/31).
HOUSTON: Spurs' Avery Johnson: "I don't like the deal.
But I voted for it even though it's going to cost guys like me a
lot of money. Sometimes, you've got to vote for the whole and
not the parts. You've got to suck it up and forget about your
personal agenda." Rockets' Clyde Drexler: "If the old deal we
had was OK, then this deal should be great. This is a better
deal than we had, no question." Nets' Sleepy Floyd: "I voted
against the deal because I think it's an unfair deal for the
players. ... A lot of guys have been painted in a corner and
pressured by the league to vote for the union or lose a year.
But a bad deal is a bad deal" (Eddie Sefko, HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
8/31).
LOS ANGELES: Clipper Olden Polynice: "We have too many
guys who don't know what's going on. They're just following
Michael (Jordan), Patrick (Ewing), and Alonzo (Mourning).
Michael can afford a work stoppage. Michael doesn't have to play
sports any more." Clipper Pooh Richardson: "I've got a feeling,
there's going to be a union. I don't think they're going to
decertify" (Scott Howard-Cooper, LOS ANGELES TIMES, 8/31).
ORLANDO: Magic's Horace Grant, who switched his vote: "The
agreement is not the best. It should have been better. But I
want to play ball. And I won't let greed get in the way. ... The
more I looked at it, the more I realized I didn't want us ending
up in a mess like the baseball players did." (Tim Povtak, ORLANDO
SENTINEL, 8/31).
PHILADELPHIA: 76er Shawn Bradley: "Either way, I think
we're going to play. ... I realize that's a very optimistic view
from the decertification side. I just don't think the owners are
willing to take the risk of going ahead with the lockout" (Phil
Sheridan, PHILA. INQUIRER, 8/31).
SACRAMENTO: Free agent Tom Tolbert: "I haven't voted in
any election in nine years. I wanted to see what it feels like.
Here I am walking down the street in Oakland to vote on a
contract that involves millionaires deciding how to share
billions of dollars, and I'm walking past people trying to decide
where their next bologna sandwich is coming from" (Martin McNeal,
SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/31).
WASHINGTON: Cavs' Danny Ferry: "I think a lot of people
are still mulling over their decision." Hornets' Alonzo
Mourning: "It is an unfair deal that limits players from
prospering. I think I made the right decision." Nuggets'
Dikembe Mutombo: "If we don't have a season, no one will care
about us. They might think you are a basketball player, but they
will not know who you are" (Justice & Sandler, WASHINGTON POST,
8/31).
