Re:Agents to the rescue... Index(es):

[Jim Hill <jahill@leasingservice.com>]

Ray stated......

"Under the new proposal, teams could designate one player as
a franchise player, regardless of years of service, who could
receive a contract that would "pay him 35 percent of the team's
salary cap."  Approximately equal to as much as $115 million
over 7 years.

Since both Pitino and Gaston have already gone on record that
they don't view Antoine as a $100 million dollar player, should
this proposal be accepted, Antoine is gone.  He'll want to be
to be designated as a franchise player and receive the
$100 million plus contract, and Gaston won't pay it.

One team that will pay it is the Chicago Bulls, especially if
Jordan leaves.
Ray"

Boy the agents must really respect Hunter if they need to tell the media
their "suggestions" (See "demands") so the players and NBA management
find out about it.

    As far as I'm concerned, I still will watch NBA "teams".  The
individual players define the timeline of the team in history but it
will always be about the Celtics team.  I have turned on the TV to watch
Jordan before (Is there another player on the Bulls to turn on the TV
for?)  But typically what I like to watch is team against team.  The
individual match ups make it intriguing as it relates to "team" offense
and "team" defense but not much more then that.

    I would not be distressed if some of these "two year, gonna be a
star in the future so pay me that way now, players" left the NBA and
played overseas for a few years.  The weakening (perhaps) of the
individual team can be overcome by playing team basketball where
victories have more significance then individual statistics.

<Jim