NBA Lockout: reason for optimism?
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NBA Lockout: reason for optimism?
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After taking six days apart from one another, the NBA and the NBA Player's Association spent more than 15 hours at the bargaining table on Wednesday (and into Thursday). These extended labor negotiations, the first since last Thursday's epic failure inside a different swanky New York City hotel, began at high noon and went past 3 a.m.
When the session finally broke apart (this time without vitriol), the two sides seemed to have made at least some progress toward their next collective bargaining agreement -- and toward saving the NBA season. Although an agreement has certainly not yet been reached, progress was made on system issues, and the potential for a deal seems to exist.
The two sides have agreed to continue meeting on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Wednesday's meeting produced guarded optimism after months filled mostly with frustration and pessmism.
The NBA Player's Union spoke first, at approximately 3:30 a.m. The NBA spoke afterward, beginning at approximately 3:45 a.m.
NBA commissioner David Stern called the day a "solid day of negotiations" and union president Derek Fisher and union chief Billy Hunter said, "Depending on how much progress is made tomorrow, we'll be prepared to discuss specifics of a deal."
Both sides seemed to agree that an outside possibility existed -- if a deal was reached sometime in the next few days -- that a full 82-game schedule could still be played. Stern said he's expressed to the union that, given all of the considerations, the league will do its best to play as many games as possible, whether that's a full 82-game schedule or something very close to it no one could yet say.
Fisher and Hunter said Wednesday's session focused primarily on the system issues and didn't touch the split of basketball revenue (BRI). Neither side would go into detail about progress made, saying that until a full deal was reached, it made no sense to become excited over progress made on other issues.
"I think we'll turn to the split when we finish with the system," Stern said.
"I have a pretty good idea on what they would like, and we'll be back at 2 p.m. to see what we can do for them," Stern said.
Although the lengthy bargaining session produced a certain level of optimism, both sides made sure to temper any enthusiasm. Stern said: "I can't describe it other than to say it's better than not making any progress at all." And when Fisher was asked about the possibility that a deal was near, Fisher cautiouned that huge system hurdles still existed.
"There's no deal on anything unless there's a deal on everything," Stern concluded.
The negotiations will continue tomorrow -- today, Thursday -- at 2 p.m.
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
This doesn't matter much to NBA fans. When they sign the new agreement, there will still be guaranteed contracts and that means the chances of the 76ers becoming a legitimate contender is nowhere in sight. We are years away from even the possibility that they can bring in some free agent who can put them over the top. But if they sign the wrong guy, again, we're done.— MikeP- who cares?— cm3737
- I agree- who cares? Let the players get real jobs and see what its like!— Phillyfan among the NYers
- Better not come back unless the new system is fair to all teams. Otherwise, the NBA is a joke.— PortCity
- With the NFL playing games on Sunday and Monday and Baseball winding down, I'm starting to miss the NBA action that is normally just kicking off. As a real Philadelphia sports fan I think I finally realize who the people are who make negative comments. It's the wives of the sports fans trying to get their husbands back and away from the television. Pretty good plot, but it won't work :^)
Thanks kate for the update— rayzoe - If you folks really don't care. why do you read an article about an update on negotiations? Do you really go out of your way, sped valuable time reading about something you don't care about? Do really go to such efforts to express your hatred of the NBA? Are you that desperate for someone to take notice of your ideas? You need help!
- I don't care either. I hope they never come back, it would turn more eyes to hockey and maybe switch the focus to NCAA basketball (Temple to Big East!!!) . My time is valuable, but I work nights, so my house is empty. I read the article because, even though I hate the NBA, I recognize that Kate has busted her a-- since she started and I that what she writes is worth 4 minutes of my day. I'm not desperate at all. Just following my city's sports. and supporting its writers. She works. I recognize it. I read. I comment. I hope her boss reads this. — CornerPretzelGuy
- LOL- Thanks for that rayzoe. Tired of seeing these posers who act like they don't care. If you really don't care about basketball why are you reading and posting on a basketball article first thing in the morning?— 76ers in 2076
- What are the "system issues"? I hope they are addressing the guaranteed contracts (no more Matt Geiger deals) and the trade rules (expiring contracts, matching salaries, etc.)— hopkins41
Comment removed.- I couldn't imagine a bigger or better impact on pro basketball than being able to cut and stop paying underperforming players. Think about how much harder the middle of the road guys would play if they had to look over their shoulder throughout the 82 game season...— TongueWagger
- of course they will reach an agreement. its all about money and they know the fans will come back and fork out the big dollars to see this underacheivers go thru the motions most nights,meet some girl after the game and the home fans are upset for days if they lose.
Most of the guys in the NBA couldnt earn a decent living without basketball and should thank the owners for allowing them to make the big bucks.
I hope the season is cancelled so that these guys understand where they really stand in this economy.the owners will still have their millions, and the fans will somehow survive .— gardner - Rayzoe Rayzoe Raaaacckkkkss!!!— laidintheshade
The haters aside.... I am looking forward to see what they tweak on the roster. I also can't wait to see what progress Evan Turner has made. He has made so much progress from year to year in the past.- To the people who don't care or have to see a champion or they stink; get a life. It's much more enjoyable to watch players grow into stars than to ship them in. The NBA is broken but I like to watch the young players grow and mature in the game.— Old Head
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
