If you believe David Stern then yesterday was the day that determined the fate of the 2011-12 NBA season. Stern’s idle words of “progress needs to be made or else” might be legit. His drop dead date could just come one day late.
Today marks the most important bargaining/screaming session during this now three-month long lockout.
Derek Fisher knows the season hangs in the balance today and said as much yesterday.
"“There will be a lot of pressure on all of us in the room, and we’ll accept that responsibility and go in and see what we can get worked out.”"
Unfortunately it doesn’t look likely that much good will come of today’s session. With time ticking neither side has made any significant concessions. Things have become so dire and desperate that high-powered agents are even pleading with their clients to take a stand.
Problem is taking a stand means certain doom for the season.
Kobe Bryant has one foot in Italy. Deron Williams is already enjoying Turkish delight. Seemingly half of the Denver Nuggets’ roster has been exported to China. For good measure Mr. Nice Guy, Dwyane Wade, is yelling at Commissioner Stern.
So tell me how any of this mess will be solved with one 7-hour session?
I’m not abandoning all hope. But I’m certainly bracing myself for the worst. The players have proven themselves to be indifferent to this whole process. The owners never seemed concerned with missing the entire season.
So I’d suggest getting yourself a satellite. That’s going to be the only way to see your favorite ballers this year.