11.   The league also wants to phase out the salary cap exception, which allows a team to exceed the cap in signing its own free-agent player.

12.   The Knicks have a clear advantage in the Mason sweepstakes, because teams can exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agents.

13.   They oppose a luxury tax on the re-signing of a free agent that causes his team to exceed the cap.

14.   Under this rule, teams can exceed the salary cap to sign their own free agents.

15.   Karl still insists the team has exceeded his own expectations despite a roster with two All-Stars and a wealth of offensive talent.

16.   Teams can exceed the cap when re-signing their own players.

17.   The Bird rule allows teams to exceed the salary cap to retain their own free agents.

18.   The national team already has exceeded pre-tournament expectations by reaching the final.

19.   Frankie Hejduk, one of a dozen players in the US squad who play in Europe, admitted the team had exceeded all expectations.

20.   Under NBA rules, teams can exceed the salary cap to retain players on the team the previous season.