Unseld Testifies In Name Change

Washington Bullets general manager Wes Unseld testified he opposed changing the name of the team to the Washington Wizards in the 1997-98 season.

But he gives little weight to a trademark infringement complaint brought by a comedy basketball troupe, the Harlem Wizards, which sued the NBA and the Bullets to block the name change.

The Bullets and the NBA are seeking to show that even with the same name, fans would not mistake the two teams. They also argue that the Harlem Wizards have a weak claim because other sports teams use the Wizards name.

The Harlem Wizards, based in North Bergen, N.J., have used the name since about 1960. They contend that the NBA team will come to dominate all associations with the Wizard name, hurting the troupe.

The San Antonio Spurs brought back guard Vernon Maxwell, signing the player they had traded to the Houston Rockets in 1990. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walt Williams, who couldn’t find a team willing to meet his contract price, signed a one-year deal with Toronto for the NBA minimum $247,500.

Disgruntled Clifford Robinson says he’s still upset with the way he has been treated by the Portland Trail Blazers, but will not hold out if the team doesn’t go along with his wishes to be traded.

His comments were a stark departure from those made recently by Robinson’s agent, Brad Marshall, who had said Robinson might not be in training camp if no deal is made or the Blazers don’t make sure he will get a hefty new contract.