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The article examines the sale of the Sacramento Kings team of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and its possible relocation to Seattle, Washington. The effort of Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, California to create a local ownership group and finance construction of a new arena is examined. The recommendation of a committee of NBA owners that the league accept that proposal rather than approval the sale of the team to owners who would move it to Seattle is discussed.

Discusses the rule modifications approved on June 27, 1997 by the National Basketball Association's Board of Governors. Three point line moved back to original distance; Forearm checking outlawed; No-charge area under basket expanded; Changes as to when time outs can be called; Effects of rules on game play.

Observes that since the National Basketball Association changed the home-and-road game format of its championship series in 1985, only three teams without the home-court advantage have won. Reason for change of format; Favor of team with better regular-season record; Reasons for returning to the previous format.

Opinion. Offers predictions for the 1997 National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs. Prediction that the Chicago Bulls will win the championship; The Orlando Magic will stun the Miami Heat; The Portland Trail Blazers will not pull a first-round upset; Other predictions.

Discusses the penalty levied in January 1997 by the National Basketball Association (NBA) against Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman for kicking a courtside photographer during a game. Eugene Amos, the photographer; Details on the severity of the fine; Historical background on long fines; Disagreement with the reaction of Rodman's agent, Dwight Manley, and NBA Player Association head Bill Hunter to the fine.

Reports that while National Basketball Association (NBA) league official expressed hopes of completing negotiations `by the end to the season,' the best David Stern could do was assert, was that his sport's historical labor peace augurs well for a strike-free contract settlement. How there is likely to be some sort of rookie salary cap; What a rookie cap might do.

Discusses possible problems with the new NCAA rule that allows an underclassman to enter the NBA draft but return to school within 30 days if he doesn't like how the draft turns out. Reason behind the ruling; Potential impact on athletes, coaches and NCAA enforcers.

Looks at rapper Master P (birth name Percy Miller). His business successes including No Limit Records and No Limit Sports Management; Expected earnings for 1998; His desire to perform in the National Basketball Association (NBA); Experience as a basketball player; Consideration of his preparedness for the NBA.

Focuses on coaching changes in the National Basketball Association. Firing of coaches Chris Ford by the Milwaukee Bucks and Eddie Jordan by the Sacramento Kings; George Karl hired by the Bucks; Possibility that Kurt Rambis will be hired by the Kings; Credentials of Rambis.

Focuses on the National Basketball Association (NBA) agent advisory committee, which met in New York with players' association executive director Billy Hunter to discuss strategy for the negotiation of any new deal; The primary objective of the gathering; The agents discussing how to bolster support for the players' association on the league's two weakest union teams, the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers; How they plan on dealing with Karl Malone and Charles Barkley.

The article discusses free agency in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as of August 2013, focusing on professional basketball player such as Kevin Garnett, Andrei Kirilenko, and Dwight Howard. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, is mentioned in relation to free agents such as Deron Williams. New York Knicks team member Carmello Anthony is assessed, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder team which lost team member Kevin Martin in the offseason.

The authors offer their impressions from having watched games during the National Basketball Association's (NBA') Summer League. Topics noted include the impressive play of Jonas Valanciunas, the tendency of Ben McLemore to shoot the ball much and pass it very little, and the wide variety of footwear worn that did not conform to NBA rules.

The article presents sports forecasting on the 2014 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. An anonymous NBA executive states that the quality of players who will be eligible for the draft is so high that some teams will intentionally lose games in the 2013-2014 season to get a higher draft pick. Players cited as among the best of those eligible for the draft including Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Marcus Smart.

The article presents sports forecasting on the 2013 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. A forecast is presented for the first 14 selections of the first round in which the order of the draft has previously been determined by lottery. Center Nerlens Noel of the University of Kentucky is forecast to be the first player selected.

A table is presented on the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft in which the college basketball teams which have had the most selections in the higher round of the draft decided by lottery from 2003-2012 are rated.

The authors offer opinions on basketball coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jackson is said to have been a significant factor in the Warriors' surprising success in the 2012-2013 season and 2013 playoffs, which is seen as primarily attributable to his relationship with the Warriors players.

The article considers National Basketball Association (NBA) players who are injured and cannot play in the 2013 playoffs, citing the opinion of an anonymous NBA scout that the players including Rajon Rondo, David Lee and Russell Westbrook would form one of the NBA's strongest teams if healthy.

The authors offer opinions on basketball player Marc Gasol, a center for the Memphis Grizzlies team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is stated that although Gasol was not selected to play in the league's All-Star game, he has been the NBA's best center in the 2013 season due to his role as the most important element of the team's defense and his passing ability on offense.

An obituary is offered for National Basketball Association (NBA) scout and executive Marty Blake.

The author offers opinions on basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association (NBA), selecting the eight coaches they believe are the best coaches in the league in the 2012-2013 season. Coaches cited include Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics, Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks and George Karl of the Denver Nuggets. Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs is said to be the best NBA coach.

The article discusses the status of the National Basketball Association's (NBA's) Development League (D-League) as of March 2013, focusing on NBA commissioner David Stern's use of the D-League as a place to tryout rule changes prior to implementing them at the NBA level. It states that several former D-League players are playing in the NBA, including Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin and Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea. Dallas Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban is also mentioned.

The article presents world sports news briefs as of March 11, 2013. Professional soccer player Gareth Bale scored 10 goals in eight games for the Tottenham team. The Minnesota Timberwolves National Basketball Association (NBA) team lost 21 out of its last 25 games. Gonzaga University's men's basketball team is ranked number one in the U.S. after finishing the season with 29 wins in 31 games.

An interview is presented with basketball player Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Durant says he does not believe he could ever score more than 50 points in a game. He says that he believes the Thunder can improve considerably as they are a young team. Durant states that attending college for one year helped him be prepared for professional basketball.

News briefs on sports are presented. Representatives of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and NBA Players Association labor union failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement to end a lockout. Dewey Bozella, age 52, who served 26 years in prison before a murder conviction was reversed, was licensed to box in California. Former football player and author Peter Gent died at age 69.

Focuses on the growing number of players who have earned National Basketball Association spots without being drafted. Comments on Malik Allen's perseverance to become a starter for the Miami Heat; Idea that taking on a young free agent like Allen costs much less than signing a veteran.

Focuses on player assistance in the National Basketball Association due to the presence of many foreign players and teenage draft picks. Effort to ease their transition to professional basketball; Role of Colin Pine, who was hired to assist Yao Ming.

Reports that Toronto Raptors player Vince Carter was not invited to play on the United States Olympic basketball team. His propensity for dunking the basketball; How he earned the most All-Star votes in the National Basketball Association; Outlook for his future in basketball.

Discusses the amount of money being paid for assistant coaches in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The effect of Rick Pitino's salary as raising the bar on head coaching salaries; The amount reportedly being paid to Boston Celtics assistant coach Jim O'Brien.

Presents a series of photographs of celebrities and the National Basketball Association teams they support. Wilford Brimley; Jimmy Buffet; Alice Cooper; Hulk Hogan; Gaylord Perry.

Reports on the unusual silence accompanying the opening of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season for 1995-1996. Impact of the rookie salary cap; Comment by rookie Arn Tellem; Amount signed by leading rookies signed for the season.

Notes the NBA competition committee's recommendation regarding moving the three-point arc and lists some other modifications that have changed the geometric face of sports. The increase in the distance from pitcher's mound to home plate in 1893; Key lane in NBA widened from 6' to 12' in 1952; Goal post moved to back of end zone in 1974.

Reports that the National Basketball Association (NBA) acted quickly when commissioner David Stern rejected the Portland Trail Blazers' signing of free agent Chris Dudley. Attempts to circumvent the NBA's salary cap; Role of the special arbitrator.

States that National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern's investigation into Michael Jordan's gambling debts is a charade. Comments from Jordan regarding this affair; Thoughts about Stern's motives.

Discusses the upcoming National Basketball Association draft lottery. Good fortune of Orlando Magic who drew top choice second year in a row; High draft choice doesn't guarantee success; Possibility Orlando may trade down for another pick and a veteran player; Belief of John Nash, general manager of the Washington Bullets, that even good teams should get a chance at top choice; More.

Remembers Red Holzman, basketball player and coach, who died late in 1998 from leukemia. The perspective of his many-time opponent, Red Auerbach; Summary of his basketball career; Coaching the New York Knicks to National Basketball Association titles; Mentor to Phil Jackson.

Applauds Nike and the ad agency Wieden & Kennedy for their commercials displaying the general malaise of basketball fans in the midst of the National Basketball Association lockout. Retelling of the commercials' scenes; The celebrities involved.

Criticizes Karl Malone of the National Basketball Association Utah Jazz. His negative remarks toward Jazz owner Larry Miller and the Utah media; His hosting a talk show during the NBA lockout; His 13-year career with the Jazz and his desire to move on; Observations on perceived changes of character.

Describes the scene at the National Basketball Association's's NBA Store at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. The price of a rhinestone-studded purse shaped like a basketball, which was designed by Kathrine Baumann; Prices of New York Knicks earrings and Orlando Magic key chains; Comments about a Waterford vase inscribed with an image of Larry Bird, and a quote from Magic Johnson.

Focuses on Lenny Wilkens, a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame since 1989 as a player, who was inducted as a coach in 1998. His career as both a player and as a coach; Victories he has in his 25-year coaching career; Why Wilkins is the best player/coach to be inducted into any athletic hall of fame.

Looks at some obstacles faced by former basketball player for the Boston Celtics Bill Russell in 1958. Championship series between the Boston Celtics and the St. Louis Hawks; Injury of Russell's; Discrimination against Russell.

Presents a chart illustrating the five players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the lowest minutes-to-rings ratios. Performance of Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz.

Compares the Continental Basketball Association's (CBA) financial conditions with that of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) conditions. How the CBA team's entire payroll is less than the minimum NBA player's salary; How the nine-team CBA has sent a steady flow of players to the NBA; The CBA's relationship with the NBA; The CBA's instability.

Highlights the National Basketball Association (NBA) teams that during the last five seasons have been best at soundly defeating their opponents, as well as those teams that have been soundly defeated. How the Indiana Pacers' 124-59 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers produced the second-largest margin of victory in NBA history and was the first time a winning team had doubled up the loser.

Focuses on the personal-conduct guarantee clause in some of the National Basketball Association (NBA) players' contracts. Details of the clause; How former Golden state Warriors' Latrell Sprewell would still be receiving his full $32 million had his contract contained such a clause; Why a majority of agents do not bother to seek the clause.

Discusses the National Basketball Association (NBA) lockout in 1998. The issue of the so-called Larry Bird exception, which allows a club to pay any price to re-sign a free agent who has been with the same team for more than three years; Average salary for NBA players in the 1997-1998 season; Why the NBA players union should accept the hard salary cap that would eliminate the Larry Bird exception in exchange for concessions from team owners.

Discusses several aspects of the National Basketball Association lockout in 1998. Comments on a decision by arbitrator John Feerick related to the players who have guaranteed contracts; Suggestions about what commissioner David Stern might have done if Feerick decided that the players were entitled to their salaries; Quote from Avery Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs; Discussion of actions by the union.

Profiles Phyllis Freed, the only female sports agent to represent an active player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of only a few to do the same in the National Football League (NFL). Her small client list; Eugene Robinson, her NFL client; Otis Thorpe and Anthony Bowie, her NBA clients; How the athletes feel about Freed; How Freed became an agent; Her views on being a female agent.

Claims that the National Basketball Association's (NBA) labor problems could effect the fans' interest in professional basketball. NBA lockout of players until negotiations are complete; Belief that fans will not care if the professional basketball players strike; Interest lost in baseball because of a strike. INSET: Wish list.