News from June 25.

Orlando released Gerald Wilkins.

New Jersey named Don Casey as head coach.  Casey was the interim coach
last season after John Calipari was fired March 15.  Casey reportedly
signed a 3 year, $3.5 million contract, but only the first year is
guaranteed.

Vin Baker (Sea) exercised the option in his contract to become a free
agent.

Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) announced that he will not exercise his option to
become a free agent.  [This was not a surprise as O'Neal will earn a lot
more under his existing contract than he could under a new contract due 
to the new salary cap rules.]


SA 78, NY 77 - at NY
Tim Duncan (SA) had 31 points and 9 rebounds.
David Robinson (SA) had 15 points including 5-14 FG and 12 rebounds.
Mario Elie (SA) had 10 points including 2-6 FG and 6 rebounds.
Jaren Jackson (SA) had 11 points.
Larry Johnson (NY) had 7 points including 3-10 FG and 6 rebounds.
Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 35 points including 8-10 FT and 10 rebounds.
Allan Houston (NY) had 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Avery Johnson (SA) hit the game winning long baseliner with 47 seconds
left.
Patrick Ewing (NY, partial tear left Achilles) did not play.
San Antonio takes the series 4-1 and are the NBA Champions!
San Antonio finished the playoffs with a record of 15-2 - the second best
playoff record in NBA history, behind 82-83 Philadelphia's record of 12-1.
Tim Duncan (SA) was named as the Finals MVP.  He averaged 27 points and 14
rebounds in the series.

Thus ends the 98-99 season.
The NBA draft takes place June 30.  
Teams can start negotiating with free agents July 1, but can not start
signing free agents until August 1.
The Americas Olympic qualifying tournament, in which a team of mostly NBA
players will compete, takes place July 14-25.
Training camp opens October 5.
The 1999-2000 season starts November 2.


Playoff Standings
  1st Round       2nd Round             3rd Round              Finals
 (Best of 5)     (Best of 7)           (Best of 7)           (Best of 7)
1 SA (3)  ___
8 Min (1)    |_ 1 San Antonio (4) _
              _ 4 LA Lakers (0)    |
4 LAL (3) ___|                     |_ 1 San Antonio (4) _
5 Hou (1)                           _ 2 Portland (0)     |
                                   |                     |
2 Por (3) ___                      |                     |
7 Pho (0)    |_ 2 Portland (4) ____|                     |
              _ 3 Utah (2)                               |
3 Uta (3) ___|                                           |
6 Sac (2)                                                |_ 1 San Antonio (4)
                                                          _ 8 New York (1)
                                                         |
1 Mia (2) ___                                            |
8 NY (3)     |_ 8 New York (4) ____                      |
              _ 4 Atlanta (0)      |                     |
4 Atl (3) ___|                     |                     |
5 Det (2)                          |_ 8 New York (4) ____|
                                    _ 2 Indiana (2) 
2 Ind (3) ___                      |
7 Mil (0)    |_ 2 Indiana (4)     _|
              _ 6 Philadelphia (0)
3 Orl (1) ___|
6 Phi (3)