The pre-1955 NBPA, "championed by 1952 co-rookie of the year
Bill Tosheff," wants $4.5M of the new CBA to include 66 veterans
with at least three years' experience not currently included in
pension benefits," according to Greg Boeck of USA TODAY.
Tosheff: "We're dying off fast. Take care of us and set history
straight. We set the table for what is today" (USA TODAY, 9/21).
STARSPEAK: Charles Barkley, on how the NBA's labor strife
affected his friendship with Michael Jordan: "It put a strain on
our friendship. He finally called me last week. He hadn't
called me since I wrote an article (against decertification) in
USA Today. I have my perspective and he and everyone else
respects it. I'm not saying it's a great deal, I want to make
that clear. It isn't that good. It wouldn't have an effect on
me. I just think 95 percent of the players couldn't afford a
strike or lockout. I stayed out of the union stuff until I saw
it going in that direction" (Bob Young, ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/21).
Hakeem Olajuwan, on the decision not to decertify: "It worked
out for the best because with the direction of the league, the
way the NBA is growing so fast it would be foolish for us to do
anything otherwise" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/21).
