Despite judge's ruling, league remains in limbo

Sporting News, The, August 1, 1994 by Shaun Powell

The NBA owners won Round 1 in their labor dispute with the players' union when a federal judge upheld the legality of the salary cap, right-of-first-refusal and draft.

Before his ruling, Judge Kevin Duffy was smart to say, "If anyone believes the process ends here, then they don't need a lawyer, they need a psychiatrist."

Although the court ruling cleared the way for teams to begin signing free agents and rookies and making trades, the issue is still cluttered:

* Horace Grant and Danny Manning, probably the most attractive of the unrestricted free agents, remain in limbo.

Sure, they're free to sign now. But should they? What if they do, then Duffy's decision is overruled on appeal? By signing now, the two players can lock themselves in with the team of their choice and prepare for next season. However, if the union wins on appeal and the salary cap and all of its restrictions are wiped out, then Grant and Manning can sign with anyone without regard to the cap.

For the two players, a victory on appeal is important for two reasons: Each would have the chance to play for a winner and get handsome salaries. Under the current cap rules, very few championship contenders can absorb the kind of money it'll take to fetch those players.

One unrestricted free agent has already decided to sign rather than wait for the appeal.

Dominique Wilkins latched on to the Celtics' offer, signing for three seasons and $11 million. Because the Celtics are still in the rebuilding stage, Wilkins can't expect to get the championship ring he said was so important. But Wilkins didn't want to risk the money. There had been little interest in him. Had he waited, the big money might not have been there.

Manning appears to be hedging on returning to the Hawks; the Hornets and Magic remain options to him. Grant has already visited the Magic, Hornets, Mavericks and Pistons.

* General managers from several teams said they are in a similar bind. How can they begin to build toward next season if, in a few months, the entire free-agency process could change? That is why there hasn't been much movement.

* If the union loses on appeal, it can either decertify and allow its players to take their antitrust charges to court or go back to the bargaining table.

Either option would probably take months and the 1994-95 season would begin without a labor contract.

Until an agreement is reached, management and players will continue to operate in an awkward manner. Sure, Duffy did rule in favor of the NBA. But in reality, the score is zero-zero.

No one is winning.

Popovich declines

The Spurs still don't have a coach, but despite rumors to the contrary, Gregg Popovich says he won't take the job.

"When the Spurs asked me to interview for the general manager's job," he says, "I thought it was a great opportunity to put the program together. I also thought it would be pretty difficult to be a rookie G.M. and a rookie head coach at the same time."

The Spurs have considered Rick Adelman and Stu Jackson. Popovich says there is no timetable for making the hire.

Popovich says it is important for the coach to get along with David Robinson, but not Dennis Rodman. That's a sure sign the team wants to deal Rodman before the season starts. Rodman is held in contempt by members of the Spurs' new ownership group.

Around the league

The Hornets' Larry Johnson surprised Coach Don Nelson in the first week of preparation for the World Championships. Nellie figured Johnson would be a step slow, considering his back problems he had last season. However, Johnson went full tilt and didn't shy away from contact. . . . Point guard Rumeal Robinson, the pride of Cambridge, Mass., attended the Celtics' minicamp, but a cruel fate awaited him. Robinson didn't even make the squad for the New York summer league games. He was cut because he was overweight and outplayed by David Wesley, the ex-Nets' backup. Robinson apologized to Boston fans through the city's two newspapers. ... For what it's worth, Knicks pick Charlie Ward was named MVP of the New York summer league. Outside shooting was Ward's weakness in college, but in the summer league championship game he made five 3-pointers. Forward Sharone Wright, the 76ers' top pick and the only lottery choice in the summer league, was dominant.... Sixers Coach John Lucas says B.J. Tyler, the team's other first-rounder, "is already the quickest player in the league."