First of all I share your frustrations (Y'all got TPs for calling this lockout what it is - a bummer for the fans) over potential missed games and opportunities to see Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett play together one last time.
I am not at all surprised by the latest development which leaves both sides way far apart and threatens to do long term damage to the the Celtics and in fact the NBA.
What is more disturbing is the rhetoric coming out of Wyc Grousebeck's mouth on his being willing to miss a season to get a hard cap, non garenteed contracts, and a 33% paycut from the players. What does he have to gain by saying that? Did Danny and Doc privately tell them that the Big 3 era's window of opportunity is closed? Do they feel that Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant were going to play overseas if a lockout occured? Do they secretly want Ray Allen and KG to retire? Do they think that the Clippers, T-Wolves, Kings, Cavs, Hornets, and Bobcats are going to be contracted and we get Chris Paul, Kevin Love and Blake Griffen starting in October 2012? What the hell is going on around here, Wiki? Dannie? Naaaaah, What's up Doc <chews on carrot>?
Granted, some good can come out of all this.
1. David Stern retires (or get's taken out by the Mafia).
2. Bennett, Joey, and Ken Mauer gets placed in the nursing home.
3. The overpaid crybabies won't get new contracts and take the biggest paycut.
4. The weakest franchises can be contracted and their owners get bought out for a nominal amount.
5. Test Lebron, Bosh, and Wades commitment to team play and taking the biggest paycut
6. Same point goes to Kobe.
7. Keep the Bird rule to reward corporate loyalty...... which means no hard cap owners.
8. Keep the soft cap to prevent Y-----s vs R-- --x style spending.
9. Then again missing a year might not be so bad, because we can concentrate on baseball and hockey (or in my case PAC-10 football which is quite entertaining out here in Seattle). After that College Hoops, College Hockey, and the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs come around. Or Seattle Sounders Soccer!!!! YEEEEHAWWWWWW!!!!!
Party on Dudes.
