NBA Lockout

            
            The NBA Lockout is nearing Day 100 and there are still no positive signs that the season will begin on time, if at all. A few weeks ago NBA Commissioner stated that he would be happy if the 2011 season began in January .Today (Tuesday) though is expected to be a “very huge day” if the 2011 season is to begin on time. Owners and players will meet today for a “full bargaining session”. They have met all weekend and for a few hours on Monday, all in preparation for a full day’s work today. 
            Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers said of the weekend’s meetings, "A lot of signs point to tomorrow (Tuesday) being a very huge day. 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."

             

            The scheduled start to the season is on November 1, and already preseason camps and games have been cancelled. It seems like both sides, the owners and players, really want the season to start in November so maybe they’ll come to an agreement today.

             

            The two sides of the NBA Lockout are fighting for the same thing as the sides were fighting for in the NFL Lockout, a bigger piece of the revenue pie. The owners want a new salary cap setup and to reduce the players guarantee of revenues from 57% to 50% or lower. This is due to the fact that the owners (of each NBA team) reported a combined $300 million loss last season. Obviously, the players don’t want their guarantee to drop.  Even if a deal is settled on today, it could still take up to 30 days for all the paperwork and behind the scenes work to be completed.

            

             While the owners and a few players (Fisher and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics) are trying to solidify the future of the NBA, dozens of NBA players are out playing basketball on their own. Ever since the lockout began in early July, there have been “pick up” games all along the East Coast. In tiny college basketball arena’s, the biggest NBA stars are teaming up for their own competitive games. The latest of these contests will take place in Miami at Florida International University’s 5,000 seat basketball arena. The tickets for the game sold out in less than two hours. So who will those that have tickets get to see? Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Amare Stoudemire. Being able to see those players for just $50 a ticket is an incredible opportunity.

             

            While the best basketball players in the world pack field houses for basketball starved fans, one of these best players is nowhere to be seen. Kobe Bryant, in fact, may not even be in America If the season does happen to start on time. Bryant is on the verge of signing a 40-day, $3 million dollar contract for an Italian basketball team.

            Instead of trying to become even richer, Bryant should be in New York with Derek Fisher and Paul Pierce, trying to help the two sides come to an agreement. Other than Lebron James, Bryant is the most recognizable basketball player in the world. It is a disgrace that instead of supporting his league (which includes his teammates and fans) he is in Europe trying to make a few bucks.

             

            So what are the hometown Indiana Pacers up to during the lockout? Not much at all. I have not heard of any Pacers participating in those pickup games or trying to sign contracts in foreign countries. Starting center, Roy Hibbert, did make quite the appearance on the TV show “Parks and Recreation” though.

- I was going to try and post a video of Roy's scenes in here but NBC apparently hates free advertising so I can't do that. Just take my word for it that it's a great show and Roy was pretty funny.

             

            Whatever is decided after Tuesday’s meetings I will post here. Hopefully it will be good news!


UPDATED 10/4/2011 at 8:17 p.m. Commisioner David Stern has announced that the first two weeks of the regular season if a deal is not made by this upcoming Monday. No meetings are scheduled between now and then.