,,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
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #A-EGJFA-DGG-F

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
      ,LAURA ,COX1 ,%>ON VON ,SEE1
            & ,BE? ,MC,GU69
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #D
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #CAE-DBD
          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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                 #BJJH
       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$     ;II
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C COPY"R SYMBOL
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                 ,3T5TS             ;III
                                   ,PAGE
#AJ3 ,T ,*AMPION%IP ,S1SON """""""" #CAE
#AA3 ,HOOP9' =A ,FUTURE """"""""""" #CHE

,EPILOGUE """"""""""""""""""""""""" #DJC
,AC"KL$G;TS """"""""""""""""""""""" #DBA


















                                     ;IV
























              ,,*APT] ,,T5          #CAE
         ,T ,*AMPION%IP ,S1SON

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9 A /ALE GYM1 ) RACKS ( FRE%LY PUMP$
BASKETBALLS AL;G ! BASEL9E (A NEWLY WAX$
C\RT DOTT$ ) HOOPS M1SUR$ PRECISELY4
,FA9T MEMORIES ( S1SONS PA/ DRIFT "? Z !
S.D ( LI<T BULBS W>M+ 6_! B"R;S BUZZ
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0 NO FUN40
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CEK & TRA9] ,ANNM>IE ,H5KEL 6G ON A QK
RUN :ILE W>M+ _! RA9-SOAK$ B"OS "U !
,CALI=NIA SUNRAYS4
  ,! PO9T (! TRIP IS ! GAME4 ,& 9 ,SAC-
RA;TO1 T'S ALW BE5 A PO9T ( FRU/R,N4 ,!
,/ORM _H LO/ SEV5 3SECUTIVE GAMES AT ,>-
CO ,>5A1 AN O4LY PLAC$ FACIL;Y J \TSIDE
( D[NT[N4 ,! ,MON>*S1 "O (! EI<T ,,WNBA
*>T] T1MS1 SEEM$ 65JOY REM9D+ ! ,/ORM X
/ _HN'T FULLY KICK$ (F XS 8EXPAN.N FRAN-
*ISE0 DRESS4
  ,/ORM NEWCOM]S L ,L5NOX & ,SAM    #CBI
DIDN'T "PICUL>LY C>E AB _! NEW T1M'S PA/
OR ROAD CURSE1 H["E4 ,!Y 7 SU3ESS;L
PLAY]S :O 7 GO+ 6F9I% _! C>E]S ON TOP1 &
? 0 ! T1M T 0 GO+ 6TAKE !M "!4
  8,I REMEMB] R1D+ "S ( ,7,L5NOX'S7'
QUOTES E>LY ON & ,7%E WAS7' L1 ,8,Y1H1
,I "K ? IS ,SUE & ,LAUR5'S T1M & ,I'M J
"H 6HELP 9 ANY WAY ,I C10'0 ,BIRD SD4
8,T DEF9ITELY D[NPLAYS H[ IMPORTANT %E
IS4 ,%E J HITS BIG %OTS4 ,:5 %E 0 DRAFT-
$1 ,I ?"\1 ,8,?ANK ,GOD1 ,I N"E H 6GU>D
T GIRL AG10' Y "K8 ,%E'S _H A LL BIT (A
T\< C>E] 2F %E GOT 6,S1TTLE1 2+ B\NC$
>.D & E T1M %E 5D$ UP ON 5D$ UP FOLD+4
,X'S H>D 2C "P ( 2+ A# 6PLAY 6YR FULL
POT5TIAL IS 2+ -=TA#4 ,REG>D.S1 ?\<1
%E'S RE,Y H>D 6GU>D & C SCORE OV] ANY-
BODY4 ,X'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE :5 Y SEE
X40
  ,! ,/ORM NE$$ OOMPH--ESPECI,Y ON !
ROAD4 ,JACKSON 0 C&ID )A T+E ( DUPLIC;Y4
,%E'D CRACK ON H[ H] BODY FELT L %E 0
#DB & T1SE T AF FIVE YE>S 9 ! L1GUE1 %E
0 / N M* OLD] ?AN ! COLLEGE ROOKIES ON
H] T1M1 :O 7 #BB4 ,! #BD-YE>-OLD    #CCJ
,AUSSIE _H NO PRO#M GETT+ 9 H] T1MMATES'
FACES 6TELL !M 6GET 9 GE> OR GET H] !
BALL 2C %E'S FEEL+ T PLAY]'S Z"O ": !
BASKET IS ! SIZE (A WAD+ POOL4 ,B AT "TS
H] HUMIL;Y QUELL$ H] W4 ,JACKSON1 Z ! />
"EY"O LOOK$ TO1 NE$$ "S"O 6%[ H] H[ 6BR+
T L1D]%IP 6! T1M4 ,L5NOX & ,SAM 7 P]FECT
C&IDATES4
      ,PICTURE3 ,PLAY]S GA!R 9 A PREGAME
    HU4LE1 ": ,SUE ,BIRD (T5 DOES A
    FREE/YLE RAP 6PUMP UP ! T1M4
  ,L5NOX1 ! #E-FOOT-#H GU>D :O'S RE,Y
CLOS] 6#E-FOOT-#E SANS ,NIKES1 OOZ$ AT-
TITUDE )A GR[L+ A35T ON H] FACE4 ,X 0 A
DEF5SE ME*ANISM F YE>S ( PLAY+ ) BOYS &
D1L+ ) COA*ES :O DIDN'T "U/& H] PLAYGR.D
/YLE4 ,L5NOX 0 T5ACI\S4 ,:5 %E W5T 6"W
ON ! C\RT GUYS 9 ! /&S WD SAY1 PRACTIC,Y
9 UNISON1 8,N[ .T'S A BALL]10 AF A LOOK
AT H] JUMP %OT4
  ,B X 0 ,SAM1 A #F-FOOT =W>D1 :O 0 A#
6RELATE T /R;G-WILL$ ATTITUDE 6,JACKSON4
,ONLY ,SAM1 !N #CJ1 EXUD$ A ,RA/A COOL-
;S1 ) DR1DLOCKS &A ,BOB ,M>LEY TATTOO4
,H] SOCKS PULL$ HI< &A H1DB& MADE   #CCA
H] LOOK L A FLA%BACK PLAY]1 B H] GAME 0
MOD]N--EXUD+ ! EXPECT$ SMALL =W>D'S ROLE
6MAKE 3TRIBU;NS ON DEF5SE & (F5SE4 ,%E'D
PUT ,JACKSON 9 H] PLACE IF NE$$1 B %E AL
HELP$ ! ,AUSSIE 2COME A L1D]1 M* L =M]
GU>D ,SONJA ,H5N+ _H HELP$ ,JACKSON LE>N
:5 %E F/ 5T]$ ! L1GUE 9 #BJJA4
  8,I H 6REM9D H] :O'S OLD] "S"TS10 ,SAM
SD4
  ,NEI ,L5NOX NOR ,SAM LIK$ 6LOSE4 ,UN-
LIKE ,JACKSON1 :O _H A T5D5CY 6TURN BIT-
T] 9 H] Y\? IF ! OPPOSI;N PULL$ AWAY
PO9T-WISE1 ! VET]ANS F"\ NA/I;S ) A7RES-
SIVE;S4 ,! ,/ORM 2GAN 6"U/& ? TRICK 9
,SACRA;TO4
  ,%OOT>.D 0 XS USUAL LIVELY A6AIR T
3CLUD$ )! PLAY]S TAK+ HALF-C\RT %OTS =
#EJ BUCKS ( COA* ,ANNE ,DONOVAN'S M"OY4
,NO "O MADE ! %OT1 B ,SAM 0 DET]M9$4
8,SAVE X UP =! GAME10 ,DONOVAN %\T$ 6H]
/>T]4 ,SAM FLUNG UP "O M ATTEMPT1 !N
H1D$ 6! BUS4 ,9 ! GAME ,SAM SCOR$ N9E
PO9TS & ,S1TTLE BUILT A #CB-AA L1D4 ,!
,MON>*S DON'T BACK D[N T EASILY1 ?\<4
,SACRA;TO />T$ ?REE PLAY]S :O >E    #CCB
#F-FOOT-#D & _H ! FLA%IE/ PO9T GU>D 9 !
L1GUE 9 ,TI*A ,P5I*EIRO1 ! ,,WNBA'S C>E]
L1D] 9 ASSI/S 7#A1EIA74 ,) #A.D SECONDS
REMA9+1 ! SCORE 0 TI$ AT #FC PO9TS1 &!
CR[D ( #G1JID 0 SCR1M+ ) N]V\S EXCITE;T4
,S1TTLE 0 ON A N9E-GAME ROAD LOS+ /R1K1
DAT+ BACK 6AN UGLY N,N,Y TELEVIS$ LOSS 9
,DETROIT ON ,JULY #AH1 #BJJC4 ,PLUS1 !
,/ORM 0 ! LA/ (! #AC T1MS 6COLLECT A
ROAD W9 T SUMM]4
  ,! FATE (! S1SON SEEM$ 6BE BALL$ UP 9
,L5NOX'S PALM Z %E DROVE 6! BASKET1
/OPP$1 & FLUNG AN AWKW>D %OT1 L1P+ (F H]
BACK FOOT OV] ! \T/RET*$ #F-FOOT-#D BODY
( ,SACRA;TO =W>D ,DE,MYA ,WALK]4 ,! BAS-
KETBALL DROPP$ "? ! HOOP1 & ,L5NOX TIPP$
H] H1D BACK 6RO> AT ! UPP] RAFT]S4 ,AF
,SACRA;TO C5T] ,YOL&A ,GRI6I?'S ATTEMPT
RIMM$ \ (! BASKET1 ,S1TTLE1 /1L+ A #FE-
#FC VICTORY1 CELEBRAT$ XS NEW ROAD-W9N+
ATTITUDE4 ,! MOXIE 3T9U$ ) 3V9C+ W9S 9
,NEW ,YORK1 ": ! ,/ORM EMB>RASS$ ! ,LIB-
]TY #HF-FB ON _! FAM$ ,MADISON ,SQU>E
,G>D5 C\RT1 PROCLAIM+ !MVS A DEF5SIVE
=CE1 & 9 ,H\/ON1 ": !Y B1T ! F\R-   #CCC
"T *AMPION ,-ETS #FI-FC4 ,0! "T ! ,/ORM
DEF1T$ ,SAN ,ANTONIO #GD-FA AT ! ,,SBC
,C5T]1 ,S1TTLE _H PIEC$ TGR A FRAN*ISE-
RECORD SIX-GAME W9 /R1K & WON =! F/ "T 9
F\R DI6]5T >5AS4 ,! ,/ORM _H ! ,,WNBA'S
BE/ RECORD AT #H-B1 ! T1M'S BE/ />T 9
FRAN*ISE HI/ORY4

  ,! DELI<T$ ATMOSPH]E EXT5D$ AWAY F !
TRA9+ FACIL;Y & ,KEY,>5A4 ,A TAD CLIQU-
I%1 ! ,/ORM _H =M$ DEEP-ROOT$ BONDS (
FR%IP4 ,CO-CAPTA9S ,JACKSON & ,BIRD1 "KN
6"EY"O Z ,,LJ & ,BIRDY1 2CAME CLOS] Z !
S1SON PROGRESS$1 AL;G ) ,BEVILAQUA1
,B>NES1 ,SAM1 & ,ALICIA ,?OMPSON1 :O 0
DU2$ ,*ELLE4
  ,:5 ,,LJ TRAD$ H] ,,MVP,'-PRIZE ,,SUV
=A SPORTY SILV] ,JEEP1 ,BIRDY 0 ! F/ TO
GET A CALL AB ! NEW RIDE4 8,!Y'RE S COM-
PETITIVE ) EA* O!R1 X'S FUNNY10 SD
,B>NES T S1SON4 ,"O (! M HUMOR\S "TS TO
WIT;S ! PAIR 0 AT ! 5D ( PRACTICE1 :5
,DONOVAN _H EA* PICK T1MS =A %OOT+
DRILL/COMPETI;N4 ,! 9T5S;Y 0 Z BIG Z
,GAME #C 9 ! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS Z !Y     #CCD
TRI$ 6GET T1MMATES 6MAKE %OTS 6B1T EA*
O!R4 ,:O"E WON GOT 6PICK ! PUNI%;T1
,JACKSON (T5 GO+ =! ?ROAT ) PU%-UPS OR
RUNN+4 ,BIRD (T5 PICK$ JUMP+ JACKS1 N
WANT+ T1MMATES 6HATE H]4
  ,! DUO SAT 2H EA* O!R ON BUS RIDES 6&
F ROAD PRACTICES OR GAMES1 3/ANTLY TEXT-
MESSAG+ ! O!R ON _! CELL PH"OS4 ,! ONLY
?+ !Y CDN'T %>E 0 _! I,PODS1 ,BIRDY PRE-
F]R+ ! RAPP+ B1TS ( H] ,EA/ ,COA/ ROOTS1
& ,,LJ LI/5+ 6"EY?+ B4
  8,I D L ,U%] 2C ( H]10 SD ,JACKSON (!
T\* ( HIP-HOP FLAVOR %E GREW 6APPRECI-
ATE4 ,O!RWISE X 0 ,BASE;T ,JAXX & ,N9E
,9* ,NAILS ?UMP+ 9 H] E>S4
  ,BASKETBALL DEF9ITELY OP5$ UP ! REL,N-
%IP4 ,ALL ,BIRD CD ?9K AB PRIOR 6>RIV+ 9
,S1TTLE :5 DRAFT$ 9 #BJJB 0 H[ ,HAWAII 0
! ONLY ?+ F>!R F H] ,NEW ,YORK HOME 9 !
QUA9T ,L;G ,ISL& SUBURB ( ,SYOSSET4 ,%E
GREW UP 9 A ,NORMAN ,ROCKWELL PA9T+1 ":
/REETS "ND AF FL[]S DEPICT$ ! SAME B1U-
TY4 ,H] "M1 ,NANCY1 / [N$ ! *ILDHOOD
HOME ": ,BIRD WD PLAY BASKETBALL AT !
NEI<BORHOOD P>K & WALK 6ELE;T>Y     #CCE
S*OOL ) H] OLD] SI/]4 ,C9NAMON TOA/ &
HOT *OCOLATE AWAIT$ ! NEI<BORHOOD KIDS
^U RETURN AT ! 5D ( SN[Y "DS1 A REFRE%+
ABVGR.D POOL & LEMONADE 9 ! /ICKY SUM-
M]S4
  ,! PA9T+ ALT]$ Z ,BIRD 5T]$ HI< S*OOL1
H] P>5TS DIVORC$1 & %E />T$ GRA2+ M
PRESS Z A HI<LY A3LAIM$ PO9T GU>D4 ,!
/>T+ FIVE F H] ,,AAU T1M RCVD ,DIVI.N ,I
S*OL>%IPS1 ,BIRD *OOS+ ! ,U,CONN ,HUSK-
IES1 ": %E WON TWO N,NAL TITLES4 ,! HOME
2CAME A MUSEUM1 ) ,BIRD'S B$ROOM CLUTT]$
) TROPHIES1 ! LIV+ ROOM FULL ( PHOTOS (!
DAU<T]S ) PRESID5TS 7,BIRD'S SI/]1 ,J5-
NIF]1 9T]N$ ON ,CAPITOL ,HILL71 &! BASE-
;T WALLS ADORN$ ) PLAQUES & FRAM$ NEWS-
PAP] >TICLES4
  ,RELOCAT+ 6,S1TTLE 0 A *ANGE4 ,! LI<T
%9+ ON ,BIRD 0 B"R1 B ! MAGNITUDE A LL
DIMM]4 ,! CR[DS W]5'T SOLD \ L 9 COL-
LEGE1 & FRS1 "K+ : BUTTONS 6PU%1 T1S$ H]
= MAK+ A LIV+ Z A PROFES.NAL BALL PLAY]4
,!N "! 0 ! LOS+4
  ,BIRD1 NE$+ "T 6SETTLE 96H] NEW
5VIRON;T1 EV5TU,Y LOOK$ 6,JACKSON   #CCF
= -PANION%IP1 ESPECI,Y S9CE ! ,AUSSIE _H
EXP]I;E 2+ ! SOLE FOCUS (A T1M4 ,N[1 "!
7 TWO ELITE TAL5TS ON A =MIDA# RO/]4
  8,I _H RE,Y -E 6APPRECIATE ,LAUR510 SD
,BIRD1 :O HAS BE5 "ND 6! ,,WNBA'S F/ T1M
FIVE "TS4 8,I DIDN'T R1LIZE H[ GD (A
SITU,N ,I 0 WALK+ 9TO4 ,%E'S RIDICUL\SLY
GD1 NO O!R PLAY]S 9 ! L1GUE D :AT %E
DOES1 & WE 2CAME BE/ FRS4 ,WE />T$ 6R1L-
IZE :AT WE CD D TGR40
  8,! F/ YE> 0 DI6ICULT 2C WE 7 BO? S "Y
GETT+ 6"K EA* O!R & ,I'M SORT ( \ "!1
,I'VE N"E BE5 A P]SON 6N SAY :AT ,I'VE
FELT10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,:E!R Y L X OR N1
Y'RE GO+ 6HE> MY OP9ION4 ,SUE IS -PLETE-
LY OPPOSITE1 & T'S :Y X 0 RE,Y T\< ! F/
YE> = U 6FIGURE EA* O!R \4 ,WE DID WANT
6& WE'VE TALK$ AB X S9CE4 ,B 9 ! ?IRD
YE> WE GOT 6"K EA* O!R BETT] & F.D WE _H
A LOT M 9 -MON ?AN WE KNEW4 ,S1 WE 2CAME
Q GD FRS & />T$ HANG+ \ M40
  ,Z ! T1MMATES GA!R$ AT ,JACK ,RODG]S'S
,M]C] ,ISL& HOME = _! ANNUAL B>BECUE1 !Y
7 ALL AN UNCANNY BUN* ( FRS4 ,"! 7 ALL-
NI<T K>AOKE "PIES 6CELEBRATE        #CCG
BIR?"DS & HOMEMADE D9N]S COOK$ 0,*ELLE1
,,LJ1 OR ,SIM"O ,$W>DS4
  ,AT ! B>BECUE1 A CAT]$ A6AIR 2GUN :5
,DUNN COA*$ ! ,/ORM1 ! PLAY]S LOOS5$ UP
) EA* O!R "? WAT] SPORTS1 VOLLEYBALL1 &
GD FOOD4 ,,LJ -M&E]$ "O (! ,S1TTLE ,PO-
LICE BOATS1 GETT+ !M 6TAKE H] =A RIDE1 &
,CATR9A ,FRI]SON S]5AD$ ,L5NOX & ,?OMP-
SON ) H] GOSPEL VOICE :ILE ,RODG]S TOOK
,DONOVAN =A SP9 ON A WAVE RUNN]4
  8,Z SOON Z ,I'D TAKE "S TI<T TURNS
%E'D YELL1 ,8,AHHH6 ,DON'T DUMP ME60'0
SD ,RODG]S4 8,! TEMPT,N 0 GRT1 B !N %E
HAS EI<T 9*ES ON ME4 ,I DON'T "K :Y %E
DIDN'T WANT ME 6DUMP H]1 Y "K T'S "P (!
FUN--G AH1D & MAKE "S FA/ TURNS & DUMP !
DAMN ?+ OV]40 ,! BREEZY MIDS1SON PICNIC
0 A NICE GETAWAY F "S 9JURIES & -PLIC,NS
*AS+ ! T1M4

  ,:ILE ,BIRD 0 RETURN+ 6H] ROOKIE =M1
HAV+ SU3ESS;LLY RECOV]$ F (F-S1SON KNEE
SURG]Y1 ,L5NOX SU6]$ A BROK5 NOSE 9 A
LOSS 6,H\/ON 9 ,JUNE4 ,%E MISS$ TWO
GAMES DUE 6REALIGN;T SURG]Y &       #CCH
SU6]$ F MIGRA9ES T DIPP$ H] SCOR+ AV]AGE
F #AC.F 6#AA.B 0S1SON'S 5D4
  ,9 ,JULY1 ,BURSE 9JUR$ H] "R HIP 9
PRACTICE & 0 DIAGNOS$ ) BURSITIS4 ,%E AL
RCVD ^W F H] FAMILY 9 ,NEW ,ORL1NS T H]
SI/] _H BE5 %OT 9 ! H1D :ILE SLEEP+ 9 H]
HOME4 ,%E 0 RU%$ 6! HOSPITAL1 & ,BURSE
IMMLY FLEW HOME 6T5D 6! MATT]4
      ,PICTURE3 ,DESPITE BR1K+ H] NOSE 9
    ,GAME #B (! ,/ORM'S F/-R.D PLAY(F
    S]IES AG/ ,M9NESOTA1 ,ALL-,/> GU>D
    ,SUE ,BIRD AV]AG$ #H.E PO9TS & #E.C
    ASSI/S 9 EI<T GAMES4
  ,BURSE L1N$ ON ,L5NOX DUR+ ? D>K "T &!
GU>D FELT ! PA9 Z DEEPLY Z IF X 7 H] [N
FAMILY4 ,%E RU%$ 6,BURSE'S SIDE AF RCVG
! #B ,,AM CALL1 & BO? RELI$ ON _! FAI?
6MAKE S5SE (! SITU,N4
  8,T'S :AT BE/ FRS >E =10 ,L5NOX SD4
8,I DIDN'T WANT H] 6TAKE X Z DEEP Z %E
DID 2C X 0 \ ( H] 3TROL4 ,X 0 9 ,GOD'S
H&S4 ,X BR"\ H] CLOS] 6,GOD & H[ 6D1L )
R1L;Y4 ,B \R REL,N%IP IS "O ( ^? T P %D
TRY 6F9D--"S"O Y C ALW CALL ON NO MATT]
:AT40                               #CCI
  ,JACKSON1 M1N:ILE1 0 2G9N+ 6FEEL H]
9FLAM$ %9S FL>E & _H A M9OR BACK SPRA9
0,JULY4 ,/1 %E 0 ON A ROLL1 %[+ A DEF5-
SIVE PROFICI5CY AG/ ! L1GUE'S TOP =W>DS4
,JACKSON 0 "ND ,PLAY] (! ,WEEK1 AV]AG+ A
L1GUE-BE/ #BA.B PO9TS AF A #FG-FC W9 AG/
,H\/ON AT ,KEY,>5A ON ,JULY #BD4 ,T GAME
0 "P (A FIVE-GAME W9N+ /R1K1 & ,JACK-
SON'S T1M-HI< #BF PO9TS M>K$ H] #AA?
GAME ( SCOR+ #BJ PO9TS OR M1 9CLUD+ ?REE
#CJ-PO9T NI<TS4
  ,= ALL ! EXCITE;T 9SIDE ,,WNBA >5AS1 !
L1GUE 0 / ON %AKY GR.D4 ,WOM5'S SPORTS
OV]ALL RCV AB #AJ P]C5T (! COV]AGE T
M5'S D1 &! .,S1TTLE .,"TS 0 ! ONLY RE-
MA9+ NEWSPAP] 9 ! C.TRY BUDGET+ A FULL-
"T TRAVEL+ B1T REPORT] =! ,,WNBA4 ,!
,,WNBA'S BI7E/ *ALL5GE 9 #BJJD 0 H[ TO
H&LE ! ,SUMM] ,OLYMPICS1 : L&$ "R :5 !
,,WNBA NORM,Y CLOSES XS REGUL> S1SON &
PREP>ES =! PO/S1SON4 ,AF (F-S1SON DELIB-
],N1 ! FRONT (FICE DECID$ 6=M XS S*$ULE
>.D ! ,GAMES 9 ,A!NS1 ,GREECE1 GIV+ A
MON?-L;G HIATUS 6XS #CJ ,OLYMPIANS1
9CLUD+ ,T1M ,,USA4 ,! DECI.N KEPT   #CDJ
MO/ PLAY]S F HAV+ 6SKIP ! 5TIRE S1SON =A
*.E 6REPRES5T _! C.TRIES AT ! ,GAMES1 B
X M1NT ! L1GUE WD RESUME 9 ,SEPTEMB]1 A
"T RES]V$ = FOOTBALL & MAJOR L1GUE BASE-
BALL PLAY(FS4 ,OLYMPIAN ,DAWN ,/ALEY
FELT ,T1M ,,USA _H 6BR+ HOME ! GOLD M$AL
9 ORD] =! L1GUE1 HAV+ N"E EXP]I;ED 8GO+
D>K10 6SURVIVE XS #CJ-"D ABS;E F ! PUB-
LIC'S EYE4
  ,PLAY+-WISE1 ! ,/ORM WD H PREF]R$ 6G
)\T ! HIATUS4 ,S1TTLE DEF1T$ ,/ALEY'S
,*>LOTTE ,/+ #HG-EE 9 XS F9AL GAME 2F !
BR1K1 DELI<T+ ! CR[D ( #H1CCH AT ,KEY-
,>5A ) #AA-=-#AH %OOT+ F ! ?REE-PO9T L9E
& BUILD+ A #CF-PO9T L1D AT "O "T 9 !
SECOND HALF4 ,JACKSON B1M$ ON ! C\RT1
MAK+ ?REE ( FIVE ?REE-PO9T ATTEMPTS4 ,!
MASSIVE L1D ALL[$ ,DONOVAN 6PLAY ,$W>DS1
A CR[D FAVORITE1 :O GRA2$ EI<T REB.DS TO
BAL.E \ ,VODI*KOVA1 :O 0 /RU7L+ 9SIDE4
,X 0 ! ,/ORM'S L>GE/ M>G9 ( VICTORY 9 !
S1SON & CAPP$ A #AG-H F/ /ANZA ( PLAY T
PLAC$ !M SECOND 2H ,LOS ,ANGELES 9 !
3F];E4
  ,R1LI/IC,Y1 ! T1M NE$$ ! BR1K4    #CDA
,DONOVAN 0 SELECT$ 6BE "O ( ,H\/ON COA*
,VAN ,*.ELLOR'S ASSI/ANT COA*ES =! N,NAL
T1M1 :ILE ,BIRD BACK$ UP ,/ALEY ON !
RO/]4 ,JACKSON REPRES5T$ ! ,AU/RALIAN
N,NAL T1M1 M1N+ ! ?REE CRITICAL -PON5TS
(! ,/ORM WD H BE5 MISS+ IF ! L1GUE _HN'T
HALT$ PLAY4 ,! BR1K AL GAVE ! RES]VES &
REMA9+ />T]S "T 6"W TGR "U ! L1D]%IP (
ASSI/ANT COA*ES ,JESSIE ,K5LAW & ,J5NY
,B\CEK4 ,L5NOX ESPECI,Y LOOK$ =W>D 6!
"T1 Z %E NE$$ 6REGA9 H] %OOT+ 3FID;E AF
BR1K+ H] NOSE4 ,%E'D DRIVE 6,RA9I] ,-MU-
N;Y ,C5T] OR /AY LATE AF PRACTICE 6P]-
FECT H] GAME4
  ,= ,BEVILAQUA & ,VODI*KOVA ! ,GAMES 7
TA9T$ ) ILL FEEL+S = _! N,NAL F$],NS4
,BO? 7 TOLD T RETURN+ 6! ,,WNBA WD ELIM-
9ATE !M F ,OLYMPIC ELIGIBIL;Y1 YET BO?
4REG>D$ ! ?R1T T 2CAME R1L;Y4 ,VODI*KOVA
FELT %E [$ ,/ORM FANS AF SU6]+ A SPRA9$
LEFT ANKLE 9 #BJJC & HE>+ ! CR[D'S AP-
PRECI,N = H] PLAY4
  8,I FELT X 0 MY DUTY 6GET BACK &
PLAY10 ,VODI*KOVA TOLD ! .,S1TTLE .,"TS4
8,!Y ,7! ,CZE* ,REPUBLIC7' DIDN'T   #CDB
2LIEVE MY 9JURY 0 R1L & BLAM$ ,ANNE4 ,X
WASN'T A SM>T DECI.N1 & IF _! DECI.NS >E
GO+ 6BE L ?1 ,I DON'T WANT 6PLAY ) !M40
  ,! ,AU/RALIAN ,OPALS 7 TANGL$ 9 A ?ICK
POLITICAL WEB1 TOO4 ,COA* ,JAN ,/IRL+ 0
UNPOPUL> ) PLAY]S1 MAK+ "QA# DECI.NS1 &
US$ ! ,OLYMPIC YE> 6EX]T H] P[]4 ,%E
CDN'T 3TROL ,JACKSON1 ! C.TRY'S TOP
PLAY]1 B %E CD /IFLE 8BUB#0 PLAY]S L
,BEVILAQUA1 :O 0 TOLD H] *.ES ( MAK+ !
T1M WD 2 NIL IF %E PLAY$ ! ,,WNBA S1SON
9/1D ( TRA9+ )! N,NAL T1M4 ,B ,BEVILAQUA
0 N"E GIV5 ANY GU>ANTEES %E'D MAKE ! T1M
IF %E _H /AY$4 ,%E LEFT1 & DESPITE H]
IMPROV$ PLAY WASN'T "ND 6! ,OLYMPIC ROS-
T]4
  8,I MADE ! DECI.N A :ILE AGO 2C ,I _H
S M* FUN LA/ S1SON & ?"\ MY BE/ *.ES TO
MAKE A T1M WD 2 "H10 ,BEVILAQUA TOLD !
.,S1TTLE .,"TS 9 TRA9+ CAMP4 8,I'M TRY+
6KEEP MY FEET ON ! GR.D40
  ,SAM DIDN'T JO9 9 ! BOND+ EXTRA "W\TS4
,%E DECID$ 6TRAVEL 6,A!NS 6SEE H] CLOSE
FRS1 ,JACKSON & GU>D ,%ANNON ,JOHNSON
7,SAN ,ANTONIO71 -PETE 9 ! GOLD     #CDC
M$AL GAME1 A DECI.N T WD LAT] 4TURB
,DONOVAN4
  ,:ILE ! PLAY]S 7 9 ,GREECE1 !Y 7 DU2$
PIT*M5 =! WOM5'S GAME1 AN ANTI!SIS 6,T1M
,,USA'S M5'S T1M4 ,AL? BO? T1MS /AY$ ON
! .,QUE5 .,M>Y1 A YA*T T WD NORM,Y CO/
4#EJJJ A NI<T1 ! WOM5 SPR1D GDWILL1 AN-
SW]+ E "Q & >RIV+ = E 9T]VIEW 2C !Y KNEW
H[ ! GR& /AGE (! ,OLYMPICS PLAY$ A "P =A
WOMAN A?LETE 9 "EY?+ F M>KET+ D1LS 6!
PURE VISIBIL;Y (! ,,WNBA4 ,! M51 ON !
O!R H&1 NOTICEABLY -PLA9$ AB PLAY+ "T &
PRACTICE1 & EV5TU,Y LO/ ! GOLD =! F/ "T
S9CE US+ PROFES.NAL PLAY]S4
  ,JACKSON1 TAK+ CORTIS"O %OTS 6PLAY ON
AN 9JUR$ LEFT ANKLE1 0 A B1CON 9 !
,GREEK SETT+1 /1MROLL+ H] C.TRY 6! GOLD
M$AL MAT* Z ! ,OLYMPIC ,GAMES' L1D+
SCOR] 7#BB.I PO9TS74 ,BIRD1 H["E1 0 REL-
EGAT$ 6JUNK M9UTES & DID M *E]+ ?AN
PLAY+4 ,T1M ,,USA AV]AG$ #HD PO9TS :ILE
HOLD+ OPPON5TS 6#FJ.C Z X TORE "? XS
BRACKET4 ,?REE-"T ,OLYMPIAN ,LISA ,LES-
LIE 0 ! L1D+ SCOR] 7#AE.F7 & REB.D]
7#H.J7 Z ! ,AM]ICANS PREP>$ =A      #CDD
REMAT* AG/ ! ,AU/RALIANS = GOLD4
  ,B ,JACKSON DIDN'T P]=M Z %E'D DR1M$
AB S _M "TS L1D+ UP 6! ,GAMES4 ,%E _H
PROMIS$ H]F %E'D W9 ! GOLD = H] "M1 :O
_HN'T -PET$ Z AN ,OLYMPIAN 2C (! DECI.N
6H *N4 ,! DAU<T] WANT$ RETRIBU;N1 B !
,AM]ICANS 7 ! BE/ OPPON5TS ! ,OPALS
FAC$1 & ,JACKSON 0 9E6ECTIVE (F5SIVELY4
,! BALL DIDN'T MOVE H] WAY & FRU/R,N BE-
GAN 63SUME H]4 ,/ ! ,AUSSIES L$ #CH-CD )
#E3DD REMA9+ 9 ! ?IRD QU>T]4 ,=W>D ,P5NY
,TAYLOR 7:O PLAY$ =! ,PHOENIX ,M]CURY7 0
L1D+ ! ,OPALS (F5SIVELY :ILE ,JACKSON 0
"W+ "UN1? ! HOOP1 GRA2+ REB.DS4 ,0! F\R?
QU>T]1 ! ,AM]ICAN RO/] PROV$ 6BE TOO
LOAD$ ) TAL5T4 ,=W>D ,T9A ,?OMPSON 0
BR1K+ AWAY F ! ,AUSSIE DEF5SE = OP5
LOOKS1 SCOR+ A GAME-HI< #AH PO9TS4 ,H]
DI% 9SIDE 6,LESLIE ) #B3JH REMA9+ PU%$ !
,AM]ICANS' L1D 6N9E PO9TS1 & ,T1M ,,USA
SIMPLY HELD ON =A #GD-FC W94 ,! F9AL
BUZZ] BR"\ TE>S 6BO? T1MS4 ,JACKSON MAN-
AG$ 6TURN H]S 96JOY1 DO+ C>T:EELS &
JUMP+ >.D ) FANS 6TRY 6CELEBRATE ! SILV]
M$AL4                               #CDE
  ,X 0 ! LA/ "T H] HE>T B1T ) PURE 9NO-
C;E4 ,2F RETURN+ 6,S1TTLE 6RESUME !
,,WNBA S1SON1 ,JACKSON 0 TOLD 0H] "M T
H] GR&"M 0 ILL & _H BE5 ADMITT$ 6A HOS-
PITAL4 ,DONOVAN 5C\RAG$ ,JACKSON 6G HOME
6,AU/RALIA1 B ,JACKSON'S M9D SWIRL$ )
?"\S4 ,%E DIDN'T FULLY -PREH5D ! SEV];Y
( H] MAT]NAL GR&"M'S ILL;S1 H[ M* "T %E
_H1 OR :E!R H] T1MMATES WD "U/& H] ABS;E
Z !Y H1D$ 96! PLAY(FS4
  ,JACKSON RETURN$ 6,S1TTLE = "O "D &
CDN'T /AY4 ,H] ANKLE 0 UNBE>A# F ! ALL-\
,OLYMPIC PLAY1 & H] M9D 0 ?9K+ AB ,NAN
,IR5E1 ! #HC-YE>-OLD GR&"M :O _H PRACTI-
C,Y RAIS$ H]4 ,JACKSON *ANG$ PLANS1 HOP-
P+ ANO!R FLI<T 6RETURN 6H] BIR?PLACE 9
,ALBURY4
  ,:ILE %E SP5T "T ) H] FAMILY1 3SOL+ H]
"M & TRY+ 6MAKE H] NANA FEEL -=TA#1 !
,/ORM />T$ A DECL9E4 ,DONOVAN B5*$ ,SAM1
4APPO9T$ 9 H] DECI.N N 6TRA9 DUR+ ! HIA-
TUS & WANT+ 6REW>D ,?OMPSON = IMPROV+4
,REG>D.S (! *ANGE1 ! T1M 0 N ! SAME )\T
,JACKSON4 ,BIRD _H A FIRE BURN+ 9 H]
EYES AF 2+ >.D VET]AN ,OLYMPIANS    #CDF
,/ALEY1 ,LESLIE1 & ,SWOOPES1 AV]AG+
#AI.E PO9TS 9 ,S1TTLE'S F\R PO/-,OLYMPIC
GAMES4 ,B ! T1M T %E 0 N[ 9 SOLE 3TROL (
LO/ ?REE GAMES FOLL[+ ! BR1K4
  ,"O (! 3SECUTIVE LOSSES 0 ON ! ROAD AT
,LOS ,ANGELES1 ": ,SP>KS GU>D ,TAMECKA
,DIXON ELEVAT$ H] TRA% TALK+ 96PU%+ ,L5-
NOX )! SCORE TI$ AT #HA PO9TS LATE 9 !
SECOND HALF4 ,DIXON1 :O SCOR$ #BJ PO9TS
9 ! W91 POPP$ H] J]SEY 6%[ (F H] ELEC-
TRIC SCOR+ NI<T1 HITT+ A N]VE ) ,L5NOX4
,ONCE ! GU>D %OV$ ,L5NOX 9 ! FACE 6GA9
3TROL (! BALL1 ,L5NOX RESPOND$1 &A SCUF-
FLE O3URR$ 9 FRONT (! ,/ORM B5*4 ,! TWO
_H 6BE SEP>AT$ 0T1MMATES1 ,?OMPSON L1P+
F H] S1T 6D S4 ,! EMO;N WASN'T J NORMAL
SPITE =! RIVALS4 ,! ,/ORM1 :O _H WON
SEV5 ( EI<T GAMES 5T]+ ! ,OLYMPIC BR1K1
_H A *.E 6OV]TAKE ! ,SP>KS 6W9 ! REGUL>-
S1SON 3F];E TITLE4 ,LOS ,ANGELES />T$
TWO ROOKIES 9 PLACE ( VET]ANS ,MWADI
,MABIKA1 ! T1M'S SECOND-L1D+ SCOR]1 &
,DE,LI%A ,MILTON-,J"OS" MAK+ ! GOAL M
R1LI/IC4 ,DESPITE L1D+ 9 MO/ IMPORTANT
/ATI/ICAL CATEGORIES1 ,S1TTLE LO/   #CDG
#HB-HA4 ,L5NOX & ,?OMPSON 7 F9$ 4#EJJ
APIECE = FI<T+1 ,?OMPSON AL GETT+ A "O-
GAME SUSP5.N = L1V+ ! B5*4 ,DIXON1 :O 0
EJECT$ F ! GAME1 0 AL F9$ 4#EJJ4 ,JACK-
SON1 HALFHE>T$LY KEEP+ UP )! T1M "? /O-
RIES PO/$ ON ! ,9T]NET & "S PH"O CALLS1
RETURN$ =! ,/ORM'S GAME AG/ ,DETROIT1 B
H] MOOD 0 H1VY4 ,9 A4I;N 6H] GR&"M'S
3DI;N1 %E _H 6ADJU/ 6PLAY+ ) ,BIRD &
,DONOVAN AG1 PO/-,OLYMPICS4
  8,! F/ C\PLE ( PRACTICES ,I 0 ?9K+1
,8,%IT4 ,I HATE Y10' 2C WE RE,Y WANT$ TO
W9 ! GOLD10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,WE "W$ S H>D
& "! !Y >E ) X40
  ,JACKSON _H TRAVEL$ 6?REE 3T95TS 9 !
SPAN ( N9E "DS1 SAY+ %E 0 8DAZ$ & 3FUS$0
^U >RIV+ 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,H] T1MMATES _H 6RE-
LY ON _! [N 5]GY 6CLIMB \ ( AN #AH-E
DEFICIT AG/ ! ,%OCK1 MO/LY 9SPIR$ 0,L5-
NOX'S IMPROV$ (F5SE1 US+ H] CR1TIV;Y TO
KNOCK ! DEF5SE (F BAL.E4 ,BIRD CLICK$ AF
HALF"T1 %OOT+ #H-=-#I F ! FIELD1 F9I%+ )
A GAME-HI< #BC PO9TS 9 AN #HF-FG W9 AT
,KEY,>5A4 ,! ,/ORM CLUNG 6XS SECOND-
PLACE /&+ 9 ! ,WE/]N ,3F];E Z X     #CDH
TRAVEL$ 6PLAY ,M9NESOTA1 :O CLOSELY
TRAIL$ !M AT ! "T4 ,B ! T1M %[$ XS Y\? &
LAZI;S1 WAT*+ = ,JACKSON 6MAKE "S?+ HAP-
P5 & LOS+ #FD-FA4
  ,DONOVAN1 NOTIC+ A TR5D1 SEP>AT$ H]F F
! T1M FOLL[+ A #GA-FD LOSS 9 ,3NECTICUT
ON N,NAL TELEVI.N4 ,%E 0 CALM EV5 ?\<
,SUN GU>D ,KATIE ,D\GLAS 0 ! SECOND
PLAY] 9 Z _M GAMES 6H A SP>KL+ P]=M.E
AG/ ,S1TTLE'S DEF5SE1 F9I%+ ) #BA PO9TS4
,SURE1 ! ,/ORM _H _H A H>% TRAVEL+ S*$-
ULE1 WAK+ AT #E ,,AM 6DE"P ,M9N1POLIS &
PRACTIC+ AF AN H\R'S BUS RIDE F ! AIR-
PORT 9 ,H>T=D1 ,3NECTICUT1 6! ,SUN'S LO-
C,N ON ! ,MOHEGAN ,9DIAN RES]V,N4 ,! #B
,,PM MAT*UP _HN'T ALL[$ "T =A %OOT>.D1 B
T 0 /&>D PROC$URE =! ,,WNBA4 ,IF !
,/ORM1 :O _H / CL9*$ A PLAY(F B]?1 CDN'T
F9D A WAY 6PULL !MVS TGR1 ,DONOVAN KNEW
%E C]TA9LY CDN'T4 ,! ,/ORM 5D$ ! ?REE-
GAME TRIP )A #GF-GJ W9 AT ,9DIANA4
,JACKSON SCOR$ A GAME-HI< #BJ PO9TS1
SUPPORT$ 0,BIRD'S SEV5 ASSI/S1 & _H N9E
REB.DS4 ,B ! PRO#MS DIDN'T 4APPE>4
  ,[N] ,H[>D ,S*ULTZ AWAIT$ 8       #CDI
,/ORM :5 !Y RETURN$ 6,S1TTLE4 ,PRACTIC,Y
JUMP+ ! PLAY]S Z !Y FIL$ (F ! BUS AT !
TRA9+ FACIL;Y ,TUES"D AFN1 HE />T$ RAM-
BL+ 6,DONOVAN AB ! S5SE ( URG5CY1 ! MAG-
NITUDE ( LOS+1 &! IMPLIC,NS ( RECOGNIZ+
": & :O !Y W]E4 ,HE PAUS$ =A BR1?4 ,DON-
OVAN CUT IN4
  8,H[>D1 Y "K Y'RE PR1*+ 6! *OIR10 %E
SD4
  ,HE /OPP$ TALK+4
  8,I ?9K !Y WD RE,Y L 6HE> T F Y10 %E
3T9U$1 PO9T+ 6! PLAY]S' LOCK] ROOM4 ,!
T1M 0 DROPP+ _! /UFF & ASSEMBL+ 6REVIEW
GAME TAPE4 ,DONOVAN _H ALR C.ELL$ PRAC-
TICE1 GIV+ ! PLAY]S A BR1K S9CE !Y _H TO
HO/ ,PHOENIX AT ,KEY,>5A ! FOLL[+ "D4
  ,S*ULTZ1 NATTILY DRESS$ 9 SLACKS &A
SW1T]1 WALK$ IN4 ,HE MO;N$ =! WOM5 6GA!R
>.D1 /OOD 2F !M1 & />T$ 6SP1K4 8,! P[]
IS YRS10 HE IMPLOR$4
  8,X 0 AB "SBODY :O P]SON,Y "KS :AT
SU3ESS IS10 ,DONOVAN SD ( LI/5+ 6,S*ULTZ
SP1K 6H] T1M4 8,N Z ! [N] T HAS TAK5 ON
! ,/ORM Z 8 PET PROJECT4 ,N Z A FAN4 ,J
Z "SBODY :O SAW GRT POT5TIAL &      #CEJ
DIDN'T WANT ^! P 6LET T POT5TIAL PASS40
  ,! TALK RESONAT$ )! PLAY]S1 ESPECI,Y !
RES]VES4 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #AE1 ,SIM"O
,$W>DS & ,BEVILAQUA HELP$ 6\TSCORE !
,M]CURY B5* #BA-AE 9 A SECOND R,Y 6W9
#GC-EH 2F #G1HEE FANS4
  ,! ,/ORM / SLIPP$1 : WASN'T ! WAY !Y
WANT$ 65T] ! PO/S1SON4 ,:5 ,L5NOX'S POS-
SI# TY+ ?REE-PO9T %OT AT ! BUZZ] (A HOME
GAME AG/ ,LOS ,ANGELES RIMM$ \ (! HOOP1
S1L+ AN #HC-HJ LOSS 65D ! REGUL> S1SON1
! ,/ORM _H WON ONLY ?REE ( XS N9E GAMES
AF ! ,OLYMPIC BR1K4 ,! RECORD CR[D (
#AD1HHD BELT$ XS *ANT ( 8,B1T ,L-,A0 &
8,M-,V-,P0 = ,JACKSON1 B ! *EMI/RY BUILT
2F ! ,GAMES _H EVAPORAT$ ON ! C\RT4 ,"!
7 TOO _M (F-C\RT CIRCUM/.ES 3SUM+ ! T1M4
,BURSE'S SI/] 0 9 A -A & / NE$$ M$ICAL
TR1T;T4 ,HURRICANE ,IVAN 0 CUTT+ A SWA?
"? ,$W>DS'S NATIVE ,JAMAICA HOME4 ,JACK-
SON'S GR&"M'S 3DI;N 0 DET]IORAT+4 ,!
PLAY]S WANT$ 6%$ _! COLLECTIVE SK9 & />T
ANEW4
  8,IN ! SECOND HALF (! S1SON1 "!'S BE5
A LOT ( H>D%IPS1 TE>S1 &A LOT (     #CEA
HU7+10 ,JACKSON TOLD ! .,S1TTLE .,"TS4
8,WE'LL H "S "T 6REGR\P Z A T1M & GET
BACK 6": WE 7 2F ! BR1K1 PLAY+ AWE"S AG4
,X'S ALL "* BUILD+40

  ,"DLI<T HIT H] EYES &A GRO7Y ,JACKSON
R1*$ = H] R++ CELL4 ,X 0 H] "M1 :O 0
SO2+1 WANT+ 6-PLETE A S5T;E B UNA# TO4
,JACKSON1 3FUS$1 DIDN'T "K :AT 6?9K4 ,9
A BLUR1 %E HE>D "S?+ AB H] 8,NAN ,IR5E0
& 8T MORN+0 & 8DI$40 ,JACKSON ?REW !
TELEPH"O4 8,I'VE GOT 6HANG UP10 %E TOLD
H] "M4
  8,T SORT ( FR1K$ ME \ A LL BIT1 ,I J
BROKE D[N & T 0 X4 ,I 0 G"O =! RE/ (!
"D4 ,I WANT$ 6G HOME1 B ,I CDN'T 2C '''0
,JACKSON'S VOICE TRAILS (F4 ,X'S TOO SU-
P]FICIAL 6SAY Y PREF] A ,,WNBA *AMPION-
%IP OV] 2+ ) YR FAMILY AF A D1?4 ,& T
WASN'T RE,Y ! CASE1 B X'S H[ X LOOK$ TO
ANY"O \TSIDE ! FAMILY4 ,! ,JACKSONS EN-
C\RAG$ ,LAUR5 6RETURN 6,S1TTLE 6VIE =!
,,WNBA TITLE4 ,H] "M EV5 _H AN AGREE;T )
,DONOVAN T %E WD CALL ! COA* F/ )! NEWS
(! D1? S ,DONOVAN CD 2 9 ! ROOM )   #CEB
,JACKSON Z H] "M TOLD H]4
  ,X DIDN'T HAPP5 T WAY4 ,JACKSON'S EYES
/>T$ 6FILL ) TE>S4 ,!N "! 0 A KNOCK AT
H] DOOR4 ,X 0 ,DONOVAN4
  ,ON ! ROAD ! EVE 2F ,GAME #A (! F/-R.D
PLAY(F S]IES AG/ ! ?IRD-SE$$ ,M9NESOTA
,LYNX1 ,DONOVAN 0 A SPLIT-SECOND LATE
DUE 6WAIT+ =! ELEVATOR 6RIDE D[N 6,JACK-
SON'S ROOM AT ! ,RADISSON ,HOTEL4 ,ON T
W9DY ,FRI"D 9 ,SEPTEMB]1 ,M>EE CDN'T
WAIT4 ,%E CALL$ H] DAU<T] BACK & S(TLY
SD H] GR&"M _H DI$ ( NATURAL CAUSES4
  8,%E 0 A -PLETE MESS10 ,DONOVAN SD (
,JACKSON'S 3DI;N4 ,! TWO LEFT ! HOTEL &
WALK$ >.D ! CORN] 6,/>BUCKS4 ,) JAZZ
PLAY+ 9 ! BACKGR.D & PATRONS FLUTT]+ AB1
ORD]+ _! MORN+ FIX1 ,JACKSON & ,DONOVAN
TALK$4 8,I DON'T ?9K "! 0 M* C(FEE
DRANK10 ,DONOVAN SD4
  ,JACKSON'S AGONY 0 H>DE/ 6WAT*4 ,DONO-
VAN 0 SWALL[+ H] [N PA9 T S1SON1 LOS+ H]
"M 6A HE>T ATTACK 9 ,JANU>Y4 ,H] "M 0
,DONOVAN'S BI7E/ FAN1 KEEP+ UP ) H]
COA*+ C>E] & HOLD+ ON 6DAT$ PICTURES1
9CLUD+ HI< S*OOL PHOTOS 9 : ,DON-   #CEC
OVAN PLAY$ 9 YELL[ BLOOM]S & F/ R1LIZ$
%E CD SU3E$ AT ! SPORT4
  ,DONOVAN DIDN'T ALL[ H]F 6GIVE M* ?"\
6MEMORIES ( H] "M'S SMILE1 K9D ^WS1 OR
QUIRKY WAYS UNTIL S1T$ ACR F ,JACKSON1
:O WEPT AB "EY?+ = H] GR&"M4 ,%E HID 2H
BASKETBALL4 ,DONOVAN AG TOLD ,JACKSON1
H["E1 T %E CD G HOME 6BE ) H] FAMILY1 T
"EY"O WD "U/&1 B ! ,JACKSONS _H ALR
AGRE$ T :5 ,LAUR5 RETURN$1 %E'D /AY UN-
TIL ! 5D (! PLAY(FS4 ,AT ! "T1 !Y DIDN'T
?9K H] GR&"M WD PASS S QKLY4
  8,7,JACKSON7' DIDN'T MISS A PRACTICE1
DIDN'T MISS A %OOT>.D1 %E 0 "R "! E /EP
(! WAY10 ,DONOVAN SD4 8,\ ( X1 V M* \ (
X4 ,V PROFES.NAL1 GO+ "? ! MO;NS ON !
C\RT1 TRY+ 6LOSE H]F 9 ! MO;T ( BASKET-
BALL40
      ,PICTURE3 ,! ,/ORM'S *AMPION%IP
    S1SON ATTRACT$ S"EAL LOCAL A?LETES4
    ,SONICS ,ALL-,/> ,RA%>D ,LEWIS & =-
    W>D ,RE7IE ,EVANS CAU<T A GAME AL;G
    ) ,,NBA LEG5D ,BILL ,RUSSELL1 A
    ,/ORM REGUL>4
  ,! ,M9NESOTA GAME 0 A NOON TIP-   #CED
(F AT ! ,T>GET ,C5T] J A FEW BLOCKS D[N
! /REET1 PRACTIC,Y VISI# F A FEW (!
PLAY]S' ROOMS4 ,JACKSON DIDN'T SLEEP1
FEEL+ EV5 M AL"O 9SIDE ! ROOM MILES F H]
,S1TTLE 3DO & _WS AWAY F H] HE>TBROK5
FAMILY 9 ,AU/RALIA4
  ,PU6Y-EY$ )A R$D5$ NOSE1 %E />T$ !
GAME /R;G1 B>REL+ D[N =! OP5+ TIP AG/
,OHLDE ) H] BLOND HAIR 9 A TANGL$1 MESSY
BUN & PALE BLUE EYES DIRECT$ AT ! BAS-
KETBALL4 ,>.D ,JACKSON'S LEFT BICEP 0 A
/RIP ( BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE1 TRADI;N =
,AU/RALIAN PLAY]S :O'VE LO/ A LOV$ "O4
,JACKSON1 FEEL+ ISOLAT$1 EXPECT$ 6BE !
ONLY "O WE>+ ! SYMBOL B 0 SURPRIS$ :5 H]
T1MMATES AL GRA2$ ! TAPE & WRAPP$ X >.D
_! J]SEYS1 WRI/S1 =E>MS1 & BICEPS 9 SOL-
ID>;Y4 ,JACKSON 0 PLAY+ = H] GR&"M1 &!
ONLY WAY 2+ SEP>AT$ F H] FAMILY WD FEEL
"R 0 IF ! T1M WON ! *AMPION%IP4 ,H] T1M-
MATES "U/OOD1 WANT+ 6W9 = _! [N R1SONS
TOO1 B :5 ! PO9T 0 BR"\ UP 9 A PREGAME
HU4LE1 ,JACKSON BROKE D[N 9 TE>S4 ,QKLY1
%E WIP$ !M AWAY & TRI$ 6DR[N H]F 9 !
GAME4                               #CEE
  ,F\R M9UTES AF PLAY />T$1 %E 0 BACK ON
! B5* ) ?REE F\LS4 ,%E SAT HUN*$ OV]1
TRY+ N 6?9K AB ANY?+ B BASKETBALL4 ,X 0
H>D4 ,Z M* Z PLAY(F FEV] MAY HIT ! PLAY-
]S1 "S"TS X DOESN'T C>RY OV] 6! G5]AL
PUBLIC4 ,! (FICIAL ATT5D.E 0 ANN\NC$ Z
#D1BGG1 B ! >5A1 : S1TS #AI1JJJ1 LOOK$
EMPTY4 ,&)! ,/ORM DOM9AT+ #I-A AT ! "T
%E LEFT ! GAME1 X 0 D1F5+LY QUIET1 N 5
64TRACT H] F ! ?"\S 9 H] H1D4
  ,0! SECOND HALF1 ,JACKSON 0 DET]M9$ TO
/AY ON ! C\RT4 ,%E 0 "P (! ,/ORM'S #EE.F
P]C5T %OOT+ F ! FIELD 6COLLECT ! FRAN-
*ISE'S F/ PLAY(F W91 #GJ-EH4 ,JACKSON
SCOR$ A T1M-HI< #AD PO9TS1 B ,S1TTLE 0
PAC$ 0,SAM1 :O _H #AA PO9TS1 #AJ REB.DS1
& SEV5 ASSI/S4 ,"EY"O SCOR$ 9 ! GAME1
EV5 ,L5NOX1 :O SU6]$ A M9OR 3CUS.N & 0
REPLAC$ 0,?OMPSON 9 ! SECOND HALF4 ,!
,LYNX1 :O 7 LESS EXP]I;ED & N Z DEEP Z !
,/ORM1 7 SIMPLY OV]P[]$1 EV5 IF ,JACKSON
WASN'T PLAY+ 6H] FULL POT5TIAL4
  8,"! 0 A GLAZE OV] H] EYES10 ,DONOVAN
SD4
  ,JACKSON REMA9$ PROFES.NAL1 H[-   #CEF
"E1 WALK+ 6! PODIUM 6ANSW] "QS 2F A
,,WNBA PLAY(FS BACKDROP4 ,9 ! BE/-(-?REE
S]IES1 H] T1M _H ! *.E 6SWEEP ! ,LYNX )A
W9 AT ,KEY,>5A ON ,MON"D1 ,SEPTEMB] #BG4
,AF MUMBL+ A FEW REPLIES AB ! GAME1 %E
CRUM#D AG 96TE>S 9 ! ,T>GET ,C5T] CORRI-
DORS4
  8,TALK+ AB X MAKES X R1L & MAKES Y H
6D1L ) YR EMO;NS 9 FRONT ( O!R P10 SD
,DONOVAN1 :O /OOD A FEW FEET F ! P[] =-
W>D Z %E TRI$ 6KEEP H] COOL 9 FRONT (
M$IA :ILE TELL+ LL ANECDOTES AB H] NANA4
8,%E DEF9ITELY 0 N ! SAME KID40
  ,FEEL+ 3FID5T1 ! ,/ORM 0 /RUCK )A DIF-
F]5T BL[ 9 ,GAME #B (! S]IES4 ,A HYP]
CR[D ( #G1BFA COLLECTIVELY /OPP$ BR1?+
:5 ,BIRD PLOPP$ ON ! C\RT AF ,LYNX GU>D
,T]ESA ,$W>DS SMACK$ 96H] FACE1 BR1K+
,BIRD'S NOSE N1TLY ACR ! BRIDGE ?REE M9-
UTES 96! GAME4 ,$W>DS 0 CRU%$4 ,AL? !
9CID5T _H BE5 -PLETELY A3ID5TAL1 %E EX-
PRESS$ EXTREME GUILT AF ! GAME & WANT$
,BIRD 6"K %E _H M1NT NO H>M4
  ,AF A MO;T SITT+ ON ! C\RT1 ,BIRD MADE
A BEEL9E 6! LOCK] ROOM1 CUPP+       #CEG
BLOOD 9 H] PALMS4 ,TRA9] ,ANNM>IE ,H5KEL
QKLY FOLL[$1 & TWO :ITE T[ELS FILL$ )
BLOOD Z !Y TRI$ 6/OP ! BLE$+4 ,BIRD
:IZZ$ PA/ ! B5* & ,BEVILAQUA1 B H] BACK-
UP DIDN'T CLICK T X 0 "T 6REPLACE ,BIRD4
  8,TULLY6 ,TULLY6 ,TULLY1 LET'S G60
,DONOVAN YELL$ 6SNAP ! GU>D \ ( H] TR.E4
  ,BEVILAQUA ROSE & _H 6PLAY A S1SON-HI<
#BG M9UTES1 RUNN+ ! T1M 9 PLACE ( ,BIRD4
,! ,AU/RALIAN1 / WE>+ ELECTRICAL TAPE
>.D H] BICEPS 6SUPPORT ,JACKSON1 _H !
CR[D ROCK+ ) H] N9E PO9TS1 9CLUD+ "O
?REE-PO9T]1 F\R ASSI/S1 & F\R /1LS4 ,9
FACT1 X 0 ! ,/ORM'S B5*1 9CLUD+ ,?OMPSON
& ,BURSE1 :O GUID$ ! T1M 6A #FD-ED W94
,! RES]VES \TSCOR$ ! ,LYNX B5* #BG-AF &
,BURSE HI<LI<T$ A #AD-A ,/ORM RUN 6CLOSE
! GAME )A /R;G LAYUP AT ! #B3EA M>K1 EN-
SUR+ ! F/-R.D SWEEP4
   ,! ,KEY,>5A AUDI;E1 2G9N+ 6CAT* ON 6!
MAGICAL MO;T1 />T$ 6*ANT 8,S5D !M HOME60
Z ,BURSE & ,?OMPSON 4PLAY$ A SMOO?
9SIDE-\ GAME DUR+ A #AD-D RUN4 ,BIRD1 A#
6/OP ! BLE$+1 RETURN$ 6! B5* & COV]$ H]
NOSE ) COTTON PADS ) "O H& :ILE     #CEH
PUTT+ A FI/ ( SUPREMACY 9 ! AIR )! O!R4
,%E %OO$ CAM]AS AWAY F FILM+ H] 8BROK5
B1K10 Z X 0 CALL$ 9 ! PRESS1 B ASSUR$
"EY"O X WDN'T /OP H] F -PET+ 9 ! PLAY-
(FS4 ,UNLIKE ,L5NOX1 :O _H 6WE> A T1M-
MATE'S MASK :5 %E BROKE H] NOSE1 ,BIRD 0
SEE+ A SPECIALI/ ! FOLL[+ "D & WD 2 FIT-
T$ )A MASK IMMLY4 ,DONOVAN 0 D\BT;L1 B
:5 ! ,/ORM H1D$ 6,SACRA;TO = ,GAME #A (!
,WE/]N ,3F];E F9ALS AG/ ! ,MON>*S1 ,BIRD
0 9 ! />T+ L9EUP1 FIDGET+ ) AN ACRYLIC
FACEMASK4
  8,T'S A T>GET = ANY T1M10 ,L5NOX TOLD
! .,S1TTLE .,"TS4 8,P DON'T "U/& H[ S5-
SITIVE YR NOSE IS4 ,X DEP5DS ON H[ T\< Y
>E4 ,Y GET HIT1 X C BR+ TE>S 6YR EYES4
,B Y /EP BACK & Y'LL 2 ,,OK1 B Y MAY N
WANT 6G 9SIDE AG4 ,X DEP5DS ON H[ T\< Y
>E40
  ,) DUEL+ BLACK EYES & SWOLL5 *EEKS1
,BIRD PATT$ H] FACE ?REE "TS 6BE SURE !
PROTECTIVE MASK 0 ON CORRECTLY & />T$ !
GAME )A DET]M9$ LOOK4 ,%E DROVE H] SMALL
FRAME 9SIDE ! PA9T FILL$ ) #F-FOOT-#D
BODIES & / SPOTT$ CLE> PA?S 6ZIP    #CEI
! BALL 6OP5 T1MMATES1 HELP+ ! ,/ORM
BUILD A #AD-PO9T F/-HALF L1D4 ,! CR[D (
#AJ1FFB1 WE>+ METALLIC PURPLE WIGS &
RATTL+ "EY?+ F ,?"U,/IX 6C[BELLS1 _H _!
_SS DAMP5$4 ,"O WOMAN 2H ! PRESS R[ EV5
SI<$1 8,? IS S DEPRESS+10 Z ,JACKSON %[-
CAS$ H] UNT\*A# TURN>.D JUMP %OT1 SCOR+
OV] =W>D ,TANGELA ,SMI?4 8,I DIDN'T D A
GRT JOB ON ,LAUR5 TN1 %E'S A *ALL5GE10
,SMI? SD ( ,JACKSON F9I%+ )A PLAY(F-F/
#CA PO9TS & #AC REB.DS4 ,B X WASN'T ,SE-
ATTLE CELEBRAT+ AF ! F9AL BUZZ] 9 OV]"T4
  ,P]H OV]LY 3FID5T1 ! ,/ORM /OPP$ PLAY+
DEF5SE 9 ! SECOND HALF1 ALL[+ ! VET]AN
,MON>*S 6-E BACK AF ! BR1K4 ,=W>D ,DE-
,MYA ,WALK] SLI!R$ PA/ ,BURSE 6MAKE A
GAME-W9N+ #H-FOOT HOOK %OT4 ,EC/ATIC1 %E
HI<-/EPP$ M>*+ B&-/YLE 6! O!R 5D (!
C\RT1 CR[D$ 0ELAT$ T1MMATES4 ,! PURPLE
"PY 0 9 FRONT ( ,S1TTLE'S B5* & LA/$ S
L;G1 MO/ (! PLAY]S DIDN'T EV5 %AKE H&S
FOLL[+ ! W94 ,/UNN$1 ,S1TTLE 0 QUIET 9 !
LOCK] ROOM4 ,BIRD _H MISS$ A JUMP %OT T
CD'VE WON X 9 REGUL,N4 ,! PO/S 7 \TPLAY$
#CI-BJ 9 ! SECOND HALF & OV]"T4     #CFJ
,SACRA;TO _H #AB /1LS1 =C+ ! ,/ORM 96#AF
TURNOV]S4 ,X WASN'T ! TYPE ( BASKETBALL
T 0 GO+ 6ADV.E !M 6! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS4
  ,LUCKILY1 ! FOLL[+ TWO GAMES (! S]IES
7 AT ,KEY,>5A1 S9CE ! ,/ORM _H ! BETT]
REGUL>-S1SON RECORD4 ,! ,MON>*S _H AD-
V.ED 6! 3F];E F9ALS 0DEF1T+ ! L1GUE'S
TOP T1M 9 ,LOS ,ANGELES #B-A 9 ! F/ R.D4
,! ,SP>KS' LOSS M1NT ? "T X 0 ,LESLIE
SITT+ AT HOME :5 %E LE>N$ %E WON !
L1GUE'S ,,MVP AW>D1 TOPP+ ,JACKSON 0A
VOTE ( #DBE-CEA AM;G A PANEL ( #DH N,NAL
BROADCA/]S & SPORTSWRIT]S4 ,AL? ,JACKSON
_H WON ! REGUL>-S1SON SCOR+ TITLE1 ,LES-
LIE _H AV]AG$ #BB.I PO9TS 9 EI<T PO/-
,OLYMPIC GAMES 6L1D ! ,SP>KS 6A #BH-I
F9I%4 ,! SCOR+ FIGURE 9CLUD$ "O #CA-PO9T
NI<T &A TRIPLE-D\# 9 PO9TS 7#BI71 REB.DS
7#AE71 & BLOCKS 7#AJ7 AG/ ,DETROIT4
,LESLIE AV]AG$ #AA.C PO9TS & #H.G REB.DS
9 ! ?REE-GAME PLAY(F S]IES AG/ ,SACRAM5-
TO4
  ,JACKSON LE>N$ ( ,LESLIE'S W9 9 2T
GAMES4 ,! SNUB MOTIVAT$ H] Z %E PLAY$ ON
! PLAY(F'S GR& /AGE 2F A N,N,Y      #CFA
TELEVIS$ AUDI;E4 ,GAME #B AG/ ,SACRA;TO
0 H] REBUTTAL1 SCOR+ #AA ( H] F9AL #BC
PO9TS 9 ! F/ HALF 6HELP ! ,/ORM BUILD A
#CB-AD L1D ) #E3DI REMA9+4 ,! ,MON>*S1
:O SPOKE (! GAME 2+ A 8W>0 PRIOR 6TIP-
(F1 7 #A-=-#G %OOT+ F ! FIELD 6OP5 !
GAME1 FALL+ 2H 0#AD PO9TS E>LY4 ,/1 !Y
LAU<$ AT 9T]MIS.N4 ,GU>DS ,TI*A
,P5I*EIRO1 ,RU?IE ,BOLTON1 & ,$NA ,CAMP-
BELL1 PLUS C5T] ,YOL&A ,GRI6I? _H BE5
>.D ! GAME S L;G !Y FELT Z IF !Y 9V5T$
X4 ,CAMPBELL & ,GRI6I? PLAY$ 9 ! ,,ABL
TGR1 & ,BOLTON 0 A ,MON>* ORIG9AL4 ,-E-
BACKS 7 Z M* A "P ( _! /YLE Z
,P5I*EIRO'S SASSY NO-LOOK PASSES4 ,SURE
5\<1 !Y RALLI$ 6PULL )9 #EH-ED AF ,%]I
,SAM'S SEV5? TURNOV] L$ 6TWO MADE FREE
?R[S 0,DE,MYA ,WALK]4 ,B ! ,MON>*S' #AA-
#B RUN WD 5D "!4 ,BIRD1 :O 0 AIM+ 6W9 A
*AMPION%IP ON E LEVEL F HI< S*OOL 6!
,OLYMPICS & PROS1 %[$ H] -PETITIVE _S--!
"O T PREV5TS H] F LOS+ EV5 A 8FRLY0 B[L+
MAT* OR C>DS4 ,BIRD MADE ?REE (! ,/ORM'S
CLOS+ FIVE FREE ?R[S & PICK$ (F A BAD
PASS 0=W>D ,TANGELA ,SMI? 6GIVE !   #CFB
,/ORM A #FF-ED W94 ,S1TTLE'S F9I% 0
CAPP$ 0AN OP5 ?REE-PO9T] 0,*ELLE ,?OMP-
SON AT ! BUZZ]1 A MOVE ,DONOVAN DIDN'T
"PICUL>LY L 2C X FELT A LL %[Y4 ,&! LA/
?+ H] T1M NE$$ 6D 0 TRY 6%[ UP A BUN* (
VET]ANS4 ,! ,/ORM _H HI/ORY ON XS SIDE1
H["E4 ,! HOME T1M 0 #AF-F ALL-"T 9 ,GAME
#C'S (! ,,WNBA PLAY(FS4
  8,I'M S WIR$ "R N[10 SD ,JACKSON 6!
.,S1TTLE .,"TS4 ,H] (F5SIVE REB.D )
#CF.I SECONDS LEFT SET UP ,BIRD'S H]O-
ICS4 ,BIRD F9I%$ ) #AB PO9TS & FIVE AS-
SI/S4 8,I WANT 6PLAY N[4 ,X ,7,GAME #B7'
FEELS S F> AWAY & WE H TOO M* 6GET D"O 9
T P]IOD ( "T 9 T]MS ( 2+ R1DY40
  ,! ,MON>*S1 :O _H _H _! S1SON 5D$ 9 !
3F];E F9ALS TWICE 0! ,SP>KS 9 ! PA/1
SEEM$ 6H EXP5D$ ALL ( _! 5]GY ON GETT+
PA/ _! IN-/ATE RIVALS4 ,A GR[+ FOLL[+ (
#H1HBF FANS 0 DELIRI\S 9SIDE ,KEY,>5A Z
! ,/ORM MADE #AB ( #AH ?REE-PO9T]S 6DE-
F1T ! ,MON>*S #HC-FC 9 ! DECISIVE ,GAME
#C4 ,BIRD1 :O'D _H REALIGN;T NOSE SURG]Y
TWO "DS E>LI] & C\<$ UP BLOOD DUR+
PRACTICE1 OR*E/RAT$ A PLAY(F-       #CFC
RECORD #AD ASSI/S Z H] T1M %OT A SIZZL+
#ED.G P]C5T F ! FIELD4 ,JACKSON SQU1L$
8,OH1 MY ,GOD60 AF E MADE ?REE-PO9T]1 N
2LIEV+ H]F4 ,! B5*1 AG1 PLAY$ A CRITICAL
ROLE Z ,?OMPSON CAME 96! GAME )! ,/ORM
CL++ 6A #DD-DC L1D ) #AD3DE LEFT1 SCOR+
SEV5 3SECUTIVE PO9TS 9 A #BJ-J RUN 6HELP
PREV5T A ,SACRA;TO -EBACK 9 ! SECOND
HALF4
  8,*ELLE WON ! GAME = U1 ,I C'T EV5
TELL Y10 SD ,JACKSON1 :O MADE ALL FIVE (
H] ?REE-PO9T ATTEMPTS 9 ! SECOND HALF1 A
PLAY(F RECORD1 & L$ ! T1M ) #BG PO9TS4
8,%E J BR"\ T 3FID;E T WE NE$$4 ,)\T :AT
%E DID1 ,I DON'T "K IF WE WD H WON4 ,NO1
WE WD H WON1 B ,I DON'T ?9K WE WD H WON
L T40
  ,3FETTI LITT]$ ! C\RT1 & ,L5NOX 0 "O (
! F/ 6:IP ON AN OV]SIZ$ 3F];E *AMPION%IP
%IRT & CAP1 B ! ,/ORM KNEW "! 0 M TO -E4
,DONOVAN 2CAME ! F/ COA* 6L1D T1MS 9 BO?
3F];ES 6! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS & N[ %E CD 2COME
! F/ WOMAN 6W9 ! L1GUE *AMPION%IP :ILE
BR++ ,S1TTLE XS F/ MAJOR SPORTS TITLE1
M5'S OR WOM5'S1 S9CE #AIGI4 ,!      #CFD
LURE (A TITLE POSSIBLY -+ 6! ,EM]ALD
,C;Y />T$ 6PIQUE 9T]E/ 9 ! T1M \TSIDE (!
LOYAL LEGION ( FOLL[]S :O LO7$ ONTO
_+STORMFANS.ORG_: DAILY4 ,K>5 ,BRYANT
-;T$ T 9 ! PA/ %E'D _H 6CALL ! O!R PRO-
FES.NAL T1MS & BEG !M 6*ECK \ A ,/ORM
GAME4
  8,!Y'RE CALL+ ME N[ & WE B>ELY H !
TICKETS60 %E SD Z ,M>9]S \TFIELD] ,R&Y
,W9N JO9$ MEMB]S (! ,S1HAWKS1 :O 7 UNDE-
F1T$ AT ! "T1 =M] ,SONICS =W>D ,%AWN
,KEMP1 & ,G>FIELD ,HI< COA* ,JOYCE ,WAL-
K] 9 ! /&S4 ,! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS AL BR"\
,SONICS LEG5DS ,SLICK ,WATTS1 ,FR$
,BR[N1 & ,,NBA LEG5D ,BILL ,RUSSELL1 :O
7 ALR REGUL>S AT ! GAMES4
  ,BR[N 0 ON ! ,SONICS RO/] T _H WON A
TITLE #BE YE>S E>LI]4 ,! C;Y _HN'T BE5
SWEPT ) ? K9D ( SURPRISE S9CE ! ,SONICS
LO/ #D-C 6! !N ,WA%+TON ,BULLETS 9 !
SEV5-GAME ,F9ALS S]IES 9 #AIGH4 ,! ,SON-
ICS 7 EXPECT$ 6RETURN 6! ELITE /AGE !
NEXT YE>1 ? "T DEF1T+ ! ,BULLETS #D-A4
,GU>D ,GUS ,WILLIAMS1 DU2$ 8,! ,:IZ10
TOSS$ ! BASKETBALL HI< 96! ,WA%+-   #CFE
TON RAFT]S Z ! ,SONICS S1L$ ! *AMPION%IP
#IG-IC ON ! ROAD4 ,! T1M RETURN$ HOME 6A
,JUNE P>ADE1 ) FANS PACK+ ! D[NT[N
/REETS1 POPP+ %OTGUNS 9 ! AIR1 DRAP+
!MVS F LI<T PO/S OR PEEK+ F (FICE W9D[S
J 6GET A GLIMPSE (! *AMPIONS4
  ,W9N+ PUT A HAPPY P]K 9 ,S1TTLE T LA/$
L;G] ?AN C(FEE1 B N L;G 5 6/RET* TWO
DECADES4 ,OV] "T FOOTBALL & BASEBALL WD
T1SE ! T[N ) T FEEL+1 B NORM,Y X WD FADE
FA/ )A LOSS1 & P SU3UMB$ 6A LOS+ M5TALI-
TY4 ,! FALL ( #BJJD 0 NO DI6]5T4 ,T1*]S
9 ,M>YSVILLE 7 REC\P+ F A #DI-"D /RIKE2
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GO1 _H 4P]S$ #BD1JJJ "W]S S9CE ! #I-AA
ATTACKS2 & N,NAL \TS\RC+ ( JOBS _H CAUS$
,S1TTLE 62COME "O (! N,N'S L1D]S 9 UNEM-
PLOY;T T SUMM]4
  ,TOSS 9 ! C;Y'S COLLECTIVE LIB]AL VIEW
T ! W> 9 ,IRAQ 0 UNJU/1 & "S?+ POSITIVE
6*E] AB 0 WELCOM$1 EV5 ! NEW & DI6]5T
WOM5'S BASKETBALL T1M4 ,! ,/ORM _H J
?REE "DS 6SELL XS *AMPION%IP TICKETS1
WORRY+ ! FRONT (FICE1 B NEW POCKETS (
FANS CLAMOR$ =! HI<-PRIC$ S1TS1     #CFF
RANG+ F 4#AF 64#IJ1 MOV+ ! T1M 6OP5 !
CURTA9-DRAP$ UPP] B[L4
  ,?REE ?\S& MILES AWAY F ! BU4+ EUPHO-
RIA1 ,L5NOX CDN'T SLEEP4 ,GAME #A 0 9
,3NECTICUT1 AF ! ,EA/]N ,3F];E *AMPION
,SUN 7#AH-AF7 SWEPT ,NEW ,YORK 6ADV.E4
,! ,MOHEGAN ,SUN >5A IS LOCAT$ 9SIDE A
SMOKE-FILL$ CAS9O ) FRONT DOORS /EPS
AWAY F SLOT MA*9ES4 ,! PLAY]S' ROOMS 7
AL 3NECT$ 6! FACIL;Y1 M1N+ Y'D H 6/EP \
ON ! POOL'S SOL>IUM 6BR1! NATURAL AIR4
,L5NOX TOSS$ 9 H] FLU6Y B$1 !N WOKE UP
,BURSE1 H] ROOMMATE4
  8,GETT+ T CLOSE1 X'S N]VE-WRACK+4 ,Y
C'T SLEEP4 ,Y'VE GOT BUTT]FLIES ALL 9 YR
/OMA*10 ,L5NOX SD4 8,Y "K Y %D LAY 9 B$
NO MATT] :AT & AT L1/ TRY 6GET (F YR
FEET =! GAME1 B NO4 ,ME & ,,JB1 \R IN-
/9CTS TELL U 6G60
  ,! PLAY]S HU/L$ D[N/AIRS & WALK$ PA/ A
MASSIVE BLUE GLASS SCULPTURE1 DESIGN$ BY
,TACOMA NATIVE ,DALE ,*IHULY1 ":
,,ESPN#B _H DECID$ 6SET UP XS MAKE%IFT
/UDIO4 ,! ANIMAT$ NOISE (! SLOT MA*9ES
IS ": ,L5NOX & ,,JB /OPP$4 ,AF      #CFG
BL[+ AB 4#AJJ APIECE1 ! TWO MADE _! WAY
BACK UP/AIRS 6TALK !MVS 6SLEEP4
  8,BETTY ?"\ ! SLOT MA*9ES WD 2 W>M$ UP
0!N1 R1DY =A W910 ,BURSE SD4 8,S1 WE'RE
UP AT #C ,,AM & DIDN'T W9 ANY?+4 ,%E'S
FUNNY "S"TS40
  ,:AT HAPP5$ H\RS LAT] 9 ,GAME #A 0 N
FUNNY4 ,SUN COA* ,MIKE ,?IBAULT _H 8 DE-
F5SIVE S*EME R1DY = ,S1TTLE'S SIGNATURE
PICK-&-ROLL PLAY4 ,HE PUT AN E>LY 5D 6!
MOVE 2T ,JACKSON & ,BIRD 0PUTT+ #F-FOOT
,KATIE ,D\GLAS ON ! ,/ORM'S SMALL] PO9T
GU>D4 ,!N ,3NECTICUT D\#-T1M$ ,JACKSON4
,AF VIEW+ A S1SON'S WOR? ( TAPE ON H[ TO
DEF5D ! ?REE-PO9T-LOV+ ,/ORM1 ! ,SUN
KNEW EXACTLY H[ 64SECT XS OPPON5T4 ,S1T-
TLE MISS$ #AJ ( #AF ?REE-PO9T ATTEMPTS &
TURN$ ! BALL OV] #AG "TS Z ,3NECTICUT
BUILT A #AD-PO9T L1D4 ,L5NOX SEEM$ 6BE !
ONLY PLAY] CAPA# ( ADJU/+ H] GAME1 L1D+
,S1TTLE ) #AG PO9TS4 ,B Z ROOKIE ,L9DSAY
,:AL5 LEFT ,BIRD ON H] BUTT ON ! F9AL
POSSES.N (! GAME1 ! ,SUN WON ! MAT*UP
#FH-FD 6MAKE ! TOP-SE$$ ,/ORM LOOK L
*UMPS4                              #CFH
  ,BIRD1 :O'S NORM,Y RES]V$ ) H] EMO;NS1
SCR1M$ 8,FUCK60 Z %E TORE (F H] GRE5 J]-
SEY & FLUNG H] FACE MASK 96H] VISITOR'S
LOCK]4 ,S9CE %E'D GRADUAT$ F ,3NECTICUT1
! /ATE _HN'T BE5 FRLY 6H]4 ,FANS HELD
HO/ILE SIGNS L 8,GIVE ,S1TTLE ! ,BIRD0
OR 8,CAGE ! ,BIRD40 ,A GOLF CLAP 0 ALL
%E RCVD DUR+ PLAY] 9TRODUC;NS1 & EV5 H]
"M ADMITT$ H] "YE/ DAU<T] 8N"E PLAY$
WELL0 9 ! ,3/ITU;N ,/ATE1 Z IF ! GLASS
/RUCTURE AL;G ! BANK (! ,?AMES ,RIV] 7
L9$ ) KRYPTONITE4 ,DONOVAN 0 J Z TI<T Z
H] SUP]/>1 H["E4 ,JACKSON1 :O PLAY$ ALL
#DJ M9UTES1 0 NOTICEABLY WORN F ! D\#
COV]AGE DEF5SE1 B ! COA*+ /AFF DIDN'T
MOVE =A SUB/ITU;N 9SIDE UNTIL ! F9AL
EI<T M9UTES (! GAME4 ,$W>DS 5T]$ ! GAME
!N & HELP$ ! T1M *OP A #AF-PO9T L1D 6TWO
PO9TS ) #AG.D SECONDS REMA9+4 ,X 0 TOO
LATE2 ! B5* T _H LIFT$ ! />T]S UP UNTIL
! ,F9ALS :ITTL$ AWAY "U ! COA*+ S*EME4
  8,?ANK ,GOD "!'S A ,GAME #B60 BELT$
,BIRD 6! PRESS AF TURN+ ! BALL OV] SIX
"TS4
                                    #CFI
  ,MOVIES 7 ! SELECT$ 4TRAC;N 9 2T GAMES
& PRACTICES 6KEEP ,JACKSON'S M9D BUSY )
ANY?+ B HOME4 ,%E SPOKE 6H] "M (T51 WI%+
H] A HAPPY #EJ? BIR?"D ON ,OCTOB] #AA1 B
TRI$ 6SP5D M "T WAT*+ ,,DVD'S4 ,IRONI-
C,Y1 ,JACKSON & ,SUN GU>D ,KATIE ,D\GLAS
WAT*$ HORROR FLICKS 9 2T PLAY(F GAMES1
?\< ,D\GLAS HAT$ SC>Y MOVIES4 ,%E SAT 9
H] T1M'S HOTEL PLU7+ H] E>S & BLA2+
8LALALALALA0 Z H] FIANC@E WAT*$ ! CREEPY
"PS PRIOR 6,GAME #B 9 ,S1TTLE4 ,JACKSON1
M1N:ILE1 REVEL$ 9 !M4 ,! F"R TOOK H] M9D
(F ?+S Z %E LAU<$ AT H[ SPECIAL E6ECTS
CD />TLE H]4
      ,PICTURE3 ,/ORM GU>D ,BETTY ,L5NOX
    DRIVES PA/ ,3NECTICUT =W>D ,NYKE%A
    ,SALES4 ,9 ! ,,WNBA ,F9ALS1 BO? DIS-
    PLAY$ %OOT+ FIRE"WS 9 ,GAME #B AT
    ,KEY,>5A4
  ,=! DECISIVE GAME1 %E TAP$ ?REE SMALL
,M>ILYN ,MANSON PHOTOS 6! SIDE PANEL (
H] ,KEY,>5A LOCK] & TOOK ! C\RT )A *ANG$
ATTITUDE4 ,D\GLAS _H YET 6WIT;S SC>Y4
  ,AN AMAZ+ SI<T AWAIT$ ,JACKSON ON !
C\RT4 ,! CR[D _H D\#D 6#AG1JGB1 A   #CGJ
SELL\T1 & HOMEMADE PO/]S 7 Z HI< UP Z !
RAFT]S1 PROCLAIM+ "EY?+ F 8,SUN ,DON'T
,%9E 9 ,S1TTLE0 TO 8,Y MAY H ,7,NYKE%A7'
,SALES1 B WE'VE GOT ! ,M"OY ,7,BETTY
,L5NOX1 :O 0 DU2$ ;,B-,M"OY7'40 ,! B[L-
%AP$ 3CRETE FACIL;Y SEEM$ 63TA9 S.D
WELL1 : WD A6ECT ,D\GLAS'S T1M1 MAK+ !M
"U/& ! IMPORT.E ( HOME-C\RT ADVANTAGE 9
! ,F9ALS4
  ,AF ! ,SUN CLOS$ ! F/ HALF AH1D #CE-
#CJ1 =W>D ,NYKE%A ,SALES & ,L5NOX 7 9 !
MID/ ( AN (F5SIVE DUEL4 ,L5NOX 0 GU>D$
0,:AL51 :O _H SU6]$ F FOOD POISON+ !
NI<T 2F & TRI$ 6USE A BRUIS+ GAME 6KNOCK
,L5NOX (F BAL.E4 ,X 0 A MISTAKE4 ,!
%OVES T 5D$ 9 NO CALLS F ! (FICIALS SIM-
PLY MADE ,L5NOX T\<] 6DEF5D4 ,) DIZZY+
BASEL9E LAYUPS & WICK$ JUMP %OTS1 ,L5NOX
0 9 H] ELE;T1 FILL+ ! VOID = S"M$ ,BIRD
& ,JACKSON4 ,B ,SALES1 A /R1KY %OOT]1 AL
FELT 8X0 T NI<T4 ,%E RESPOND$ 6E %OT )
H] [N MIX ( %["T BASKETS1 GETT+ AWAY F
,SAM'S S(T DEF5SE4 ,! SCORE 0 TI$ AT !
#E3DC M>K1 B ,L5NOX \TSCOR$ ,SALES #H-E
6CLOSE \ ! GAME4 ,L5NOX AL SET UP   #CGA
,VODI*KOVA )A KICK-\ DI% 6! FREE-?R[
L9E1 : ! ,CZE* EASILY DRA9$ #AJ FEET F !
HOOP4
  ,SALES1 :O SCOR$ #BA ( H] ,F9ALS-
RECORD #CB PO9TS 9 ! SECOND HALF1 _H A
*.E 6W9 X ALL )A ?REE-PO9T] AT ! BUZZ]4
,! PLAY 0 DIRECTLY AF A "T-\ ON !
,/ORM'S 5D (! C\RT4 ,SAM BLEW H] DEF5-
SIVE ASSIGN;T1 GETT+ LO/ 9 ! PA9T Z
,SALES HU/L$ \ 6! CORN]4 ,SALES 0 OP5 9
! "R POCKET :5 %E RETRIEV$ ! BASKETBALL4
,SAM WAT*$ Z ,SALES HOI/$ A RU%$ %OT1
?9K+ "! 0 LESS "T ON ! CLOCK1 SEE+ X
CLANK (F ! SIDE (! BACKBO>D4 ,ANO!R SEC-
OND TICK$ (F ! CLOCK 2F ! BUZZ] S.D$4
,S1TTLE EV5 _H A F\L 6GIVE T CD H MASK$
! BL[N DEF5SIVE ASSIGN;T1 B X WD G UN-
US$4 ,SALES LAT] CLAIM$ %E DIDN'T "K X 0
A POT5TIAL GAME W9N]1 LOS+ A *.E 6SWEEP
! ,/ORM 2H A #FG-FE LOSS4 ,L5NOX 0 S]E-
NAD$ 6*ANTS ( H] "N1 MAK+ #AA ( #AF %OTS
=A S1SON-HI< #BG PO9TS4
  8,T %OT %D H G"O10 ,JACKSON SD4 8,X 0
MY NANA UP "! LOOK+ OV] ME40
                                    #CGB
  ,! TWO "DS 9 2T GAMES 7 A BLUR4 ,BO?
T1MS _H PRACTICES1 B AL _H 6MEET )
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,MICROS(T40


















            ,,*APT] ,,ELEV5         #CHE
           ,HOOP9' =A ,FUTURE

  ,R1L;Y HIT QKLY = ,BETTY ,L5NOX4 ,DE-
SPITE ,/ORM COA* ,ANNE ,DONOVAN ADVIS+
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BUSI;S SIDE DETAILS1 PAP]"W1 MOV+ \ ( H]
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ISSU$ R5TAL C>1 & FILM+ F>EWELL CLIPS =
S1SON TICKET HOLD]S4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+1
,L5NOX RETURN$ HOME 6,MISS\RI 6SP5D AB
?REE "DS ) H] FAMILY !N 0 (F 6,ITALY =
(F-S1SON PLAY4 ,! MAJOR;Y (! L1GUE'S
PLAY]S 7 MAK+ ! TREK 6,EUROPE1 ,ASIA1 &
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TRA9+ &= ECONOMIC R1SONS4
  8,I H BILLS 6PAY10 ,L5NOX SD4
  ,JET-LA7$ F ! TRANSATLANTIC FLI<T1
,L5NOX FELL "U DI6]5T RULES 9 ,ITALY4 ,!
T1M WANT$ H] 6PRACTICE "R !N1 PAY+ H]
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TACKL+ DEF5SE M PHYSICAL ?AN 9 ! ,,WNBA1
,L5NOX MANAG$ 6SCORE #AF PO9TS 9 A
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AB #EJJ FANS TRI$ 6MAKE H] FEEL AT EASE1
%\T+ 8,BETT9A6 ,BETT9A60 : LOOSELY
TRANSLAT$ TO 8LL ,BETTY10 & ADORN+ !
WALLS ) SIGNS L 8,DR4 ;,B IS 9 DA H\SE10
B ,L5NOX1 DRESS$ 9 AN ORANGE & BLUE UNI-
=M1 MISS$ \ ON ! *AMPION%IP GLITZ4
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,! T9Y1 T1M-ISSU$ A"P;T LOOK$ TOSS$ OV]
2C S _M P _H FILT]$ "? X4 ,! C;Y SEEM+LY
REEK$ ( UR9E :5 X RA9$1 DUE 6POOR   #CHH
PLUMB+4 ,& ,L5NOX DIDN'T 5JOY ! N"E-5D+
PA/A DI%ES 3/ANTLY S]V$4
  8,I 0 ON A HI< :5 ,I LEFT10 ,L5NOX SD4
8,B Z SOON Z ,I LEFT1 X /AY$ 9 ,S1TTLE4
,I RE,Y DIDN'T GET 6SOAK X 9 L ,I WANT$
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65JOY X 9 O!R /ATES 2C X HAPP5$ "H ) ALL
! P & /UFF4 ,P BACK 9 ,MISS\RI KNEW1 B
X'S DI6]5T 2C WE DIDN'T W9 X 9 ,MISS\RI4
,:5 ,I W5T HOME1 ,I _H P :ISP]1 ,8,"!'S
,BETTY ,L5NOX60' ,B ,I DIDN'T GET 65JOY
X1 S T M1NS WE J H 6D X ALL OV] AG40

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SL$ PA/EL *]RY BLOSSOMS F TREE LIMBS4
,SIDEWALKS 7 /A9$ F ! MAG5TA1 P9K1 &
:ITE PETALS1 PAV+ A ROYAL RUNWAY =!
QUE5S ( SUMM] 6RETURN 6_! C\RT4
  ,REPORTS AB ! ,/ORM SCATT]$ ACR NEWS-
PAP]S & TELECA/S DUR+ ! SPR+ ( #BJJE 9 !
=M ( FREE AG5T SIGN+S1 TRADES1 &! UPCOM+
,APRIL DRAFT4 ,/>S L ,JACKSON & ,?OMPSON
7 SPOTT$ AT HI< S*OOL /ATE *AMPION%IP
GAMES1 AUTOGRAPH SIGN+S AT ,EA/SIDE
GROC]Y /ORES1 & L1D]%IP ASSEM-      #CHI
BLIES4 ,EV5 ,SAM 0 SPOTT$ DA%+ "? !
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,WA%+TON P>K+ LOT ) ,JACKSON
AT ! ,,NCAA F/-R.D REGIONAL HO/$ AT ,$-
MUNDSON ,PAVILION1 ?\< ,SAM _H SIGN$ A
?REE-YE> 3TRACT )! ,*>LOTTE ,/+ 9 ,FEB-
RU>Y4 ,! SI<TS1 L ! F/ FL[]S ( SPR+1
/IRR$ A W>M? & EXCITE;T 9SIDE = WOM5'S
BASKETBALL FANS--SUMM] 0 -+4
  ,B N UNTIL ! MAD;S 5D$4 ,M>* ,MAD;S4
  ,S1TTLE 0 "O ( EI<T F/-R.D SITES =!
,WOM5'S ,,NCAA T\RNA;T1 GIV+ BASKETBALL
JUNKIES A TWO-"D FIX4 ,PLAY]S F ,TEXAS
,*RI/IAN1 ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,OREGON1 ,BAY-
LOR1 ,ILL9OIS ,/ATE1 ,V&]BILT1 ,KANSAS
,/ATE1 ,MONTANA ,UNIV]S;Y1 & ,B[L+ ,GRE5
DESC5D$ ^U ! FACIL;Y WE>+ ! REQUISITE
SWI%Y T1M SW1T SUITS4 ,Z EA* SQUAD FIL$
96! #AJ1JJJ-S1T >5A1 PE]$ \ (! L[] TUN-
NELS1 OR FOLL[$ EA* O!R UP/AIRS1 X 0 L
WAT*+ A BROK5-UP ,OLYMPIC P>ADE ( A?-
LETES1 ) COLORS L HUNT] GRE51 GOLD1 &
ROYAL PURPLE TA7+ _! ALLEGI.E4
  ,AL? SP>SE1 ! CR[D 0 A VISUAL :O'S :O
( BASKETBALL4 ,ANNE ,DONOVAN SAT
9CONSPICU\SLY SC\T+ A FEW (! SIX    #CIJ
TOTAL GAMES ) ASSI/ANT COA* ,J5NY ,B\-
CEK4 ,H\/ON ,-ETS GU>D ,%EILA ,LAMB]T1
:O _H PLAY$ PREP BALL ACR ! WAT] AT
,*IEF ,S1L? ,HI< ,S*OOL1 FLOAT$ >.D TO
CAT* UP ) HOMET[N FRS4 ,& ,L9 ,DUNN1 N[
AN ASSI/ANT =! ,9DIANA ,FEV]1 *ATT$ )
OLD ,/ORM FRS :ILE KEEP+ AN EYE ON !
C\RT4
  ,JACKSON UNFURL$ H] FRAME ON ! PLA/IC
PURPLE S1TS1 FLOPP+ H] SIZE-#AB M5'S
SN1K]S OV] A S1T 9 FRONT ( H]1 & SOAK$ 9
! NEW SI<T4 ,L1V+ ,AU/RALIA 2F ! FRIGID
W9T] BLEW IN1 ,JACKSON _H RETURN$ 6COM-
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"R ANKLE4 ,X 0 ! E>LIE/ %E'D "E BE5 9
:AT %E CALL$ H] ADOPT$ C;Y1 NORM,Y AP-
PE>+ A WEEK 96TRA9+ CAMP4
  ,AF W9N+ 9 ,OCTOB] #BJJD & SP5D+ :AT
FELT L ET]N;Y1 B RE,Y 0 J F\R MON?S1 EI
9 B$ OR ON ! C\*1 ,JACKSON DECID$ %E
NE$$ A *ANGE4 ,A C&Y FI5D1 %E 0 TIR$ (
GO2L+ 9DIG5\S TR1TS L ,VIOLET ,CRUM# Z
IF ! MANUFACTUR] 7 PULL+ ! PLUG ON !
*OCOLATE CRE,NS4 ,%E 0 M\RN+ ! D1? ( H]
GR&"M & FI<T+ 6/AY FIT =A           #CIA
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EDI;N PHOTO %OOT 9 ,MIAMI1 ": %E & H] "M
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H["E1 X 0 ,M>EE ,JACKSON TRY+ H] BE/ TO
6/AY PATI5T Z %E PAMP]$ A H1L+ ,LAUR54
,H] DAU<T]'S ROOM AT ! FAMILY'S C.TRY-
SIDE HOME 0 J (F ! KIT*51 B ,LAUR5 /
PICK$ UP H] CELL PH"O & DIAL$ ! H\SE
NUMB]4
  8,HELLO80 ,H] "M SD 96! RCVR4
  8,I WANT E7S4 ,I WANT TOA/4 ,I WANT
C(FEE10 %E HE>D H] DAU<T]'S DEM&+ VOICE
UTT]4
  ,M>EE WALK$ 6! DOORWAY ( ,LAUR5'S
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  8,I CDN'T GET \ ( B$1 Y BU7]10 ,JACK-
SON SD :ILE LAU<+ ) H] "M WELL AF H] RE-
HABILIT,N BR"\ A SU3ESS;L RETURN1 N
WANT+ ,M>EE 6%>E ANY 4P>AG+ /ORIES 6DAM-
AGE H] ANGELIC FA@CADE4 8,I CDN'T WALK6
,MY FOOT 0 ! SIZE (A FOOTBALL60
  ,JACKSON NE$$ BASKETBALL AG4 ,A FEEL+
,DONOVAN & ,?OMPSON CD "U/&4 ,!Y    #CIB
_H BO? LO/ _! "MS1 ,?OMPSON LOS+ H]S
DUR+ ! #BJJA S1SON :ILE PLAY+ 9 ,9DIANA4
,%E US$ 6WRITE 8,M-,O-,M0 ON ! TOP "P (
H] SN1K]S S T %E CD SEE ! ^W :5 %E LOOK$
D[N :ILE PLAY+4 ,PATRICIA ,?OMPSON LOV$
BASKETBALL--ALL LEVELS1 M5 & WOM54 ,%E'D
TALK 6H] DAU<T] AB ! GAME 3/ANTLY &
,*ELLE WD %>E H] FRU/R,NS AB PRACTICE OR
EXCITE;T AB GAMES4 ,*ELLE WD /A% H] "M'S
H&WRITT5 NOTES OR MOTIV,NAL ,BI# V]SES 9
H] LOCK] ) TONS ( PICTURES ( H] "M S %E
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0 H] DAU<T]'S BE/ FR4
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,TEXAS T HAS TWO SPOTLI<TS ON ! MA9 DRAG
"? T[N SEP>AT+ ! ,NOR?-SIDE :ITES F !
,S\?-SIDE BLACKS & ,HISPANICS1 ": !
,?OMPSON HOME WAS4 ,A MASSIVE BLUE SKY
HUNG L A ,TUPP]W>E LID OV] ! OIL C.TRY1
PRES]V+ A LO/ "T :5 ! *N CD RUN ! NEI<-
BORHOOD /REETS & N WORRY AB CRIME4 ,PA-
TRICIA1 A ?IRD G5],N RESID5T1 & ,ROB]T1
AL;G )A GA7LE ( C\S9S & AUNTS &     #CIC
UNCLES1 7 REGUL>S AT ,*ELLE'S ,TEXAS
,TE* ,UNIV]S;Y GAMES1 MOSEY+ #AFH MILES
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,ASSOCIAT$ ,PRESS'S ,ALL-,AM]ICAN F/
T1M4 ,*ELLE 0 ! N9? PICK 9 ! DRAFT1 SE-
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KNEE 9JURY #AI GAMES 96! S1SON4 ,H] "M
_HN'T SE5 H] PLAY LIVE 9 ! ,,WNBA1 B 9
,JUNE #BJJA1 ,*ELLE 0 BU2LY AT PLANN+ H]
FAMILY'S >RIVAL4
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6F9ALIZE _! PLANS4 ,PATRICIA EV5 _H _H A
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,*ELLE LEFT =! UPCOM+ S1SON4
  8,IF ,I PASS$ AWAY & Y _H A GAME T
SAME NI<T1 ,I WD WANT Y 6PLAY ! GAME10
,PATRICIA SD FRANKLY4
  ,*ELLE :IPP$ H] H1D >.D & LOOK$ AT H]
"M4
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  8,I'LL WANT Y TO10 ,PATRICIA REP1T$4
  8,I WDN'T EV5 2 A# 6MAKE X \      #CID
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LETT+ ! 3V]S,N 5D4
  ,ON ,JUNE #BB1 ! ,FEV] PLAY$ ,DETROIT
AT ,3SECO ,FIELDH\SE1 B ,*ELLE WDN'T
PLAY4 ,H] "M _H DI$ T "D AT ! AGE ( #EJ4
,*ELLE1 :O TURN$ #BE ON ,JUNE #CJ1 MISS$
FIVE GAMES1 RETURN+ HOME 6BE ) H] FAMI-
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,H\/ON ON ,JULY #F1 %E GAVE A QK SPEE* 9
! LOCK] ROOM TELL+ H] T1MMATES T %E NE$$
_! SUPPORT & T H] EMO;NS WD SW+ L A P5-
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  8,I ?"\ X WD 2 GD 6GET BACK ON ! C\RT
& J =GET ALL ( X10 ,?OMPSON SD4 8,T 0 H[
,I ESCAP$ "EY?+4 ,:5 ,I 0 \ "! & ,I 0
PLAY+1 T 0 ! ONLY "T ,I CD N ?9K AB MY
MOM4 ,Z H>D Z X WAS1 T 0 ALL T ,I _H4 ,I
FELT S M* PA94 ,S _M DI6]5T EMO;NS4 ,I 0
SAD4 ,I 0 MAD4 ,I 0 LO/4 ,MY :OLE _W _H
CRUM#D4 ,ALL ! FRU/R,N1 "EY?+ ,I FELT1
,I WD J L1VE ON ! FLOOR4 ,I PLAY$   #CIE
MY BE/ BASKETBALL DUR+ T "T40
  ,JACKSON DIDN'T MAKE ANY SPEE*ES AB H]
GR&"M1 B %E / US$ H] T1MMATES Z A CRUT*
Z ,?OMPSON _H D"O4 ,& AF %E MADE >RANGE-
;TS 6TRA9 9 ,S1TTLE 9 ,FEBRU>Y #BJJE1
PULL+ ! COBWEBS (F ! FURNITURE 9 H]
,QUE5 ,ANNE 3DOM9IUM1 6SETTLE 96! ,AM]I-
CAN WAY ( LIFE1 %E TAP$ A PHOTO ( H]
GR&"M 9 H] LOCK]4 ,NANA ,IR5E IS PICTUR$
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T] & GR&DAU<T] 2H H]4 ,?OMPSON & ,JACK-
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FIGURES T (F-S1SON1 B X =M$ A BOND4
  8,X DOESN'T GET ANY EASI]1 Y J LE>N H[
6COPE ) X10 ,?OMPSON SD4
      ,PICTURE3 ,AF W9N+ ! *AMPION%IP1
    AN ELAT$ GR\P ( PLAY]S TOOK C&ID
    PHOTOS )! TROPHY BACK/AGE AT ,KEY-
    ,>5A4 ,CLOCKWISE F BOTTOM LEFT3 ,SUE
    ,BIRD1 ,ADIA ,B>NES1 ,LAUR5 ,JACK-
    SON1 ,TULLY ,BEVILAQUA1 & ,%]I ,SAM4
  ,JACKSON D1LT ) H] LOSS 0PLAY+1 TOO4
,B F/1 %E'D H 6GET BACK 9 %APE1 HAV+
GA9$ A POTBELLY AF ! #BJJE S1SON4 ,%E _H
N"E SP5T ? M* "T 9 ,S1TTLE & 0      #CIF
5JOY+ LE>N+ AB ! CULTURE4 ,%E 5JOY$ !
RA93 8,X HELPS ME SLEEP4 ,I'VE ALW LOV$
! RA94 ,I WI% X CD RA9 E "D40 ,%E 3T9U$
6M>VEL AT ! SI<T ( HI< S*OOL *E]L1D]S :5
%E MADE APPE>.ES AT /ATE BASKETBALL T\R-
NA;T GAMES1 & %E CAMPAIGN$ =! ,,WNBA T1M
AT ! /ATE LEGISLATURE 9 ,OLYMPIA1 ! OR-
GANIZ,N MAK+ A PRES5T,N =A PUBLICLY
FUND$ NEW FACIL;Y 6REPLACE ,KEY,>5A4
,JACKSON AL FILM$ _M ADV]TIS+ PROMO;NS
:ILE MANAG+ 6F9D "T = H]F4 ,%E WASN'T PD
=! USE ( H] FACE1 "N1 OR SIGNATURE4 ,X 0
H] "P (! /-PIONE]+ ASPECT (! GAME4 ,TO
PROVIDE A FUTURE = "S (! COLLEGE PLAY]S
N[ SPR9T+ ON ! C\RT 2F H] AT ! ,,NCAA
T\RNA;T1 L PETITE ,L\ISIANA ,/ATE ,UNI-
V]S;Y GU>D ,TEMEKA ,JOHNSON4 ,"S "Q$
,JOHNSON'S #E-FOOT HEI<T Z %E L$ ! ,TI-
G]S 6! ,F9AL ,F\R4 ,%E WD LAT] 2 SELECT$
)! SIX? OV]ALL PICK 6,WA%+TON 9 ! ,APRIL
#BJJE DRAFT & W9 ! ,ROOKIE (! ,YE> AW>D1
/>T+ AT PO9T GU>D1 AV]AG+ #E.B ASSI/S
7SECOND 6,BIRD'S L1GUE-L1D+ #E.I7 =!
#AF-AH ,MY/ICS4
  ,JOHNSON1 A LOVEA# P9T-SIZ$       #CIG
FIGURE1 IS "O (! EM]G+ COLLEGE />S !
,,WNBA HOPES 6BUILD XS FAN BASE F4 ,COL-
LEGE WOM5'S BASKETBALL />T$ R1*+ XS Z5I?
9 #BJJC1 :5 ! ,,NCAA F9AL 2T ! ,UNIV]S;Y
( ,3NECTICUT &! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,T5;SEE FEA-
TUR+ ,PHOENIX GU>D ,DIANA ,TAURASI 0 !
MO/-WAT*$ BASKETBALL GAME--M5'S OR WOM-
5'S1 COLLEGE OR PRO--"E ON ,,ESPN4 ,PRI-
OR 6! S1SON 9 ,NOVEMB]1 ,TAURASI 0 PHO-
TOGRAPH$ ) ,HUSKIES M5'S /> ,EMEKA ,OKA=
ON ! COV] ( .,,ESPN .,! .,MAGAZ9E & FEA-
TUR$ ) ,OKA= 9 .,SPORTS .,ILLU/RAT$4
,BO? PLAY]S 7 LOTT]Y PICKS1 ,OKA= SE-
LECT$ ,NO4 #B OV]ALL 0! ,,NBA ,*>LOTTE
,BOBCATS1 & 7 "ND ,ROOKIE (! ,YE> = _!
RESPECTIVE L1GUES4
  8,Y _H 6BE A FAN (! GAME 6"U/& T AT A
C]TA9 P]IOD ( "T T WD H BE5 UN?9KA#10 SD
,,NBA -MIS.N] ,DAVID ,/]N (! EQUAL EXPO-
SURE 9 N,NAL MAGAZ9ES4
  ,! WOM5'S ,F9AL ,F\R RAT+1 #D.C1 0 /
L[] ?AN ! M5'S #AA.A *AMPION%IP ON !
,,CBS NET"W1 B X PROMPT$ ,,ESPN 69K A
RECORD #AA-YE>1 4#BJJ MILLION D1L =
EXCLUSIVE "RS 6AIR ALL #FC T\RNA-   #CIH
;T GAMES4 ,! CA# SPORTS GIANT 2LIEV$ L
,/]N T WOM5'S BASKETBALL 0 GR[+4 ,9
#AIIC1 ! /,N ONLY TELEVIS$ #AB WOM5'S
GAMES4 ,9 #BJJD1 ! NUMB] JUMP$ 6#ID4
,N[1 "!'S A GAME %[N E ,MON"D NI<T DUR+
! S1SON1 & ,LAS ,VEGAS HAS EV5 JO9$ !
FRAY1 A3EPT+ BETS ON T\RNA;T GAMES4 ,EV5
NOT$ DUNK] ,C&ACE ,P>K] ( ,NAP]VILLE1
,ILL9OIS1 RCVD TR1T;T L ! BOYS1 HAV+ H]
-MIT;T 6,T5;SEE BROADCA/ LIVE ON ,,ESPN4
  8,WE LOOK AT WOM5'S BASKETBALL Z A
GR[? PROP]TY10 SD ,BURKE ,MAGNUS1
,,ESPN'S VICE PRESID5T = SPORTS PROGRAM-
M+1 AT ! "T (! /,N'S T\RNA;T BROADCA/+
ANN\NCE;T4 8,WE SEE ! IMPROVE;T 9 !
QUAL;Y ( PLAY PLUS ! P>;Y1 & "! IS NO
R1SON 62LIEVE ! SPORT WON'T 3T9UE 6GR[40
  ,H["E1 ! /,N HAS YET 6PAY ! ,,WNBA =
"RS 6BROADCA/ XS GAMES1 9/1D =M+ D1LS "?
XS "PN]%IP )! ,,NBA4 ,&! /,N AIRS MO/ (!
WOM5'S PRO GAMES ON XS OV]FL[ /,N1
,,ESPN#B1 N MAK+ A 3C5TRAT$ EF=T 6RE,Y
PROMOTE ! L1GUE1 ASIDE F US+ ,,WNBA
PLAY]S Z ANALY/S = COLLEGE GAMES4
  ,,WNBA GAMES >E FUN1 B ! SC5E 9   #CII
,9DIANAPOLIS1 ": ! ,,NCAA ,F9AL ,F\R 0
HELD 9 #BJJE1 0 NUTS4 ,A C;Y NORM,Y PUL-
SAT+ )! S.D ( RACE C>S OR ,9DIANA ,PAC]S
GU>D ,RE7IE ,MILL]'S LE?AL ?REE-PO9T]S
GAVE WAY 6! WOM5'S GAME AT ! ,,RCA ,DOME
D[NT[N4 ,9DIANA IS A BASKETBALL /ATE4 ,!
EPIC /ORY (A RURAL #AIED HI< S*OOL BAS-
KETBALL T1M MAK+ X 6! /ATE *AMPION%IP
BUOY$ ! CLASSIC MOVIE .,HOOSI]S4 ,BO2Y
,KNI<T ) 8 SIGNATURE R$ SW1T] & 9FAM\S
SIDEL9E 2HAVIOR 2CAME ! FACE (! M5'S
COLLEGE GAME AT ,9DIANA ,UNIV]S;Y1 :ILE
,DUNN1 ) H] EQU,Y L\D ATTIRE & SIDEL9E
DEM1NOR1 _H BE5 A PRES;E 9 ! WOM5'S GAME
AT ,PURDUE ,UNIV]S;Y4
  8,BASKETBALL 9 "S POCKETS >.D ,AM]ICA1
= BO? M5 & WOM51 HAS ALW BE5 A WAY (
LIFE10 ,DUNN SD4 8,Y TALK AB BASEBALL 2+
! ,AM]ICAN PAS"T1 ,I ?9K BASKETBALL HAS
ALW BE5 A -MUN;Y ?+4 ,"EYBODY W5T 6!
BASKETBALL GAMES4 ,X 0 A "P ( LIFE1 "P (
! -MUN;Y40
  ,B AF A PAP] DIPLOMA SMACKS A PALM T
ONCE W[$ CR[DS ) SNAZZY DRI2L+ SKILLS OR
JUMP %OTS1 _M EXPECT ^? SAME WOM5   #DJJ
6PULL \ _! PONYTAIL1 RUB ON "S LIP/ICK1
& 2COME A "M 6"S MAN'S *N4 ,OR AT L1/
F9D A 8R1L0 C>E]4 ,M1N:ILE1 M5 :O PLAY !
SAME SPORT1 :O (T5 DON'T E>N _! DEGREES1
>E SYMPA?IZ$ )=! LOSS (! GAME 9 _! LIVES
OR = N HAV+ 5 TAL5T 6PLAY 9 ! PROS1 OR
!Y >E EAG]LY *E]$ = :AT !Y MI<T D ON !
PROFES.NAL LEVEL4 ,X'S A /ATUS ! WOM5
3T9U,Y FI<T = F ! G5]AL SPORTS-LOV+ PUB-
LIC4
      ,PICTURE3 ,/ORM =W>D ,LAUR5 ,JACK-
    SON W1VES "? EXCIT$ FANS )! ,,WNBA
    TROPHY DUR+ ! T1M'S *AMPION%IP CELE-
    BR,N 9 D[NT[N ,S1TTLE4
  ,& X'S N J 9 BASKETBALL4 ,OLYMPIC S(T-
BALL PIT*] ,J5NIE ,F9*1 :O />R$ AT !
,UNIV]S;Y ( ,>IZONA1 MAY 2 F1TUR$ 9 DE-
SIGN] H&BAG ADS1 W$D+ MAGAZ9E %OOTS1 &
9CLUD$ 9 E LI/ ( 8SEXY A?LETES0 2C (
CASCAD+ BLOND HAIR & BLUE EYES1 B H]
SPORT %>ES ! SAME /RU7LES ( A3EPT.E TO
SUPPORT A L1GUE Z ! ,,WNBA4 ,SL[LY !
TIDE IS *ANG+4 ,M WOM5 >E TAK+ AN [N]%IP
OR L1D]%IP ROLE 9 SPORTS1 WOM5
EXECUTIVES >E MIMICK+ M5 9 MAK+     #DJA
WOM5'S SPORT+ EV5TS "P ( CLI5T 5T]TA9;T1
& "Y P DON'T VIEW A WOMAN PROFES.NAL
HOOP/] Z AN O4;Y4 ,B H[ PATI5T C ! SEG;T
( 2LIEV]S BE8
  8,"!'S / A WAYS 6G4 ,! FACT T ! ,,WNBA
IS ? L"O B1CON \ "! 9 T]MS ( WOM5'S PRO
T1MS1 T'S N A GD SIGN10 SD ,K>5 ,BRYANT4
8,WE'RE DO+ :AT WE C4 ,B X'S L"OLY4 ,X'S
GRT 6SEE ! 3T9U$ ADV.E;T1 :E!R X'S PRIZE
M"OY OR PROMO;NAL OPPORTUNITIES1 = WOM5
T5NIS & GOLF PLAY]S4 ,B X'S TOO BAD "!
>5'T M OPPORTUNITIES = T1M SPORTS4 ,X
MAKES ! ROLE1 ! POSI;N (! ,,WNBA S M* M
IMPORTANT4 ,WE NE$ 63T9UE 6/RIVE 6BE
SU3ESS;L & GR[ S WE C PAVE ! WAY40
      ,PICTURE3 ,! ,/ORM CELEBRATE ATOP
    A MALL BALCONY ) AB #E1JJJ FANS AT
    _! AFN P>ADE4 ,GOV]NOR ,G>Y ,LOCKE &
    MAYOR ,GREG ,NICKELS 7 AL "P (! FES-
    TIVITIES4




                                    #DJB
























               ,EPILOGUE            #DJC

  ,! PICTURE 0 SURR1L4 ,ON A LAZY1 SUNNY
,S1TTLE AFN 9 ,SEPTEMB]1 ,JACKSON SAT
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%OTS & PRIME-"T PLAYS 0GU>D ,TI*A ,P5I-
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LEGS ( #G-FOOT-#B ,SUN C5T] ,M>GO ,DYDEK
ON A FA/ BR1K4
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BITT]4 ,! ,/ORM F9I%$ XS S1SON AT #BJ-AD
=! SECOND 3SECUTIVE YE>1 B ! T1M EXIT$ !
PO/S1SON E>LY1 LOS+ 6! ,H\/ON ,-ETS 9 A
BE/-(-?REE F/ R.D4 ,! PLAY(FS _H SEEM$
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96,H\/ON 6! 4MAY ( S"EAL ,HURRICANE ,KA-
TR9A SU6]]S :O 7 ATT5D+ ! GAME = FREE1
HAV+ BE5 EVACUAT$ F _! HOMES 9      #DJD
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A REB.D 9 ! REGUL>-S1SON F9ALE TWO "DS
E>LI]1 0 A DEF5SIVE M5ACE4 ,%E TOTAL$
#AI PO9TS1 #AC REB.DS1 & TWO BLOCKS1
HELP+ ! T1M TAKE A #CC-BH L1D 96HALF"T
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WRI/ B.D 9 /IFF TAPE 6PROTECT "PI,Y TORN
LIGA;TS1 ,L5NOX SCOR$ #AG ( H] F9AL #AH
PO9TS 9 ! SECOND HALF 6PRES]VE ! W94 ,%E
EV5 F.D T1MMATE ,JANELL ,BURSE 9SIDE =
AN ASSI/ T IGNIT$ A #AB-C RUN4 ,M1N:ILE1
,BRAZILIAN =W>D ,IZIANE ,CA/RO ,M>QUES
3T9U$ H] DEF5SIVE "W ON ,-ETS =W>D ,%]YL
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#F-(-#AH %OOT+ F ! FIELD 7#AE PO9TS74 ,!
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#AC-D1 WD GIVE !M A SWEEP &A WEEK 6PRE-
P>E =! 3F];E F9ALS4 ,!Y NE$$ D[N"T =
,JACKSON & ,L5NOX'S 9JURIES4
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Z ! ,/ORM TOOK ! C\RT = ,GAME #B4   #DJE
,AF HAV+ WON N9E 3SECUTIVE GAMES 9 !
>5A1 ! ,/ORM CRUM#D ) TWO M9UTES REMA9+
9 ! DECISIVE MAT*UP4 ,H\/ON COA* ,VAN
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ROLL1 & ,S1TTLE DIDN'T ADJU/ QKLY1
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MATELY LOSE #FG-FD AT HOME4 ,H\/ON1 :O
_H WON ! L1GUE'S F/ F\R TITLES1 SQUA%$ !
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! L1GUE'S ,,MVP AW>D1 RECORD$ ! F/
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#AJ REB.DS1 & #AJ ASSI/S4 ,KEY,>5A1 :
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( ,GAME #C1 %E 0 PLAY+ HOT POTATO )
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ON ! TRAD+ BLOCK PRIOR 6! S1SON1 ,GRI6I?
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CREEP+ AGE1 & DEM&S = M M"OY4 ,H] ,/ORM
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SIGN$ A ?REE-YE> 3TRACT ) ,*>LOTTE WOR?
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(! D1L1 : 0 GU>ANTE$ M"OY DESPITE ANY
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  8,I DIDN'T F9D \ UNTIL R1L LATE 2C ,I
0 9 ,ITALY10 SD ,L5NOX1 :O GRUDG-   #DJH
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A L;G-T]M D1L4 8,I REMEMB] TRY+ 6GET
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?9K T'S ! NATURE (! BUSI;S40
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AGRE$ 6REPORT AF VISIT+ HOME FOLL[+ H]
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SIGN$ Z A FREE AG5T 9 ,APRIL4 ,DONOVAN
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M9UTE SIGN AF ,AU/RALIAN ,JESSICA ,BI2Y
CDN'T PLAY DUE 6A SEV]E BACK 9JURY4
,RUSSIAN ,OLYMPIAN ,NATALIA
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A4I;N1 SURVIV+ TRA9+ CAMP ) H] PROMIS+
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NEWS4 ,NEWSPAP]S & TELEVI.N /,NS GIVE
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BASEBALL1 REG>D.S ( CR[D SIZE1 B    #DAG
CLAIM ! ,,WNBA ISN'T WOR? EQUAL TR1T;T
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S5SE1 ESPECI,Y S9CE "S (! ,,WNBA'S FANS
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M"OY =A DY+ NEWSPAP] 9DU/RY GRASP+ AT
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         ,BIBLIOGRAPHIC ,NOTES      #DBC

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