The Nba

Off-season Chatter

Much of the talk around the NBA this summer is centering on intriguing rookies and players trying to make comebacks. Sacramento King guard Bobby Hurley, who was nearly killed in an auto accident last December, is certainly the most keenly watched comeback story. Hurley finished playing last week in the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league in Salt Lake City, where he showed that, although he hasn't made it all the way back, he is making a remarkable recovery. King officials expect him to be ready for the start of training camp in October.

Hurley hasn't regained full strength in his left shoulder, which was fractured in the accident, but he was encouraged by his play in Utah, where he averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 assists in six games. "My quickness is O.K., which is what I was concerned about," he said, referring to the torn right knee ligament he suffered in the crash. "Everything's coming back—some things faster than others."

While Hurley works on starting over, a pair of Philadelphia 76er rookies are trying to make a fast start. The two Sixer first-round picks, center-forward Sharone Wright from Clemson and guard B.J. Tyler out of Texas, have drawn good reviews around the league for their summer play. "Wright's showing people that he's already an accomplished low-post player, better than Shawn Bradley [the Sixers' 7'6" center]," said one NBA general manager. "As for Tyler, I'm already kicking myself for not taking him, and the season hasn't started yet."