Letters

New Ball

Alexander Wolff does a beautiful job wrapping up The Other Basketball (June 13), defined so well by And1. I admire these new basketball wizards who have raised fooling around to a new level of excitement and have not forgotten how to simply have fun. Good for them.

Wight Martindale Jr. Gladwyne, Pa.

For nine-plus years I have watched my daughter grow in her chosen profession--public relations and marketing--at And1. How ironic and sad that an article about the company finally appeared in SI one week after she, and 39 other people (including one of the founders), lost their jobs. American Sporting Goods of Irvine ( Calif. ) took over And1, as noted in your article. I hope the new owners will continue to offer the tour and tapes that reach so many young athletes so that And1 and its revolutionary approach to basketball will be more than just a memory.

Marty Cecil, Galion, Ohio

I didn't know you were going to devote a cover to "This Week's Sign of the Apocalypse." When anyone asks why basketball, especially in the U.S. , is going down the tubes, I'll just pull out the June 13 issue.

Rocco J. Buda Canton, Ohio

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Founding Father

It is despicable that George Mikan , The Original Big Man (June 13) of pro basketball, had to live his final years on a pension of approximately $1,700 a month. As today's players celebrate their new contract, maybe they should try to rectify this monumental injustice. At least Shaq had the decency to provide for a proper burial.