Players Could Push For Vote

[nickagneta]

You guys really have to read the Hoopshype rumor page more and see some of the stuff coming out about the anger and unity of the players.

I really think you are underestimating the resolve of the players simply because you see most of the stars being associated with speaking out against the 50/50 and only the very occasional lower paid player saying they want to play.

Also the executive board won't even take the proposal to the players for a vote and those guys are all mid-level or lower players. Most of the team reps and alternative reps are also mid level or lower guys and they are firmly pro union in their stance.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that 70% of the union would take this deal which is probably going to give the owners a larger share of the BRI especially early in the CBA when it most likely the BRI expected revenues won't be met.

[Roy H.]

You guys really have to read the Hoopshype rumor page more and see some of the stuff coming out about the anger and unity of the players.

I really think you are underestimating the resolve of the players simply because you see most of the stars being associated with speaking out against the 50/50 and only the very occasional lower paid player saying they want to play.

Also the executive board won't even take the proposal to the players for a vote and those guys are all mid-level or lower players. Most of the team reps and alternative reps are also mid level or lower guys and they are firmly pro union in their stance.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that 70% of the union would take this deal which is probably going to give the owners a larger share of the BRI especially early in the CBA when it most likely the BRI expected revenues won't be met.

I think you're probably right that 70% of the players wouldn't take the deal now.  If nothing else, those players know that at least 30% of their peers are strongly opposed to the deal right now, so many players will go along with the decertification route for now, to see if it resolves things.

Now, if we're on the cusp of the season being cancelled tow months from now, and this deal is still the only one on the table, I can see the majority of players wanting to take it.  For now, though, it's probably still a little premature.

[Chris]

You guys really have to read the Hoopshype rumor page more and see some of the stuff coming out about the anger and unity of the players.

I really think you are underestimating the resolve of the players simply because you see most of the stars being associated with speaking out against the 50/50 and only the very occasional lower paid player saying they want to play.

Also the executive board won't even take the proposal to the players for a vote and those guys are all mid-level or lower players. Most of the team reps and alternative reps are also mid level or lower guys and they are firmly pro union in their stance.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that 70% of the union would take this deal which is probably going to give the owners a larger share of the BRI especially early in the CBA when it most likely the BRI expected revenues won't be met.

I think you're probably right that 70% of the players wouldn't take the deal now.  If nothing else, those players know that at least 30% of their peers are strongly opposed to the deal right now, so many players will go along with the decertification route for now, to see if it resolves things.

Now, if we're on the cusp of the season being cancelled tow months from now, and this deal is still the only one on the table, I can see the majority of players wanting to take it.  For now, though, it's probably still a little premature.

Maybe I am overthinking things, but I think Stern might be setting things up for a month from now.  This ultimatum makes little sense right now.  The way he presented it, there is no way the players can accept it and save any face.

Since the two sides are truly at a stalemate (at least that is what I believe is the case), Stern had to do something to set the players up for a "victory" down the line, while knowing that the owners are not going to budge any more. 

So, what he has done here is given them an out.  They are all very angry right now, and there is no way they will even put it to a vote.  However, if, after the owners take this off the table, Stern is able to talk them in to put it back on one last time a month from now, before the entire season is cancelled (and after the players have missed more paychecks, and it has sunk in that decertification is just going to delay the innevitable, and cost them more money), Hunter and the players can actually come out of that negotiating session, saying how he called Stern's bluff, and they still got the deal in time to save the season.

Now, I am not sure this will actually work, but I have a feeling this might be what Stern is counting on, as a last ditch effort to bring the two sides together.

[Roy H.]

Looks like Steve Blake is leading the charge:

Lakers guard Steve Blake has been active on phones, encouraging peers to push team player reps to ask NBPA for vote on deal, sources tell Y!

http://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/133684108839747584

Blake vs. Pierce.  Those are probably pretty fair representatives of the two competing player positions.

[Roy H.]

Kevin Martin thinks the players should take 50/50, too:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/11/07/kevin.martin.nba.labor/index.html

[greenpride32]

More guys willing to take the current offer:
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/216405/Two_Agents_Claim_All_19_Of_Their_Clients_Want_To_Accept_Owners_Offer

[nickagneta]

Then of course there is this:

Adrian Wojnarowski: Despite Blake's efforts, conversations w/ agents and players today suggest there's still much stronger support for rejecting league offer. Twitter

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: #Cavs player rep Anthony Parker confirms to Plain Dealer he's in favor of rejecting NBA proposal. Same is true of teammates he's spoken with Twitter

[Chris]

Then of course there is this:

Adrian Wojnarowski: Despite Blake's efforts, conversations w/ agents and players today suggest there's still much stronger support for rejecting league offer. Twitter

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: #Cavs player rep Anthony Parker confirms to Plain Dealer he's in favor of rejecting NBA proposal. Same is true of teammates he's spoken with Twitter

The fact that they are even considering it is telling though.  Stern could be in a position where he can sweeten the pot just enough in the next two days, to push it over the edge...

[nickagneta]

The players shouldn't vote on a CBA until the union heads and executive committee know for a fact they can get a unanimous approval.

Why?

Because here is what will happen if the owner's proposal goes to vote and gets shot down in a close vote. The owners who have certain media members in their pockets will have these guys dig deep to find the names of the players who voted no and have them published. Then the media will play those players out as the ultimate greedy bad guys who ruined the 2011-12 NBA season.

This then is going to cause hard feelings between union brothers, NBA players and even team members. Teams could suffer because of it as players who desperately want to play will blame those that wanted nothing to do with the proposal. Locker room strife will be there, guaranteed.

No, if the proposal goes to a vote without prior knowledge of the outcome by the union's executive council as to the outcome of the vote, then they are doing their union members a huge disservice.