,,GAME ,,ON6
        ,H[ ,WOM5'S ,BASKETBALL
         ,TOOK ,S1TTLE ,0,/ORM

            ,,JAYDA ,,EVANS

       ,PUBLI%$ 0,SASQUAT* ,BOOKS
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
    ,COPY"R ^C #BJJF 0,JAYDA ,EVANS
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
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      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
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            & ,NAD9E ,BU/ON
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                 ,3T5TS             ;III
                                   ,PAGE
#G3 ,LAUR5 ,JACKSON """"""""""""""" #BBG
#H3 ,LATTES & ,LAYUPS3 ,H[>D
  ,S*ULTZ ,PUR*ASES ! ,/ORM """"""" #BFA
#I3 ,BETTY ,L5NOX """"""""""""""""" #BIA



















                                     ;IV
























             ,,*APT] ,,SEV5         #BBG
            ,LAUR5 ,JACKSON

  ,TE>S DRIPP$ ON ! GRE5 C>PET$ FLOOR4
,ON ! -PUT] SCRE5 7 IMAGES ( COLOR;L
FL[]S1 FAMILY S1T$ 9 PEWS1 &A B1UTI;LLY
ADORN$ CASKET4 ,Z ,/ORM T1MMATES /R1M$
96! TRA9+ FACIL;Y = PRACTICE 2F "O (!
BI7E/ GAMES ( _! ,,WNBA C>E]S1 P[] =W>D
,LAUR5 ,JACKSON SAT MO;N.S ON A CU%ION$
METAL *AIR 9 A MAKE%IFT CUBICLE WAT*+ H]
GR&"M'S FUN]AL VIA ! ,9T]NET4
  ,H] "F _H SET UP ! TE*NOLOGY1 FILM+ !
,OCTOB] #BJJD S]VICE 9 ,ALBURY1 ,AU/RA-
LIA4 ,! VIDEO 0 *OPPY AT "TS1 B X 0 !
ONLY ?+ KEEP+ ,JACKSON SANE4 ,NAN
,IR5E'S HOME 0 ": "Y ,JACKSON WD G ANY"T
H] P>5TS TRAVEL$ = _! RESPECTIVE BASKET-
BALL T1MS4 ,AT ! "T1 ,JACKSON BICK]$ TOO
M* ) BRO!R ,ROSS1 :O 0 #AD MON?S "Y]1 &
!Y _H 6BE SEP>AT$4 ,HE W5T 6,SYDNEY 6/AY
) _! "F'S P>5TS1 & ,LAUR5 /AY$ ) H] MA-
T]NAL GR&"M4
  ,NAN ,IR5E1 A S1M/RESS1 _H MADE ALL (
,JACKSON'S CLO?+ & PRACTIC,Y RAIS$ H] Z
,JACKSON'S "M ,M>EE ROSE 6BASKET-   #BBH
BALL A3LAIM1 PLAY+ =! C.TRY'S N,NAL T1M
F #AIGD-HB4 ,N[ ,ROSS1 A H&"S #F-FOOT-#H
"Y MAN1 0 /&+ RECIT+ 8 SI/]'S LA/ PUBLIC
^WS 6_! GR&"M1 A SWEET POEM WRITT5 9 !
MID/ (! ,/ORM W9N+ _! F/ PLAY(F S]IES
AG/ ! ,M9NESOTA ,LYNX4 ,!N ! SOMB] LYR-
ICS ( ,BRITI% MUSICIAN ,RO2IE ,WIL-
LIAMS'S EMO;NAL TRACKS 8,ANGEL0 &
8,NAN'S ,S;G0 FL[$ "? ! SP1K]S4
  ,JACKSON FELT GUILTY = N 2+ "! P]SON-
,Y1 ESPECI,Y = H] "M4 ,M>EE1 :O /&S #F-
FOOT-#A1 _H QUIT H] JOB MANAG+ A MILL 9
#BJJA 6BE ON CALL = H] ONLY DAU<T]4 ,)A
SIMPLE EM]G5CY PH"O CALL1 ,JACKSON CD
5LI/ H] DAD 6HELP SWEET-TALK ,M>EE 96AN
#AH-H\R FLI<T 6BE ) H]4 ,H] >RIVAL ALW
SPIK$ ,LAUR5'S _SS4 ,%E'D ANN\NCE C.T-
D[NS 6H] "M'S >RIVAL 6ANY"O :O'D LI/54
,ONCE ,M>EE >RIV$1 ! TWO WD CLASP H&S Z
!Y WALK$ OR SAT1 TALK+ = H\RS AB ,LAU-
R5'S LIFE1 BASKETBALL1 OR POLITICS4
  ,M>EE DIDN'T ASK ! SAME ( ,LAUR54 ,%E1
AL;G )! RE/ (! FAMILY1 "U/OOD :5 ,JACK-
SON WANT$ 6RETURN 6,S1TTLE AF !
,OLYMPICS1 N FULLY GRASP+ ! GRAV-   #BBI
;Y ( H] GR&"M'S H1L?4 ,! _S$ ELD]LY WOM-
AN _H LOV$ 6WAT* ,JACKSON PLAY BASKET-
BALL1 LA/ SEE+ H] W9 A SILV] M$AL AT !
,SYDNEY ,OLYMPIC ,GAMES 9 #BJJJ1 %$D+
TE>S 9 ! /&S4 ,& NO "O WANT$ ,LAUR5 TO
MISS ? OPPORTUN;Y--6W9 A ,,WNBA *AMPION-
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GOALS ) E TE> %$ :ILE WAT*+ ! FUN]AL4
  8,I 0 NUMB10 ,JACKSEN SD4 8,I DON'T
?9K ,I'VE "E FELT L T 9 MY LIFE4 ,I H
N"E G"O "? ANY?+ Z H>D Z T 9 MY LIFE4 ,X
0 DI6ICULT N HAV+ MY "M ) ME4 ,X 0 RE,Y1
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MUM40
  ,AF VIEW+ ! C]EMONY1 ,JACKSON -POS$
H]F & JO9$ H] T1MMATES ON ! C\RT4 ,!Y 7
4TANT1 N"O "K+ EXACTLY H[ 6APPROA* H]4
,JACKSON1 !N #BC1 0 ! SILLY "O1 ALW R1DY
6"PY OR LAU<4 ,TRY 6GET MU%Y )A S5TI;TAL
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GI7L+ 2C %E 0 UNSURE H[ 6RESPOND4 ,TE>S1
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  ,2C ( NEWSPAP] >TICLES1 TELEVI.N
SEG;TS1 RADIO 9T]VIEWS F /,NS       #BCJ
BACK HOME1 & ,JACKSON'S OP5;S1 "EY"O
KNEW AB H] SITU,N4 ,/ORM FANS WROTE ?"\-
;L MESSAGES ON ,9T]NET SITES1 & B\QUETS
( FRAGRANT FL[]S 7 %IPP$ 6! T1M'S TRA9+
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( "T1 X 0 RE,Y A *ALL5GE = H]40

  ,JACKSON 5T]$ ! L1GUE 9 #BJJA4 ,!
,/ORM'S DOOR PRIZE =A BRUTAL TUM# "? XS
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! E>LY BUZZ 0 T ! ,AU/RALIAN PO/ 0 3SID-
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N"E ?R[ A GAME 6SECURE A PICK1 WD %E8
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F\R EXPAN.N T1MS4 ,MIAMI 0 #AC-AI1
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LET'S SAY !Y W9 #AJ & WE W9 N9E1 ! DI6]-
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_H ,OLYMPIC EXP]I;E Z ! L1D+ SCOR] (!
,OPALS1 H] C.TRY'S N,NAL T1M1 MAK+ H]
ELIGI# 65T] ! ,,WNBA DRAFT4 ,A4+ 6H] CA-
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! GOLD M$AL MAT* ) ,T1M ,,USA1 ": ,JACK-
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    SON LAYS 9 ! BASKETBALL AG/ ,3NECTI-
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L1N /ATURE1 CAPTUR$ GLOB,Y 9 NUM]\S MOD-
EL+ %OOTS1 & H] VICI\S ATTITUDE ON !
C\RT _H MADE H] AN IDOL 6,JACKSON Z AN
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/RET* ,LESLIE MADE 9 ! PA9T1 A4+ !
TRICKS (! ,,WNBA F/-T1M] 6! F.D,N ( TAL-
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  ,9 ! ,OLYMPIC ,GAMES1 ?\<1 ,JACKSON J
WANT$ 6B1T ,LESLIE4 ,JACKSON'S MELL[
BLUE EYES FLICK$ ) AN AURA ( BLAZ+ FIRE
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%E TRI$ 6W H] T1M 6! C.TRY'S F/ GOLD M$-
AL4 ,H] SKILL ERUPT$ ON ! C\RT1 B 0!
SECOND HALF1 ! MAT*UP WASN'T -PETITIVE1
)! ,AUSSIES D[N NE>LY #BJ PO9TS4 ,/1 "!
0 ! -$IC MO;T :5 ,JACKSON TANGL$ H] BODY
) ,LESLIE'S Z !Y POSI;N$ !MVS =A REB.D4
,JACKSON'S ?ICK F+]S DUG DEEP 9 ,LES-
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L&$ ) :AT %E CALL$ A 8D1D RAT 9 MY H&40
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FLUNG X 6! C\RT & YELP$4 ,LESLIE    #BCC
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8,WE 7 LAU<+ 9 ! HU4LE AB X40
  ,AF A "T-\ Z ! CR[D ERUPT$1 ,T1M ,,USA
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CALL+ ,JACKSON A 8PUNK0 & TELL+ ! F/-"T
,OLYMPIAN TO 8WAT* \60
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WON'T H ANY FRS = SURE10'0 ,JACKSON SD )
9NOC;E4 8,!Y ALL HAT$ ME60
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#AIGG-GH4 ,%E 0 ! F/ F H] C.TRY 6E>N A
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MID REGION1 AN ABNORMAL SI<T = H]4 ,%E 0
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8,LADY ,MAGIC0 ) H] R$ HAIR AT ,OLD ,DO-
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8,BLAZE0 = LI<T+ X UP 9 NUM]\S #DJ-PO9T
GAMES AT ,MONTCLAIR ,/ATE4 ,& ,ANN ,MEY-
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,,UCLA4
  ,TRAVEL+ 6,AM]ICA LAT] Z A NEWLYW$ TO
HUSB& ,G>Y1 :OM %E _H MET :5 BO? PLAY$
=! ,AU/RALIAN N,NAL T1M1 MADE ,M>EE 3FI-
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TAKE C>E ( H]4
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L1V+ H] NATIVE C.TRY = FIVE MON?S4 ,!
M$IA DEEM$ ! ,,WNBA 8,LESLIE'S ,L1GUE40
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*ALL5GE ,LESLIE'S REIGN1 SU6]$ BACK-TO-
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H] F CORRALL+ H] COLLEGE POPUL>;Y 6BOO/
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A MIS]A# #AIIF ,OLYMPICS & R1*+ ! ,,WNBA
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PLAY] ! M$IA PREDICT$4 ,) ,LOBO /RU7L+ &
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BU4+ SU3ESS4 ,%E MADE GUE/ APPE>.ES ON
TELEVI.N %[S1 0 US$ 0! L1GUE Z A SPOKES-
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  ,2+ DRAFT$ 0! ,,WNBA 0 ! ONLY WAY
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TOPPLE ! PRIZ$ C5T] & 2COME 9T]N,N,Y "KN
Z ! BE/ PLAY] 9 ! GAME4
  8,X'S GRT BASKETBALL2 X'S ! BE/ BAS-
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PLAY4 ,X'S 4APPO9T+ F A P>5TAL PO9T (
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TWO OR ?REE MON?S & MAK+ A LOT1 LOT M
M"OY ?AN :AT %E C E>N 9 ! ,,WNBA4 ,B Z
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,PLUS1 H] "M MISS$ AN OPPORTUN;Y 6PLAY 9
! ,OLYMPIC ,GAMES AF H] T1M DID N QUALI-
FY 9 #AIHJ4 ,9/1D1 %E 2CAME PREGNANT )
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#AD MON?S LAT] 0 BACK 9 ! DELIV]Y ROOM
6GIVE BIR? 6SON ,ROSS4 ,M>EE ,JACKSON
MET A GOAL ( MAK+ X BACK 6! C\RT 6PLAY
#AJ WEEKS LAT]1 RIS+ AT #E AM = PRACTIC-
ES1 RETURN+ HOME =A QK BR1KFA/1 JETT+ TO
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RO/] 9 #AIHD ) TWO SMALL *N4 ,H] LIFE 0
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_H YE>S 2F1 SKIPP+ 8 *.E 6PLAY 9 ! #AIHJ
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,RUSSIAN 9VA.N ( ,AF<ANI/AN WD OP5 A
SPOT =! ,AUSSIES1 DEPRES.N CREPT 9 AB
:AT CD H BE54
  8,X 0 A V TE>;L MO;T 9 ! ,JACKSON
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"M'S T1MMATES AFW4 ,SICK )! 2G9N+S (
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PRACTICE4 ,H1L?Y & FULL ( 5]GY MO/ "DS1
& WANT+ 6JO9 ! OLD] PLAY]S1 %E'D DRIVE
COA*ES BATTY4
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C\RT60 %E REMEMB]S HE>+ Z A LANKY "Y/]4
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DEM&4
  8,EV5 Z A KID1 ,I J CDN'T GET (F !
C\RT10 %E SD4
  ,TYPICAL TR\BL+ TE5 YE>S 5SU$     #BCH
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DRESS+ L MUSIC IDOL ,M>ILYN ,MANSON TO
FR1K \ P AT ! LOCAL PUB4 ,DR9K+ & 2+ :AT
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D]$ :5 %E'D DEVELOP A MID-RANGE JUMP
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BALL40
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#BJJE1 MAK+ 4#D.C MILLION 8 F/ S1SON4 ,B
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( "W4 ,LAUR5 _H 6MAKE A LIV+1 TOO4 ,AL?
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PA9TS COLOR;L L&SCAPES1 & IS AN EXCELL5T
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"M SQU1LS ON ! FAMILY BOAT1 !N TURN+ !
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ICA4 ,?\< %E C>RI$ ! MONIK] ( 8PROFES.N-
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_! S*$ULES ONLY ALL[$ = WEEK5D GAMES4
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  ,ASIDE F ! ,OLYMPICS1 ,S1TTLE FANS F/
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,ACK]MAN Z ! L1GUE'S ?IRD 9T]N,NAL PLAY]
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J1NS1 & HOLD+ H] NEW GRE5-&-GOLD    #BDJ
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A HOTEL BA?ROOM ! NI<T 2F4 ,H] "M _H
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=! F/ "T4
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,B ! LU%1 COSMOPOLITAN C;Y 0 J #ABA
MILES F H] P>5T'S HOME 9 ,ALBURY4 ,S1T-
TLE1 H["E1 0 A _W ,JACKSON CDN'T EV5
IMAG9E ON DRAFT "D4 ,& IF X 0 ANY?+ L
,NEW ,YORK1 ) XS HONK+ YELL[ CABS1 M/Y
AIR1 & ABRASIVE P1 ,JACKSON WASN'T GO+
6REPORT 6TRA9+ CAMP4 ,H] SPECIFIC;Y AB
LOC,N & PAY L$ 6,JACKSON'S AG5T TAK+
FIVE MON?S 6NEGOTIATE H] ?REE-YE> CON-
TRACT1 WOR? 4#EE1JJJ ! F/ S1SON )\T 9C5-
TIVES4
  8,%E 0 J A BABY10 SD ,DUNN1 :O "Q$
:E!R ,JACKSON WD EV5 5T] ! DRAFT4   #BDA
,! SELF-PROCLAIM$ C.TRY GIRL :O'D WAT*
KANG>OOS GALLOP 9 H] FRONT Y>D 0 J />T+
6PROVE H]F ON ! BASKETBALL C\RT4 ,JACK-
SON WON TWO L1GUE TITLES )! ,CAPITALS1 0
A L1GUE L1D] 9 REB.DS 7#AD.C71 & %OT
?REE-PO9T]S L A %OOT+ GU>D4
  ,! BATTLE 2T ! GLOBAL TAL5TS1 ,JACKSON
& ,LESLIE1 0 AN 9/ANT M>KET+ SU3ESS =
,S1TTLE4 ,TAPES ( _! EXPLOITS GAVE ,DUNN
S _M GOOSE BUMPS %E SNU2$ H] NOSE AT PO-
T5TIAL DRAFT TRADE (F]S4 ,! FACT T ,S1T-
TLEITES ALR DESPIS$ ,CALI=NIANS1 T !Y
2LIEV$ ! TRANSPLANTS 7 TURN+ ! C;Y ) XS
SMALL-T[N FEEL 96A PLA/IC METROPOLIS
CLOAK$ 9 TRA6IC1 MADE ! ,/ORM GAMES AG/
! ,LOS ,ANGELES ,SP>KS EV5 M FUN4 ,!
,/ORM 0 9 XS SECOND YE>4 ,/1 ! 8,B1T
,L4,A460 *ANTS 7 Z PAS.NATE Z ,M>9]S
FANS' 4GU/ =! ,NEW ,YORK ,YANKEES4 ,SEA-
HAWKS' 4TA/E (! ,/4 ,L\IS ,RAMS4 ,OR !
,SONICS' RIVALRY )! ,LAK]S4
  ,DUR+ ! 9AUGURAL #BJJJ S1SON1 ! ,/ORM
_H UPSET ! VET]AN ,SP>KS ONCE1 A #FI-EI
OV]"T VICTORY =! F/ W9 AT ,KEY,>5A4 ,B
DUR+ ,JACKSON'S #BJJA ROOKIE SEA-   #BDB
SON1 ! T1M _H TR\# F9I%+4 ,9 ! LATT]
HALF (! S1SON1 !Y PIEC$ TGR IMPRESSIVE
SCOR+ SPURTS AG/ ,LOS ,ANGELES 7#G-J71
,DETROIT 7#AE-B71 ,PHOENIX 7#AF-B71 ,H\-
/ON 7#G-C71 & ,UTAH 7#AH-B71 ONLY 6LOSE
E GAME1 EXCEPT =! #GD-FI OV]"T W9 OV]
,DETROIT4
  ,LESLIE WD GET ! BE/ ( ,JACKSON 9 TWO
( ?REE MAT*UPS )! ,SP>KS T SUMM] TOO4
,_! F/ REMAT* S9CE ! ,OLYMPICS 0 H1DL9$
8,! ,MANE ,EV5T0 9 ! .,S1TTLE .,"TS1
MAK+ ! GAME AN 9T]E/+ DRAW4 ,JACKSON EX-
PECT$ RETALI,N & REMA9$ 3SI/5T T ! HAIR
9CID5T 0 PURELY A3ID5TAL4 ,"S?+ ! ,SP>KS
DIDN'T 2LIEVE4 8,X WASN'T AN A3ID5T4 ,H[
>E Y GO+ 6BE ALL UP 9 "SBODY'S HAIR1
TRY+ 6GET A REB.D8 ,I ?"\ X 0 V IMMATURE
( H] 6D T1 &1 Y "K1 ?+S H A WAY ( -+
BACK >.D10 ,OLYMPIC & ,SP>KS =W>D ,DE-
,LI%A ,MILTON ,J"OS TOLD ! NEWSPAP]4
,LESLIE SCOR$ #AF ( H] F9AL #BB PO9TS 9
! F/ HALF (! #GC-FJ ROMP 9 ,JUNE4 ,JACK-
SON F9I%$ ) #AI & NO HAIRBALLS4 ,X 0 T\<
6DECIPH] : 0 ! DIRTY PLAY] Z ELB[S FLEW
&! P9KI% SK9 ( ,JACKSON'S >MS _H    #BDC
CAT SCRAT*ES4
  ,! ROOKIE WD \TSCORE H] NEMESIS #BF-BB
9 A #AI-PO9T ,AUGU/ ,/ORM LOSS1 B !
,AUSSIE 0 / ADJU/+ 6! ,AM]ICAN /YLE & H]
T1MMATES1 (T5 /&+ >.D ON DEF5SE ) H]
WRI/S LIMP L PUPPY PAWS AT H] WAI/4
,FLA%ES ( H] POT5TIAL %9$ 9 H] /EPP+
BACK = ?REE-PO9T]S (F A HI< SCRE5 &
DRIV+ "R AT ,LESLIE 6DRAW A F\L ON A
LAYUP4
  8,LAUR5 IS CRAZY10 SD T1MMATE ,*>M9
,SMI?1 :O ATT5D$ ! ,/ORM'S DRAFT-"D "PY
SET UP = FANS AT ! PRACTICE FACIL;Y TO
MAKE SURE ,DUNN PICK$ ! ,AU/RALIAN4
8,%E'S GOT ALL ? EMO;N & FIRE & ,LISA'S
GETT+ AF H] & ,LAUR5 IS R1DY 6G 6BL[S4
,%E DOESN'T EV5 C>E4 ,Y'VE GOT 6RESPECT
T40
  ,JACKSON SOLIDIFI$ H] FI]Y REPUT,N F\R
GAMES 96! S1SON 9 A #GJ-EG LOSS 6,MIAMI
0GETT+ A RECORD F\R TE*NICAL CALLS AG/
VET]AN =W>D ,%]I ,SAM1 F9I%+ ) #AD TE*S
T SUMM]4 ,%E M>K$ ! ORGANIZ,N'S F/ D\#-
D\# 9 SCOR+ 7#BD PO9TS7 & REB.DS 7#AB7 9
A RECORD F\R-OV]"T LOSS 6,WA%+TON   #BDD
9 ,JULY4 ,0S1SON'S 5D1 ,JACKSON L$ ALL
ROOKIES 9 SCOR+ 7#AE.B71 REB.D+ 7#F.G71
?REE-PO9T FIELD GOALS MADE 7#DJ71 /1LS
7#A.I71 & BLOCKS 7#B.B71 B ! T1M F9I%$
#AJ-BB4 ,%E 0 ATTRACT+ M$IA ATT5;N1 B !
,AM]ICAN SCRIBES AW>D$ ,PORTL& GU>D
,JACKIE ,/ILES ! ,ROOKIE (! ,YE> 0A VOTE
( #CB-BJ4 ,/ILES1 ^: ,FIRE T1M F9I%$ ON
A #AJ-GAME LOS+ /R1K1 CAPTUR$ ! N,N'S
HE>T 0L1D+ H] ,S\?WE/ ,MISS\RI ,/ATE T1M
6! ,F9AL ,F\R 9 ,APRIL4 ,! ,/ORM'S F9I%
0 N EXACTLY :AT _M EXPECT$ ) AN 9T]N,NAL
/> ON ! RO/]1 B X WD AG PAY (F4
  ,! ,,WNBA _H 9ITIAT$ A LOTT]Y SY/EM
SIMIL> 6! ,,NBA'S1 ": ALL (! T1MS T
DIDN'T ADV.E 6! PO/S1SON 7 GIV5 ,P+-,P;G
BALLS 6DET]M9E ! ORD] (! #BJJB DRAFT4 ,!
LA/-PLAC$ T1M RCVD ! MO/ BALLS1 M>K$ )
XS LOGO1 GIV+ X A HI<] P]C5TAGE *.E 6SE-
CURE ! ,NO4 #A PICK4 ,! LOTT]Y T1M )!
BE/ RECORD 0 GIV5 ! FEWE/ BALLS4 ,A LAW
FIRM 3DUCT$ ! DRAW+ T DET]M9$ ! ORD] (!
DRAFT4 ,! ,/ORM TI$ )! ,9DIANA ,FEV] &!
,WA%+TON ,MY/ICS =! L1GUE-WOR/ F9I%ES 9
A YE> F1TUR+ EI<T NON-PLAY(F        #BDE
T1MS4 ,MIRACUL\SLY ,S1TTLE WON ! LOTT]Y
AG4
  ,ACR ! C.TRY 0 ! N,N'S MO/ NOTA# PO9T
GU>D1 ,SUE ,BIRD1 9 ! ?ROES ( L1D+ H]
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,3NECTICUT T1M "? AN UNDE-
F1T$ S1SON 7#CI-J7 & ,,NCAA *AMPION%IP4
,BIRD'S COLLEGIATE RECORD 0 #ACF-I4 ,9
#AH ,/ORM APPE>.ES1 %E WD ECLIPSE ! TO-
TAL NUMB] ( LOSSES %E EXP]I;ED 9 F\R
YE>S AT ,U,CONN1 DESPITE MISS+ #BJ GAMES
H] FRE%MAN S1SON DUE 6A TORN ANT]IOR
CRUCIATE LIGA;T 9 H] LEFT KNEE4 ,DUNN
PLAY$ COY AG AB H] PICK1 REQUE/+ ! _W TO
TRADE =! TOP DRAW1 : 6,,WNBA G5]AL MAN-
AG]S BOIL$ D[N 6_! 5TIRE RO/]4 ,GRT
FRAN*ISES >E BUILT "? ! DRAFT1 & E T1M
NE$S A =MIDA# PO/ & PO9T GU>D 6SOLIDIFY
XS F.D,N4 ,DUNN KNEW %E'D 2 A# 6SECURE
BO? 9 BACK-TO-BACK DRAFTS4
  ,BIRD1 ^: DRAFT-"D /UDIO APPE>.E 0 "P
(A :IRLW9D PO/S1SON ( COLLECT+ N,NAL
AW>DS--F ! ,WADE TROPHY 6,NAISMI? ,PLAY]
(! ,YE>--SIGN$ A ?REE-YE> ROOKIE 3TRACT
WOR? 4#EG1EJJ ! F/ S1SON4 ,! PIVOTAL
*ANGE 0 IMM1 EV5 IF ,JACKSON        #BDF
DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ,BIRD :5 !Y F/ MET4
  ,BACK 9 ,AU/RALIA PLAY+ 9 H] ,,WNBL1
,JACKSON DIDN'T HE> M* AB ! ,AM]ICAN
COLLEGE GAME4 ,%E >RIV$ AB A WEEK 96!
#BJJB TRA9+ CAMP ) BLURRY EYES F ! #AH-
H\R FLI<T4 ,%E ?"\ ! #E-FOOT-#AA ,ADIA
,B>NES1 A FREE AG5T ) L;G CURLY HAIR &A
MIX$ H]ITAGE ( BLACK & :ITE1 0 ! NOTORI-
\S ,BIRD1 A #E-FOOT-#I NATIVE ,NEW
,YORK] ) DIMPL$ *EEKS & FAIR SK9 A35T$
0D>K BR[N HAIR4 ,!N ! PONYTAIL$ S5S,N
:ISK$ ! BALL 9SIDE ! PA9T AT A PANCAKE
BR1KFA/ PRACTICE SET UP = FANS AT ,LAKE
,WA%+TON ,HI< ,S*OOL1 LOCAT$ 9 ! >EA'S
A6LU5T ,EA/SIDE ACR ! #EBJ BRIDGE4
  8,OH4 .,T'S ,BIRD10 ,JACKSON MUM#D TO
H]F1 P]K+ UP AT ! IDEA ( PLAY+ ) "S"O :O
CD GET H] ! BALL4
  8,"!'S NO?+ L ?10 ,BIRD TOLD REPORT]S
(! PRESSURE ON H] & ,JACKSON :5 %E >-
RIV$4 8,I M1N1 WE'VE "KN EA* O!R = TWO
WEEKS & WE'RE EXPECT$ 6D ALL ( ^! GRT
?+S4 ,I'VE N"E BE5 9 T TYPE ( SITU,N40
  ,! TWO IMMLY _H 6BOND1 =M+ A PLAY;L
RIVALRY4 ,BIRD EMPHASIZ$ 6,JACK-    #BDG
SON T ! ,AU/RALIAN 0 "Y]1 EV5 ?\< ! #BA-
YE>-OLDS 7 ONLY SEP>AT$ 0SEV5 MON?S4 ,!Y
ALW _H 6B1T EA* O!R AT PRACTICE %OOT+
GAMES1 B ! EV5+S (T5 BR"\ A CALM MOOD :5
!Y HUNG \ AT ,JACKSON'S ,QUE5 ,ANNE 3DO-
M9IUM ) O!R T1MMATES4
  ,ON ! C\RT1 ! "Y DUO WON SEV5 (!
,/ORM'S F9AL N9E GAMES 6SN1K 96! PO/SEA-
SON BACK DOOR )A #AG-AE RECORD4 8,I
DON'T "K H[ WE WON1 B WE DID10 ,BIRD
TOLD ! .,S1TTLE .,"TS4 8WE 7 J 9CONSI/5T
(F5SIVELY4 ,"S NI<TS WE'D PLAY WELL TGR1
!N O!R NI<TS X 0 L1 ,8,:AT ! HECK IS GO+
ON80'0
  ,! ,SP>KS SWEPT !M #B-J 9 A ?REE-GAME
PLAY(F S]IES1 ! ,/ORM EXPOS$ Z ! 9EXP]I-
;ED FRAN*ISE X WAS4 ,AL? ! FRAN*ISE
PLAY]S JO9$ T1MMATES 9 LAU<+ AT ,DUNN'S
QUIRKY ANTICS--8,"S"TS Y'D /OP & SAY1
,8,WAIT1 DID %E J SAY T80'0 ,BIRD RE-
CALL$--! COA* CLA%$ ) H] />S AT "TS DUR+
! S1SON4 ,BIRD & ,JACKSON WD FEEL AN ON-
C\RT RHY?M1 ONLY 6H ,DUNN JOLT ! FL[ )A
"T-\ OR J]KY SUB/ITU;N )A SURR.D+ PLAY]4
,BIRD1 A DEV\T /UD5T (! GAME1 CD    #BDH
EV5 2 CAU<T DUR+ "T-\TS FI4L+ ) H] %OE-
LACES1 SUP]/ITI\S AB _! PLACE;T1 APPE>+
Z IF %E W]5'T LI/5+ 6,DUNN'S GAME PLAN4
,AT O!R "TS ! COA* & PLAY] DEBAT$ H[ A
POSSES.N CD H BE5 H&L$4
  ,"ND ,ALL-,/>S & F/-T1M ,,WNBA PLAY]S1
,JACKSON & ,BIRD W]5'T GO+ 6DEVELOP "U
,DUNN'S SY/EM AT ! SPE$ UPP] MANAGE;T
WANT$4 ,FANS />T$ CAMPAIGN+ =A *ANGE
MIDWAY "? ! S1SON :5 ! ,/ORM 0 #H-AJ4
,!Y CD "U/& N W9N+ ) J "O /> 9 ,JACKSON1
B :5 _! T1M _H "O (! L1GUE'S TOP GU>DS1
TOO8 ,UNA3EPTA#4
  ,MO/ 4REG>D$ T ,BIRD 0 A ROOKIE TOO4
,MAYBE 2C %E _H A BRA%1 W9N+ ATTITUDE T
/EMM$ F PLAY+ 9 A TOP COLLEGE PROGRAM4
,?REE (! TOP FIVE DRAFT PICKS 7 ,BIRD'S
=M] ,HUSKY T1MMATES4 ,B ,BIRD 0 SECOND 9
! L1GUE 9 ASSI/S 7#F.J7 & F/ 9 FREE-?R[
P]C5TAGE 7#IA.A74 ,%E SCOR$ A FRAN*ISE-
RECORD #CC PO9TS 9 AN #HC-GD W9 OV] !
,PORTL& ,FIRE & HELP$ ,JACKSON IMPROVE
H] %OOT+ A3URACY F #CF.G P]C5T 9 #BJJA
6#DJ.C 9 #BJJB1 AV]AG+ #AG.B PO9TS--F\R?
BE/ 9 ! #AF-T1M L1GUE4              #BDI
  8,X'S V CUT-?ROAT10 SD ,M>EE ,JACKSON
(! 9T5SE PRESSURE 9 ! ,,WNBA4 8,X'S L A
GAME ( *ESS ": PLAY]S >E MOV$ >.D & T1MS
D ALL ( ? /UFF 6BE ! BE/ T !Y C QKLY1 N
LOOK+ T[>D ! FUTURE4 ,"EY?+ IS = "R N[40

  ,HEMORRHAG+ AN AV]AGE ( 4#A MILLION 9
LOSSES EA* S1SON1 ! ORGANIZ,N WANT$ A
*AMPION%IP & 9/ANT PROGRESS1 N /1DY
GR[?4 ,DEP5D+ ON :O IS TELL+ ! /ORY1
,DUNN PICK$ ! 3CLU.N (! #BJJB S1SON TO
TAKE A SA2ATICAL4 ,OR %E 0 TOLD H] CON-
TRACT WASN'T GO+ 6BE RENEW$4 ,OR %E 0
TOLD %E WASN'T GO+ 6GET ! BIG M"OY %E 0
ASK+ = AF DO+ S M* =! ,/ORM4
  ,9 ANY CASE1 ! SETUP 9SIDE ! TRA9+ FA-
CIL;Y ON ,TUES"D1 ,SEPTEMB] #C1 #BJJB1 0
UNUSUAL4 ,AT MO/ PRESS 3F];ES "!'S A TA#
ATOP A MAKE%IFT /AGE )A FEW *AIRS1 A C\-
PLE ( MICROPH"OS1 & "S BOTTL$ WAT] =!
SP1K]S4 ,! ANN\NCE;T OR R1SON =! GA!R+
IS PROVID$ 2F A LOGO BACKDROP1 & "T IS
ALLOTT$ =A "Q-&-ANSW] SES.N4
  ,! >RANGE;T T "D1 H["E1 0 LESS /]ILE &
M P]SONAL1 L ! JOB _H BE5 = ,DUNN   #BEJ
! PA/ ?REE S1SONS4 ,9/1D ( R[S ( *AIRS
FAC+ A /AGE1 ! M$IA 0 GA!R$ 9 A SEMICIR-
CLE4 ,"! W]5'T ANY MICROPH"OS OR WAT] TO
SIP4 ,DUNN1 CASU,Y DRESS$1 WALK$ 96!
ROOM TUCK$ 9SIDE ! TRA9+ FACIL;Y )A FACE
ALR FLU%$4 ,%E _H OBVI\SLY BE5 CRY+ &1
2F H] SPEE* 0 D"O1 %E'D %$ A FEW M TE>S4
,L9 ,DUNN 0 RETIR+4 ,%E 0 ! ONLY COA* &
G5]AL MANAG] ! ,/ORM _H "KN1 B N[1 AT
AGE #EE1 %E 0 /RA9$ EMO;N,Y & PROFES.N-
,Y4 ,= ?REE YE>S %E _H :IZZ$ >.D ! /ATE
MAK+ APPE>.ES AT ,ROT>Y CLUB MEET+S &
HI< S*OOL ASSEMBLIES & ON TALK RADIO
%[S4 ,%E 0 DRA9$4
  ,ASIDE F H] /RESS1 FANS 7 TIR$ ( H]
AC;NS ON ! C\RT4 ,! 9TOXICAT+ S\!RN
DRAWL CDN'T SOO! FANS WAT*+ A T1M )
,ALL-,/>S ,SUE ,BIRD & ,LAUR5 ,JACKSON T
CDN'T MAKE M ( AN IMPACT 9 ! ,,WNBA4 ,OR
EXPLA9 :Y ,DUNN WD YANK PLAY]S >.D 9 H]
ROT,NS1 US+ AN AV]AGE ( #AC />T+ L9EUPS
Z ! T1M GREW 9 ?REE S1SONS4 ,%E /AT$ H]
"M'S H1L? & H] [N Z 3C]NS1 B RE,Y %E J
WANT$ "S ,DUNN "T4 8,"EYBODY SAYS1 ,8,:Y
QUIT N[80' & ,I SAY1 ,8,:Y N80'0    #BEA
,DUNN TOLD ! .,S1TTLE .,"TS AT ! PRESS
3F];E4 8,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ AB X =A L;G "T1
MAYBE EV5 2F ! ?IRD S1SON4 ,"!'S N "O
DEF9ITE MO;T4 ,X'S "T = ME 6TAKE "S "T =
MYF & SEE :AT MY NEXT /EP IS GO+ 6BE40
  ,DUNN _H -PIL$ A #CC-FC RECORD )!
,/ORM1 ! ONLY ORGANIZ,N %E LEFT )A LOS+
RECORD 9 #CA YE>S ( COA*+4 ,AF PICK+ UP
O!R T1MS' S-CALL$ SCRAPS "? ! EXPAN.N
DRAFT1 %E _H J TWO PLAY]S--C5T]S ,SIM"O
,$W>DS & ,KAMILA ,VODI*KOVA--F H] #BJJJ
RO/]4
  ,K>5 ,BRYANT1 :O WASN'T GO+ 6RENEW
,DUNN'S 3TRACT1 WA/$ NO "T PICK+ UP !
PH"O ) ANO!R %ORT LI/ ( REPLACE;TS =
,DUNN4 ,? "T ! HOT "N 0 CURR5T ,*>LOTTE
,/+ COA* ,ANNE ,DONOVAN4 ,BRYANT CALL$ !
,,WNBA1 :O H&L$ ! ,/+ ORGANIZ,N 9 A
BRIEF ABS;E ( [N]%IP1 6ASK IF ,DONOVAN 0
AVAILA# = 9T]VIEW+4 ,B ,BRYANT ALL[$
,BILLY ,MC,K9NEY1 ! T1M'S G5]AL MANAG]1
6H&LE ! 9T]VIEW4 ,HE A4$ =M] ,,NBA COA*
,MIKE ,?IBAULT 6! S]I\S LI/ ( C&IDATES4
,!Y 7 L;G"T FRS1 & ,?IBAULT _H FAMILY
ROOTS 9 ! ,PACIFIC ,NOR?WE/4        #BEB
,DONOVAN1 A ?REE-"T ,OLYMPIC C5T] :O _H
/>R$ AT ,OLD ,DOM9ION1 0 RELATIVELY UN-
PROV5 ON ! PROFES.NAL LEVEL4 ,%E _H
COA*$ ! ,9DIANA ,FEV] 6A #I-BC RECORD _!
9AUGURAL S1SON1 /&+ 9 = ,OLYMPIC COA*
,NELL ,=TN]1 & _H TURN$ A #A-AJ />T )!
,/+ 9 #BJJA 96A TRIP 6! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS4
,B %E _H ONLY ?REE &A HALF S1SONS ( PRO-
FES.NAL EXP]I;E1 IF Y C.T$ ! #AD GAMES
2F ! ,,ABL FOLD$4 ,%E 2GAN H] C>E] Z AN
ASSI/ANT COA* = H] ALMA MAT]1 !N L&$ A
H1D COA*+ GIG AT ,EA/ ,C>OL9A ,UNIV]S;Y1
-PIL+ A #CC-EA RECORD 9 ?REE S1SONS
7#AIIE-IH74
  ,:AT ,MC,K9NEY 0 IMPRESS$ )1 Z AN AFN
TALK+ AT 8 ,BELLEVUE HOME MORPH$ 96D9N]
AT ! ,PALISADES RE/AURANT OV]LOOK+ ,S1T-
TLE'S ,ELLIOTT ,BAY1 0 ,DONOVAN'S BAS-
KETBALL M9D4 ,%E _H IN-DEP? K (! T1M1 &
H] EXP]I;E Z A #F-FOOT-#H C5T] WD D WON-
D]S = ,JACKSON1 ,MC,K9NEY IMMLY ?"\4 ,ON
,DECEMB] #AH1 #BJJB1 %E 0 "ND ! FRAN-
*ISE'S SECOND COA*4
  8,MIKE IS A CLOSE FR1 B HE WD H BE5 !
SAFE PICK10 ,MC,K9NEY SD4 8,I       #BEC
WANT$ 6/EP \ (! BOX4 ,I FELT ! T1M NE$$
6G 9 AN ORIG9AL DIREC;N40
  ,BACK 9 ,AU/RALIA1 ,JACKSON RCVD !
NEWS VIA ;E-MAIL4 ,%E 0 /1DILY L1D+ !
,CAPITALS 6_! SECOND 3SECUTIVE *AMPION-
%IP1 B PLAY+ YE>-R.D S9CE AGE #AF & N
RE,Y TAK+ C>E ( H]F ) LATE NI<TS & S* 0
2G9N+ 6WE> ON H] "Y FRAME4 ,%9 SPL9TS
PREV5T$ H] F PRACTIC+1 S %E ONLY PLAY$
ON WEEK5DS4 ,%E / WON ! L1GUE'S ,MO/
,VALUA# ,PLAY] HONORS1 AV]AG+ #BG.F
PO9TS & #AA.B REB.DS4 ,%E WDN'T REPORT
6H] F/ TRA9+ CAMP "U ,DONOVAN UNTIL ,MAY
#F1 H["E1 BR1K+ = TWO MON?S AT H] B1*
HOME ) H] P>5TS4
  ,JACKSON 0 SORT ( 9TIMIDAT$ AT H] F/
MEET+ ) ,DONOVAN4 ,B 9 TYPICAL FA%ION1
,DONOVAN QKLY MADE ! P[] =W>D FEEL AT
EASE4 ,DONOVAN _H BE5 T1S$ Z A Y\? = H]
HEI<T1 L ,JACKSON1 *OOS+ 6SCURRY AWAY F
! PUBLIC EYE ) H] OLD] SI/] R ?AN FACE
OGL+ PE]S4 ,JACKSON _H :ITEWA%$ H] FACE
& US$ X Z AN >TI/IC PALETTE1 OR DY$ H]
HAIR FUNNY COLORS1 CR1T+ A H>D5$ EXT]IOR
T HID ! PA9 ( UNWILL+LY /&+ \4 ,=   #BED
BO?1 BASKETBALL _H BE5 A REFUGE4
  ,IMMLY AF ,JACKSON PASS$ H] PHYSICAL1
%E W5T "? PRIVATE DRILLS ) ,DONOVAN1 A
RITUAL !Y'D 3T9UE UNTIL ,DONOVAN TOLD
,JACKSON 6G HOME "S NI<TS1 2LIEV+ RE/ 0
! BE/ LESSON (! "D4
  ,JACKSON BLOSSOM$ "U ,DONOVAN'S TUTE-
LAGE1 )! COA* 3/ANTLY TELL+ ! PLAY] H[
GD %E CD 2 & %[+ H] MOVES T CD BETT] RI-
VAL ,LESLIE4 ,JACKSON 0 ! L1GUE L1D] 9
SCOR+ 7#BA.B71 2COM+ ! "YE/ PLAY] 9
,,WNBA HI/ORY 6R1* #A1JJJ PO9TS4 ,ON A
RO/] ) TWO O!R ,AUSSIES 9 GU>DS ,S&Y
,BRONDELLO F ,QUE5SL& & ,TULLY ,BEVILA-
QUA F ,WE/]N ,AU/RALIA1 &)! ,OLYMPICS ON
! HORIZON1 ,JACKSON 0 "ND ,,MVP (!
,,WNBA4 ,%E 0 ! F/ 9T]N,NAL PLAY] 6W9 !
HONOR1 B Z %E WAV$ F ! BLACK ,*EVROLET
,TRAILBLAZ] GIV5 6! AW>D W9N]1 ,JACK-
SON'S SMILE WASN'T T+$ ) XS USUAL GI4I-
;S4
  ,! PRES5T,N 0 AT ! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS 9
,DETROIT1 & ,JACKSON'S ,/ORM 0 N "P (
PO/S1SON PLAY1 F9I%+ )A FRAN*ISE-RECORD
#AH-AF1 B LOS+ A TIEBR1K] 6,M9NE-   #BEE
SOTA =! F\R? & F9AL PLAY(F SPOT 9 !
,WE/]N ,3F];E4 ,! ,LYNX1 ) ,OLYMPIAN
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SPECIAL EDI;N (! ,AU/RALIAN PUBLIC,N
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PR\D T X'S MY ADOPT$ HOME4 ,X'S ! ONLY
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LIA40












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