If Phil Jackson were to mediate between the feuding sides in the NBA lockout he would probably offer this sage Buddhist wisdom – do nothing.
Sometimes in life we simply try too hard. We force the action somehow confusing our efforts for progress. There is something to be said for sitting back and simply allowing nature to take its course.
Zen teachings aside, it would appear as if nothing good will come of negotiations between the NBA and the player’s association at this point in time.
Recently I’ve been begging the two sides to get in the same room. Now I hope there is some kind of restraining order filed by one against the other to keep them apart.
Yesterday’s session resulted in Derek Fisher proclaiming the sides are about as close as Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards. Then today the NBA slaps a lawsuit on the NBAPA.
Ouch!
What are they going to do for an encore? Have a battle royale to determine the new language of the CBA?
All of these feelings of ill will are hardly shocking. We already knew this process was going to be infinitely more contentious than what the NFL just endured.
While I half jokingly say the two sides should refrain from getting any face time in the near future I do think they should learn from the NFL. Namely they should just sit around until the critical hour nears which will force the bargaining to move at an accelerated pace. NBA owners might be losing money but having a season at least ensures the opportunity to be profitable. By keeping the doors locked there is a 100% chance of a 0% profit margin. That’s the kind of math that gets negotiating up to speed in no time flat