MEDIA NOTES

          NBA: In Orange County, Randy Youngman wrote that he
     feels "sorry for" NBC's Bob Costas, who "must try to draw
     meaningful commentary from new broadcasting partner Isiah
     Thomas."  One example of Isiah's "insightful analysis" came
     after Michael Jordan made his first six jumpers: "He's in
     the 'thang' today.  He's in the 'thang'" (O.C. REGISTER,
     1/19).  But in N.Y., Bob Raismann credits Thomas for
     "playing it straight and not trying to voice a line of jive"
     (DAILY NEWS, 1/20)....Sunday's Pacers-Celtics game earned an
     11.8/25 rating in Boston.  The halftime show, featuring the
     retiring of Robert Parish's number, drew a 14.7/32 (BOSTON
     GLOBE, 1/20)....The 76ers drew a 4.7/10 for the local
     telecast of their win over the Bulls last week, including a
     7.2 for the 9:45-10:00pm segment (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 1/17).