Hunter and Fisher at odds?

[greenpride32]

Check out this link:
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/216268/Report_Hunter_Trying_To_Smear_Fisher_As_Sellout_To_NBA

To me it's good news as I don't see the owners giving in.  Get Hunter out ASAP and we can salvage a season.

[jambr380]

It doesn't sound like he is being the most mature in this situation. I think everybody wants the same thing here. Playing hardball sounds tough, but you rarely get things done...

[BASS_THUMPER]

no season without preseason

not the same with out it

[Adelaide Celt]

Is Billy Hunter universally disliked amongst NBA fans? Something about that guy I just can't stand. For me it's just about impossible to side with the players with him and Derek Fisher running the show.

[Roy H.]

Definitely read the original source material.  It's an interesting article.  It was probably fed to Woj as a hit piece, but it strongly suggests that Hunter is the one holding up a deal so that he can appear tough, and can scapegoat others when the players collapse to 50/50.

[StartOrien]

I wonder w/ concerns of the union in shambles if Stern and the owners would consider throwing them a life line at 51-49 split.

The difference in the percentage point probably would be less than the amount they'd stand to lose if the union did decertify and a season was lost.

[Roy H.]

I wonder w/ concerns of the union in shambles if Stern and the owners would consider throwing them a life line at 51-49 split.

The difference in the percentage point probably would be less than the amount they'd stand to lose if the union did decertify and a season was lost.

Hard to say.  From one of the recent Berger columns, he has this quote:

Later, I asked Silver why the two sides wouldn't keep trying to close such a small gap, considering the mammoth losses that will result.

"I don't know," Silver said. "You're asking me. Billy said he would not go below 52 when he left. He didn't say, 'Do you want to split the difference?' He said, 'I will not go below 52.' "

"Did you say that?" I asked Silver.

"The negotiation ended when he said that," Silver said.

Is Silver suggesting that if Hunter had said "do you want to split the difference", then the NBA would have been receptive?  Or is this just a public relations argument?  A lot of NBA writers are now suggesting the owners won't budge off 50/50, but this quote from Silver suggests, at least, that they would have considered it.

[chambers]

Definitely read the original source material.  It's an interesting article.  It was probably fed to Woj as a hit piece, but it strongly suggests that Hunter is the one holding up a deal so that he can appear tough, and can scapegoat others when the players collapse to 50/50.

exactly.
I never thought the players would settle for 50/50. (or maybe I thought the owners would settle at 48%) but Hunter is simply letting everyone know that he didn't 'lose' the battle- the players decided to give in.

[LB3533]

Hunter and Fisher got you all (and the owners) fooled.

This is a smokescreen.

[Roy H.]

Hunter and Fisher got you all (and the owners) fooled.

This is a smokescreen.

To what end?  How is this going to improve their negotiating position even a little bit?

[StartOrien]

Is Silver suggesting that if Hunter had said "do you want to split the difference", then the NBA would have been receptive?  Or is this just a public relations argument?  A lot of NBA writers are now suggesting the owners won't budge off 50/50, but this quote from Silver suggests, at least, that they would have considered it.

Simply off what's being written and reported - Silver comes off  as a hard-line negotiator, and anything he says has to be taken that way.

[Chris]

Hunter and Fisher got you all (and the owners) fooled.

This is a smokescreen.

To what end?  How is this going to improve their negotiating position even a little bit?

I am with you, although I have heard the argument that while the owners want to splinter the union so they break and give in, they are afraid of it completely blowing up from the top down(which is what would happen if Hunter and Fisher really go head to head), because that will almost certainly mean no season, and a lot of uncertainty for next season, with things like decertification going back on the table.

But I personally believe this is coming from the owners side, so that they can build up a little more uncertainty within the player ranks, with the hope that they will essentially force a vote, and ratify what the owners are offering.

[Chris]

I wonder w/ concerns of the union in shambles if Stern and the owners would consider throwing them a life line at 51-49 split.

The difference in the percentage point probably would be less than the amount they'd stand to lose if the union did decertify and a season was lost.

Hard to say.  From one of the recent Berger columns, he has this quote:

Later, I asked Silver why the two sides wouldn't keep trying to close such a small gap, considering the mammoth losses that will result.

"I don't know," Silver said. "You're asking me. Billy said he would not go below 52 when he left. He didn't say, 'Do you want to split the difference?' He said, 'I will not go below 52.' "

"Did you say that?" I asked Silver.

"The negotiation ended when he said that," Silver said.

Is Silver suggesting that if Hunter had said "do you want to split the difference", then the NBA would have been receptive?  Or is this just a public relations argument?  A lot of NBA writers are now suggesting the owners won't budge off 50/50, but this quote from Silver suggests, at least, that they would have considered it.

Obviously this is all speculation and spin, but I do think that had Hunter said "do you want to split the difference", they would have an agreement on BRI right now (although there might be something else holding everything up). 

I personally believe that the owners are willing to go above 50%, however, I do not believe they are willing to offer it unless they get more concessions on other issues.  But if the players offered it, they would not get up from the table.

The problem is, I don't believe Hunter has been given the authority to go below 52%.  I think whoever is calling the shots there (player committee/agents) is determined to take a stand at 52%.

[indeedproceed]

Definitely read the original source material.  It's an interesting article.  It was probably fed to Woj as a hit piece, but it strongly suggests that Hunter is the one holding up a deal so that he can appear tough, and can scapegoat others when the players collapse to 50/50.

That's the safe play for him. Sounds psychotic but its the safe play.

[ManUp]

I've been for the players, but after they supposedly have already agreed on the new CBA(where owners win for the most part). I could really care less about a 2% BRI difference and who wins that battle. I hope they fold soon, because everybody know they are going to fold. No reason to drag it out.