Suns President Jerry Colangelo denied allegations that
the team's Gorilla mascot is "a racist symbol." Colangelo:
"I can say absolutely, unequivocally that has never been
true." Colangelo "did suggest" that the Gorilla's spoof of
Kings C Oliver Miller (See THE DAILY, 3/26) "crossed the
line." Colangelo: "If there had been a vote taken, I would
have said, 'Let's not do that'" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/27).
On ESPN.com, Mitch Lawrence writes that calling the Gorilla
mascot racist is "nonsense." Lawrence: "The Gorilla attacks
persons without regard to race, religion or origin. Now the
NBPA is siding with Miller. It's just another public-
relations disaster for Billy Hunter and Co." (ESPN.com,
3/29)...The Kings announced on Friday that team
VP/Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie signed a new four-year
contract. Terms of the deal were not announced, but "it is
believed Petrie will be paid more than" $1M per year
(SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/27)....In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell wrote
"don't be surprised" if RDV Sports VP Julius Erving
"succeeds Chuck Daly as Magic coach. A team insider says
Erving has the itch to coach" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/28).
WHICH HANSONS? In K.C., Jeffrey Flanagan wrote that the
IHL Blades are bringing in the Hanson brothers from the film
"Slap Shot" for a promotion. But some fans have called and
"mistakenly believed" the team is bringing in the teen-idol
music group Hanson. Blades Asst. Dir of Communications
Randy Cleves: "There's a slight difference between these
Hansons and the singing Hansons" (K.C. STAR, 3/27).
