But Michael, there is no comparison between the NBA of the early 80s and the WNBA. I am not a historian and have done no research here, but I believe that Dr. J and Kareem and Magic and Larry Bird and Moses Malone and Tiny Archibald and players of that ilk populated the NBA in the early 80s. And some kid named Michael was just about to come into the league then. I have yet to see any players in the WNBA who play like they did nor have I seen any teams that can be compared in any way to the teams that populated the NBA at that time. If I had to draw a comparison, I would say that WNBA basketball reminds me of NCAA college basketball in the late 50s or early 60s as I used to see it at the Palestra in Philly.

Memo to Michael: Adjust the medication levels.

In NBA "news" the Paper Clips still have no coach. They went through the draft and began to assemble a team without any input from a person who might actually coach them. Now they are about to enter the free agency signing period without a coach - not that any prime free agent would even answer a call from the Paper Clips. They have talked to lots of people and lots of people have told the Clips that they have other pressing matters to attend to - like having a sigmoidoscopy. Here is a chance for all the organization development gurus to put some of their fancy theories to the test. Why not have the Clips play as a "self-directed team" which is way up there on the organizational development food chain. How much worse could they stink?

Free agent Rashard Lewis has announced he will stay in Seattle. Frankly, I like Lewis at least as much as I like Tracy McGready although I admit that Lewis is far less consistent. But Lewis got no "juice" in the free agency recruiting circus and I don't understand that.

Rumored trade between the Celtics and the Pacers has the Pacers giving up Travis Best and Chris Mullin and Austin Croshere (as part of a sign and trade situation since he is a free agent) and the Celtics giving up Antoine Walker and Dana Barros. Mullin is finished; there is no gas left in the tank. But he is a gym rat and knows the game and works at it all the time and so will fit into "Little Ricky" Pitino's ambiance. Walker is better than Croshere; Best is better than Barros. May be one of those trades that works out for both sides?

When the NBA lockout was ended back in Jan 1998, there was a provision for an "escrow tax" where players would pay back 10% of their salary to the owners if player salaries were more than 57% of the league gross revenues. (It may have been 55%, but I think it is 57%) Well salaries are now at 64% and rising and so players will take what amounts to a 10% salary cut starting next season. Pat Garrity of the Magic is the union's secretary-treasurer and he said players will be upset when they hear about it. Could this mean that their agents - who are noble men with only the welfare of these gifted athletes in their hearts - may not have told them about this "little speed bump in the road?"

In NFL news, the New England Patriots had to cancel a scheduled joint practice/scrimmage with the NY Giants because the Pats do not have enough offensive linemen healthy to go through that. Seven offensive linemen have a variety of injuries that keep them from practicing - let alone hitting someone in another colored jersey. Nine players at other positions were excused from practicing yesterday. Remember, this team is being coached by "Mr. Personality", Bill Belichek who already began the bonding process by telling the team that they were out of shape and did not work hard enough in the offseason just as he unlocked the gates and opened training camp. Wherever Bill Belichek happens to be can reliably be declared a "Charisma Free Zone" but this kind of thing can set him off and begin what for him seems to be a recurring event, "The Interpersonal Death Spiral." Stay tuned.

The NFL announced it's all-decade team of the 90s. Not a lot of surprises here, but I disagree with naming Cris Carter as a WR instead of Michael Irvin. Also, I'm not sure that I would put Ronnie Lott on the second team if the guys ahead of him at safety are Steve Atwater and LeRoy Butler.

Good news for anyone who is going to Canton this weekend for the Hall of Fame induction - or who may plan to watch the exhibition game on TV. OJ Simpson said on the Today show that he will NOT be attending the ceremonies. Can you imagine the schedule pressures this guy faces now that he has signed on for this webchat in addition to his life's highest priority - finding the real killers. How does he find the time????

Monday night may be the biggest exhibition football game of all time since it will be the MNF debut of Dennis Miller. I actually enjoy exhibition football because I get to see players that I will never see again, and I plan to watch next Monday night to see how the new announcing team is blending.

The Orioles lost a tight game to the Yankees last night by the score of 19-1. Mike Hargrove said it was one of those nights where everything the Yankees hit found a hole. In case Mike did not notice, five of the "holes" that they found were in the bleachers and one of those five was a grand slam. This is the 18th time this year the Orioles have allowed double-digit runs. They were trying to showcase Scott Erickson as a possible trade commodity but Scott gave up 8 earned runs and 3 walks in his 4 inning nightmare last nite. His ERA this season is now 7.90; if that were the Richter Scale, there would be tens of thousands dead in Baltimore.

Finally, last night Randy Johnson gave up 5 runs and 5 hits while walking 7 and striking out 7. Maybe Randy needs to go to a racetrack somewhere soon and bet exactas of 5-7 and 7-5 on every race of the day.

But don't get me wrong, I love sports...