SALT LAKE CITY -- Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan, who has twice won Olympic gold medals while representing the United States, said yesterday that he would support a boycott of this summer's World Championships if NBA players are locked out.

With owners looking to reopen the Collective Bargaining Agreement to address escalating salaries, a lockout appears likely when the current agreement expires on July 1. The USA Basketball team, consisting of NBA players, is scheduled to begin play in the World Championships in Athens, Greece, on July 29.

"I support [a boycott] because if you're going to lock the players out for a new pact that you already agreed upon. ," Jordan said.

Stern said that the NBA would make decisions in the best interests of its 29 teams.

"If the individual players decide to trash their country, that's going to be their decision," Stern said. "The NBA's a separate enterprise, and we'll approach it separately."

Pub Date: 6/05/98