Letters

Richard Williams is living proof that you can buy everything but class.
—Enrique Schneider, El Paso

Life with Father
While S.L. Price may be right that Richard Williams has brilliantly guided the tennis careers of his daughters Venus and Serena, both sisters have demonstrated a surprising lack of professionalism, particularly during close matches at major tournaments (Who's Your Daddy? May 31). Their in-your-face attitude will never substitute for proper court conduct. Venus and Serena are both amazing athletes, but they do not command the same kind of respect as players like Steffi Graf, Monica Seles or Mary Joe Fernandez.
Greg Silkensen, Longmont, Colo.

I am disgusted with the article on the Williams family. The city of Compton was good to them. We, as I remember it, gave Mr. Williams a key to Tragniew Park so his girls could practice at any time. This park had two of the best tennis courts in the state of California. How much did they pay? It was free. The courts did require upkeep by city crews. Mrs. Williams said, "I was ashamed to say I lived in Compton." I am proud to say I live in Compton.
Maxcy D. Filer, Compton, Calif.

Huzzahs for Hamm
Grant Wahl should not be so critical of Mia mania (SCORECARD, May 31). Girls need role models, and there could not be a better one than Mia Hamm. She has had this mantle of celebrity thrust upon her and has handled it with such poise and charm that she is adored by teammates, her young fans and their parents. Hamm's grace off the field is as important as her competitive spirit on the field.
Karen Mclntyre, Greenville, S.C.

Hamm is the finest soccer player, male or female, the U.S. has produced. As for her being "quite ordinary...in the tournaments that have counted most, she has been the Americans' fourth best goal scorer each time," there is so much more to being a good player than scoring. The hallmark of any exceptional athlete is her or his ability to improve the performance of teammates by setting an example or by making the right play to set someone else up to score. Hamm has consistently proved herself a leader.
Colleen Dion, Girard, Pa.

Man of the Moment
I enjoyed your article about Tim Duncan and the Spurs dismantling the confused and over-hyped Lakers (Easy Does It, May 31). The only issue I had with the article is your claim that Shaquille O'Neal "has to be the hardest worker in the league." Get real! If Shaq worked hard, he would have found a way to shoot better than 47.5% in this series from the free throw line.
Jim Newsome, Florence, Ky.

Duncan brings class to the NBA: college graduate, great work ethic and no attitude. I'll take his substance over the Lakers' style any day.
Chuck Houska, Clemmons, N.C.

Richard Hoffer hasn't been paying attention. He said that Tim Duncan doesn't have sex appeal. Duncan has plenty of sex appeal.
Heather Strouth, New Braunfels, Texas

Stamp Out Basketbrawl
The NBA can try all sorts of new rules in hopes of increasing scoring, but nothing will change until referees make calls as if they are officiating basketball games, not wrestling matches (SCORECARD, May 31). The refs should be forced to watch games from the 1960s and '70s, when basketball was a game of skill.
Mike Lorraine, Simi Valley, Calif.

Before changing the rules to improve scoring, the NBA should try something really radical: Enforce the current rules!
Mark A. Cavazos, Dallas