Wednesday, February 24, 1999

NBA interest
on a decline

Fifty-two percent of those
polled in Hawaii say they
don't really care

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

The resumption of play this month in the National Basketball Association doesn't interest many people in Hawaii, according to a recent Honolulu Star-Bulletin/ Hawaii News 8 poll.

Asked to state their level of interest in the NBA after the lockout, 52 percent said they don't care.

Another 23 percent said their interest was low. Only 7 percent said their interest was very high.

Asked if they were more or less interested in this year's games than last year's, a resounding 60 percent said less.

Only 9 percent said they had more interest.

On the question of whether or not the retirement of Michael Jordan affected their interest in the NBA, 61 percent said it didn't while 32 percent said it did.

"With Michael Jordan no longer playing, what's the use?" asked Mary Kaye Grieder of Red Hill.

"I have four men in my family and they watch no matter what. But me -- I watched it when Michael was playing. I liked the example he set for my kids. He was one of the exceptional people."

William Sannar said he doesn't feel the NBA cares about its fans.

"I'm a little tired of these players," he said. "They're overpaid. Between them and the owners, the public gets the shaft. The public does not get to see what these guys are being paid to do."

Bernice Freitas of Maui said her interest is a little higher in the NBA's shortened season. "Any kind of change spurs me on a little more," she said.

And she doesn't miss Jordan.

"He had his day. Now let him go his way and leave us alone."

George Burns of Honolulu said he's delighted to have the NBA back. "I'm trying to get as much knowledge as I can about basketball. My interest this year is the same as last year."

Craig Murayama of Honolulu said he was "tired of the strikes."

He said his interest is down because of the lockout and the fact that MJ has tossed in the towel.

Mililani's Michael White said he is interested, but his level is low.

"It was the prolonged lockout, the salaries and the attitudes of the players," said White.

"They should've kept them locked out and made them get a real job for a year. I love college ball, and I find it more exciting. I never used to get into the pros until the playoffs, anyway."