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Saturday, October 24, 1998
Players want to show solidarity, help charity
By MICHAEL A. LUTZ
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) -- NBA players suited up Friday to prove a point
and raise some money for charity.
Teams of pro players coached by Clyde Drexler and Kenny Smith
played the closest thing to a real NBA game fans may see for some
time since the owners' lockout is threatening to eat up even more
of the season.
"These guys are well trained and they are trying to show
solidarity on the part of the NBA players," Drexler said.
"They want to show the fans and let the public know that
they're willing to play but they are locked out and there is nothing
they can do."
The game was promoted by Houston businessman Jim McIngvale,
with proceeds going to cancer research. It was played on the University
of Houston's home court, where Drexler will begin his coaching
career this season after retiring from the Houston Rockets.
A near-capacity crowd showed up in the 8,400-seat Hofheinz
Pavilion to get a look at NBA players in action. The list of players
included All-Stars Penny Hardaway, Tim Hardaway and Nick Van Exel.
San Antonio center David Robinson attended the game but did
not play.
Damon Stoudamire, who finished last season with Portland, hopes
the lockout won't affect attendance when the dispute ends.
"I don't think the everyday person can understand the
significance of what we are fighting for," Stoudamire said.
"It's hard to tell the everyday person why millionaires are
fighting.
"We just hope the fans will stick in there with us and
eventually, we'll be back."
"It was a chance to get to see all the NBA stars; you
don't get a chance like this very often," Brian Davis of
Houston said. "I don't think the NBA will be as affected
as much as baseball.
"With baseball you have 45,000 fans coming to the games.
With basketball, there are only maybe 20,000 seats so I don't
think it will be that hard to get 20,000 fans back."
"I'll probably stay away for awhile, but with a little
time to heal, I'm sure it will get back to the way it was before
and I'll be back," Stuart Lynn of Houston said.
John Perrella of Houston doesn't think the average fans has
much influence.
"The people buying tickets to the game are the corporations,
the rest of the fans watch the games on TV," Perrella said.
"It's entertainment for them, they buy the tickets to keep
the customers happy."
Houston Rockets guard Mario Elie just wants a deal.
"The deal is not correct and we'll stand our ground until
we get something worked out," Elie said. "I've got no
crystal ball. I can't predict what the fans will do. We are one.
We just want to play."
Forward Antonio McDyess said he needed the work.
"I need the conditioning bad," McDyess said. "Not
having a basketball around me is like having a big part of my
body missing. Hopefully things will get worked out and get out
there soon."
The dispute hasn't lasted long enough to frustrate Houstonian
Kelvin Washington.
"I think there is enough money on both sides," Washington
said. "The owners should come back to the bargaining table
and deal with the players."
One thing hasn't changed: Prices for the charity game were
still NBA caliber. Tickets ranged from $20 to $100.
"They told me the $20 tickets were all sold so I had to
get $40 tickets and they charged me $5 to park," Washington
said. "This is just like the NBA."
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