The NBA players selected to represent the U.S. during
this summer's World Championships in Greece will "boycott
the tournament if the league imposes a lockout July 1,"
according to Peter May of the BOSTON GLOBE. Sources told
May yesterday that the "decision was reached over two days
of conference calls this week, one involving the agents of
the players and the other involving the players themselves."
One agent said, "The players have all agreed to go if there
is no lockout. But they feel it's a bit disingenuous of the
NBA to lock them out, keep them out of the gyms and workout
rooms, and then expect them to show up and represent the
league." May writes that the NBA "technically is not
involved in the tournament; the US team is sponsored by USA
Basketball." But he notes that NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ
Granik "happens to be" the President of USA Basketball and
the players "are all NBA players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/12).
BUT WILL HE BE AROUND? Michael Jordan, on a lockout:
"From what I've heard, it's a very strong possibility. I
think it's unfair to the fans, it's unfair to the game."
Alluding to the CBA approved two years ago by the owners,
Jordan said, "Everybody thought it was the owners' pact at
the time, now two years later it appears to be a players'
pact" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/12). More Jordan:
"There's certain issues that are not open to negotiating.
We don't want a hard cap" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/12).
