TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: CHARACTER ASSASSINATION 
Clue: Air Force gunner Snowden catches some flak & dies in Yossarian's arms, courtesy of this author

SOLUTION: heller

PROBLEM: Category: GOOD SPORTS 
Clue: This former L.A. Laker holds the NBA record for career points in the playoffs

SOLUTION: kareem abdul-jabbar

PROBLEM: Category: BALLOONS 
Clue: One of these is "sent up" to test public opinion

SOLUTION:
a trial balloon