Good News. Labor deal is 95.632% complete

[barefacedmonk]

I think a cramped season raises BBD's value and importance for the Celtics.

[mkogav]

I get the feeling that if the players do accept this deal (or a worse one later on) then there will be strike in the next 4-6 years. The greedy owners may break the union and complete their money grab, but it will cost the league in the long run.

I would also put $$$ on the fact that at least 1/3 of the "hawk" owners sell their teams within 3-4 years of an agreement. Plus Stern will be retired and the mess will fall into other hands.

What a mess.

Mk

[Chris]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

[Roy H.]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Um, yeah, I can see the players balking at that, big time.

[JSD]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Wow. Goodbye season. Now the owners are just getting ridiculous.

[indeedproceed]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Um, yeah, I can see the players balking at that, big time.

Ric Bucher: Also, the owners are requiring all the players to allow the owners to beat them in games of horse or 21 once a week. Plus, Donald Sterling would like to be allowed up to 23 racist comments per lunar cycle.

[barefacedmonk]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Um, yeah, I can see the players balking at that, big time.

Ric Bucher: Also, the owners are requiring all the players to allow the owners to beat them in games of horse or 21 once a week. Plus, Donald Sterling would like to be allowed up to 23 racist comments per lunar cycle.

LOL.

[Chris]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Wow. Goodbye season. Now the owners are just getting ridiculous.

Let's wait to hear more here.  Let's remember, Bucher is the only one to report this so far, and while he has connections, I am not sure he is the best at translating (or understanding) the subtleties of things that are told to him.

I would really be shocked if it is in there as he presented it.

[fairweatherfan]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Wow. Goodbye season. Now the owners are just getting ridiculous.

Yeah, I was optimistic but that squelched it quick.  That alone - if that's accurate I can't see the players agreeing to it anytime soon. 

Danny Granger is saying explicitly that he expects the union to reject it.  Raja Bell sounds like a no as well (they're both team reps). 

I thought this was all smoke and mirrors by a ticked-off but cornered union, but as I see more of the deal...it looks likely, and I don't blame them for rejecting it.  Dang it.

[Chris]

And the responses to this are the exact reason I don't buy it.  We have people who are all over the place on most of these proposals, but I think everyone can agree pretty simply that would be a non-starter.  So, I find it hard to believe Fisher and Hunter would have agreed to even present that to the players.

[fairweatherfan]

Anybody know the current (past) rules on sending down to the D-League and how it affects salary? 

BTW, couple this with the raised age limit, and it would mean teams can demote a guy (and save most of his salary) until 25-26 years old.  That's close to if not more than half the league.

[mkogav]

Latest from Bucher on the proposal is that it would allow teams to send players to the D-league during the first 5 years of their career, and have their salary drop to a pro-rated $75K.  There has to be more it on that one, because that would essentially make rookie contracts non-guaranteed.

Wow. Goodbye season. Now the owners are just getting ridiculous.

The owners have to know that the players will never accept this deal. This is not the end game. The 50/50 BRI split, modified softcap, tax %, etc... all of this is not the deal that the owners want. The player already gave up 7% BRI and too many structural changes... and they don't even miss a paycheck until next Tuesday.

What will the players be willing to give up in January? That will be 2 months of missed paychecks.

I see two possibilities:

No decertification - Players fold in January. The owners get 53-55% BRI and give in on most of the obnoxious/outrageous structural changes. 50 game season. In the end, it's all about the $$$. Fan loose ~half of a season and of course Hunter "retires".

Decertification - The season is lost. Massive court cases through the Spring. The 2012/2013 season starts becoming in doubt. If the owners win then they will get... 60% BRI? Maybe. If the players win, they get 53% BRI and some acceptable structural changes. Fans loose a season+ and of course Hunter "retires".

Mk

[indeedproceed]

Anybody know the current (past) rules on sending down to the D-League and how it affects salary? 

BTW, couple this with the raised age limit, and it would mean teams can demote a guy (and save most of his salary) until 25-26 years old.  That's close to if not more than half the league.

Rookie contract are rookie contracts are rookie contracts right now. If you're signed, you make your salary, whether in the D-League or not.

[Interceptor]

Ric Bucher: Also, the owners are requiring all the players to allow the owners to beat them in games of horse or 21 once a week. Plus, Donald Sterling would like to be allowed up to 23 racist comments per lunar cycle.

This is just not credible. Why would Sterling cut back that much?

[fairweatherfan]

Bucher now says "League official says NBDL rule, along w/20-yr age limit + offseason drug testing are B-List and not take-it-or-leave-it. BRI/tax rules are."

Not sure what that means; I doubt it's like the players can just Sharpie it out and then do the deal.