Early Draft Inspires Some Breezy Responses

Following the current fashion, I am writing to let The Times know that I have decided to make myself eligible for the NBA draft.

I am a 45-year-old attorney who played forward in high school in Pennsylvania, intramural basketball in college, and many pickup games while attending law school at Pepperdine. In high school I got in plenty of playing time, mostly at the end of games, and scored points in several contests. I figure that these credentials will make me a high second-round pick.

KEVIN PARK

Agoura Hills

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Dateline: April 1, 2001:

Jerome Moiso, seldom-used first-round pick of the Vancouver Grizzlies, underwent emergency surgery to repair a broken nose suffered in the Grizzlies’ 137-68 loss to the Lakers. The injury occurred when Shaquille O’Neal blocked Moiso’s left-handed, fall-away 14-footer with his elbow, sending the ball crashing violently into Moiso. The injury comes on the heels of Jason Kapono’s whiplash, suffered while trying to guard Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady in practice. Meanwhile, JaRon Rush continues to shine for the Iowa Cropdusters, scoring 20 points with a CBA-record 10 alley-oop dunks before a frenzied 146 fans.

When asked for comment, Bruin Coach Steve Lavin, fresh off a 16-15 NIT quarterfinal season, pointed to his three Sweet 16 banners and announced that next year’s vaunted recruiting class of Tyson Chandler and Co. have given him a verbal commitment to stay at UCLA for at least one full season.

TIMOTHY JAMES KECK

La Palma

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So, Jerome Moiso and JaRon Rush have opted for the NBA draft. Has the word “sophomoric” ever been more appropriate?

SCOTT McCARTY

Camarillo