Archive for November, 2011

Can’t say we didn’t see this coming. I think we all knew the NBA season was in jeopardy the moment the lockout began. Both sides were as far apart as the McCourts so getting a deal done was always going to be a longshot. What is also not too shocking is that in the wake of the union choosing to dissolve and sue is that Pau Gasol is rethinking his immediate hoops future. Not too long ago Gasol stated his desire to remain in the state despite the lockout then. Then Pau played for Spain in the EuroBasket championships. After [...]

And just like that the NBA season could be all but over. There is no real surprise in the union rejecting the last and supposedly best offer from the owners. If there is any intrigue it is how quickly the players met, mulled and moved on from the offer. David Stern issued a warning that after this offer the size of the pie allocated to the players will only shrink. Thus the union is going to take the leap off the decertification cliff. Disbanding the union is a move long overdue. A move that should have been made months ago, [...]

Yes, we know that every day is critical these days when it comes to NBA labor talks. Last week David Stern had a drop dead date that has since been extended. This week begins with the players mulling over what is supposed to be the last and best offer from the owners. To date Kobe Bryant hasn’t exactly put himself into the labor fray. Proving just how crucial today is Bryant is in attendance as the players consider an offer that, if accepted, would call for a December start date to the season. Now just because Kobe has publicly supported [...]

Yes, David Stern, this is how out of balance things have become no thanks to your greedy owners. Suddenly the man that has the most sensible take on the NBA lockout is none other than Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest. How this has happened is about as good a snapshot as you’ll get on the ludicrous lockout that threatens the NBA season. Mark Medina of the L.A. Times quotes World Peace who stopped to talk during a promo for Sungevity at Hollywood & Highland yesterday. “Instead of trying to become basketball players and a rapper, get a degree or [...]

Suddenly NBA lockout negotiations have turned into a game of tennis. One day the ball is in the owner’s court. The next the ball rests in front of the players. More marathon talks have yielded the same results as ever – nothing. To think we’re any closer to seeing a season now than we were two days or even two months ago is foolish. There is no way to comprehend this labor strife any longer. The owners demand a 50-50 split. The plays oblige. Nothing. The players demand a soft cap. The owners oblige. Nothing. No news is truly no [...]

It took four months but the players have finally turned the table on the owners in this ridiculous NBA lockout. After months of contentious deadlines and dealings the NBA owners have finally reached the crossroads. Despite all the rumors of decertification and union dissention, the players stood as a united front in rejecting the current proposal. They then turned around, rolled up their sleeves and got right back to the negotiating table. By being willing to accept an even revenue split, the players have put the onus on the owners. Now all eyes shift towards the owners and their infighting. [...]

For at least a few hours yesterday it appeared as if the Players were all finally on the same page. With a deadline looming today the players union called an 11th hour meeting yesterday. As expected, the players unanimously rejected the current offer which is set to expire today. What was a bit of a surprise is that the union has agreed to an even split of Basketball Related Income given a few concessions are met in the new CBA. You would think the ball is now in the owner’s court. Problem is it would appear as if the owners [...]

Today’s meeting amongst NBA player reps might be a formality. When next we hear from Derek Fisher it could be to officially inform David Stern that his union isn’t going to accept the offer on the table. In that case Stern’s Wednesday deadline might be a moot point. Next stop – Christmas without NBA hoops. No matter what comes of the players meeting today something is abundantly clear. There is no consensus on either side of this labor strife. Some players want to vote on the deal now. Others want to vote on decertifying. Some owners want an answer on [...]

By the time Shaquille O’Neal’s tell-all book is released all will have been told. In fact, most has already been told before O’Neal ever put pen to paper. The latest bit to come trickling out of the book of Shaq is that he blames Mitch Kupchak for his exit from Los Angeles. According to the Big Diva, he and GM Mitch had a gentlemen’s agreement in place for a new contract. Well, we all know how that ultimately ended. Shaq got the big boot out of town and Kobe Bryant was the one who got the big deal. Shaq goes [...]

Bill Plaschke likened it to the Kennedy assassination. Though not nearly the same type of tragedy nor historical importance, Magic Johnson’s abrupt retirement from the NBA due to HIV gave the sports world a shock similar to learning of the death of a U.S. President. I’ll never forget where I was or what I was doing twenty years ago today. I had just got home from school when the phone rang. On the other end was the familiar voice of my father. What was unfamiliar was his tone. In a very calculated manner he instructed me to turn on the [...]