EYEING A NEW CHUCK TAILOR? NBA PLAYERS CALL FASHION POLICE

          Considering that the "average man still considers
     himself to be a fashion illiterate, professional basketball
     is fashion central," according to Robin Givhan of the
     WASHINGTON POST, who examined the menswear industry's impact
     on today's NBA under the header, "Fashion At The Highest
     Level."  Givhan writes that the men's clothing industry "is
     an untapped gold mine," adding that from a marketing
     standpoint, basketball players and coaches "are valuable
     personalities," and that the NBA is "a natural selling
     stage" for the industry.  Donna Karan Menswear President
     Linda Beauchamp: "Sports people today are what Hollywood was
     in the '20's and '30s. ... Men hold sports in the highest
     esteem."  Givhan adds that NBA coaches are also part of the
     "fashion club," as the industry "has recognized coaches as
     the perfect pitchmen to reach a virtually untapped segment"
     of the men's clothing market (WASHINGTON POST, 4/28).