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A Quiet and Steady Pace Helps the Spurs Travel Far Six years after they won their first championship, the Spurs are aiming for a third title and making a case for dynastic consideration. Man Arrested for Allegedly Making Bomb Threat A 42-year-old man was arrested during the first half of the Pistons-Heat game after a bomb threat was called in at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Miller Backs $3.5 Billion Plan for Brooklyn Sports Complex Developer Bruce Ratner won a key ally in his push for city approval of the project to build an arena, office, and apartment complex in Downtown Brooklyn.   O'Neal Will Pay for Mikan's Funeral Karl Suspended for Draft Violations Sampson Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Join a Discussion on The N.B.A. George Mikan, the first superstar in modern professional basketball, died on Wednesday. Share your thoughts on his career. • Related Article • More Sports Forums VIEWPOINT/LETTERS When Do the Lakers Start the Playoffs? Dear Dr. Buss, George Mikan, 80; Minneapolis Laker Legend and NBA's 'First True Superstar' George Mikan, a giant of the early days of the National Basketball Assn. who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships as he transformed the role of the "big man," has died. Back in the Day, Mikan Was the Man in the NBA George Mikan died at age 80 this week, too soon for those who were close to him but, fortunately, not too soon for the Lakers, the NBA and everyone who benefited from this giant man who altered basketball. Fox's Airing of Ebersol Tribute Is Show of Class   In an era of excessive self-promotion and self-indulgence in sports television, every once in a while a network will simply do the right thing. League Rejects Union's Offers NBA labor talks stalled Wednesday after a 2 1/2 -hour meeting in New York, less than a month before a lockout would begin. Countdown Begins for Jackson, Lakers By Mike Bresnahan Former coach returns from Montana holiday and will soon make a decision on his future. Heat at Its Best for Shaq By Mike Bresnahan Miami wins at Detroit, 113-104, for a 2-1 series lead, and ex-Laker says it's his finest team ever. Does Anyone Want to Be Responsible for All This?   I don't look at myself as an NBA writer. I look at myself as a leader who happens to write an NBA column. His Next Shower Will Be in the Fountain of Youth   Let me explain why I was so intent on talking to someone my own age Saturday night, someone who could relate to the best, bygone days of his own life, and why it brought me to Steve Finley. Taking Short Route to Success   In her first start on the main track, Short Route was successful. The California-bred daughter of Mud Route won by a head at 52-1 in her career debut last Aug. 1 at Del Mar. Waiting Game Is Heavy in Fan Participation   To the drumbeat of bored fingers rapping impatiently on the tabletop, we roll out the new pastime of the Southern California sports fan. Laker Fans Looking to Make a Big Deal   Hey, Miami, you give us Shaq and we will give you Kobe, Kupchak and Buss. We like the three-for-one deal. A Pick With so Many Choices   The Lakers could go in any of several directions with their highest NBA draft selection in 11 years. They have a month to decide. Voice of the Indy 500 Black-Flagged   Paul Sunderland and Paul Page have something in common besides first names. Both are victims of sagging ratings. Lakers, Clippers Fail to Rock Lottery System   The Lakers and Clippers did not move up in the NBA draft order, but the Milwaukee Bucks defied minuscule percentages and intimidating probabilities to take the biggest prize offered at Tuesday's draft lottery. Pistons Turn Back Clock to Beat O'Neal and Heat   Detroit's tough defense in a 90-81 win over Miami is eerily similar to what Pistons did in 2004 to Lakers. They're in an Odd Spot   Lakers' title runs give way to dreams of the No. 1 pick in tonight's NBA draft lottery Kareem Springs a Shanghai Surprise   Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is at a basketball camp in Shanghai, leading a course for 55 young Asian players called "Basketball Psychology and Attitude." Even With No Lakers, Bryant Still a Big Target   The Lakers' season is long over, but apparently it remains open season on bashing the Lakers in general and Kobe Bryant in particular. Pistons Take On O'Neal Again Detroit may use familiar defense on Miami's center, whose playing status is uncertain. Shaq Still Plays the Heavy in Playoff Drama   For Laker fans, to whom Miami's success is like a dagger in the heart, who feel like gagging, or crying, when they see Shaquille O'Neal doing one of his comedy numbers, here's the good news: The Rap on Shaq? His Singing Comes Up Short   Ex-Laker Shaquille O'Neal may be winning with his new Miami Heat team, but if it's any consolation to Kobe Bryant fans, Shaq's career as a rap singer has been anything but a slam dunk. Lakers in Neutral as Playoffs Shift Gears   DALLAS — With Jerry Buss about to leave for six weeks in Europe and a relaxed pace of negotiations with Phil Jackson, it looks as if we can pull our staff off full alert. Piston Win Has an Air of Finality Detroit takes a big lead from the opening minutes and cruises to a 103-81 victory over the Lakers, who fall to 6-8 without Bryant.