So, you're saying there's a chance?

[Chris]

Maybe I am just being contrarian here, or my sports optimism is getting the best of me, but I am not yet sure this is over.

While it certainly seems that way, and it is hard to imagine a season right now, something doesn't quite add up to me.

That is, they really are on the 1 inch line here.  So many concessions have been made, and a deal really could have been reached, but it appears right now that the anger and egos ruled the day.

However, when it comes down to it, this is still a negotiation.  And the players were looking at a situation where they didn't have a leg to stand on, and the owners knew it.  The only thing they had was the threat of what they just did...and the owners didn't believe they would do it.  And, how were the players supposed to stop the owners from taking more and more, if the owners had no fear that they would eventually stand strong?

Now, there have been a ton of rumors that the owners really are prepared to lose the season over this stuff, but whose to say that weren't posturing as well?  How were they going to push the players to the limit, if the players didn't truly believe that they were willing to go the distance.  

Now that it is done, all the cards really have been played, and I wonder whether there will be one last push to close this deal, before the season is actually lost.  

Perhaps, when yet another 11th hour approaches, to save this season, rationality will finally prevail, and both sides will realize that a deal is eventually going to be made, and losing the season over it will just delay the inevitable, and cost more money.  

I am not sure even I believe this, but in the time when everything is darkest, I figured it was worth at least throwing this out there...

[GreenFaith1819]

I think this is probably the best place to post this...if not, Mods pls feel free to help me out and post it somewhere else .

Saw this on CBSSports.com by way of Hoopshype.


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/16161349/nba-players-hoping-for-one-more-shot-at-settlement

Whatever "Backchanneling" is, I pray it works!

[LB3533]

I am pretty sure Stern and the Owners are waiting for Billy Hunter and the other lawyers to make the first move...to initiate talks again.

[Chris]

I am pretty sure Stern and the Owners are waiting for Billy Hunter and the other lawyers to make the first move...to initiate talks again.

That's the official stance.  However, I don't believe for a second that the two sides are really in radio silence.  While Stern may not be taking with Kessler and Boies (he apparently can't go through Hunter anymore), I would be shocked if there has not been communication between the two sides.  They wouldn't be actually negotiating that way, but I think they could be laying the groundwork to get back to the table.

[KGs Knee]

I'd say there's a snowballs chance in hades.

I know the players won't ever come out and say it (it would be a PR nightmare for them), but I do believe they are almost as willing as the owner's to miss the season.  It may not be in thier best interest, but I think it's become more of a battle of wills at this point to the players.  Sort of a "will show you" mentality.

[LB3533]

I am pretty sure Stern and the Owners are waiting for Billy Hunter and the other lawyers to make the first move...to initiate talks again.

That's the official stance.  However, I don't believe for a second that the two sides are really in radio silence.  While Stern may not be taking with Kessler and Boies (he apparently can't go through Hunter anymore), I would be shocked if there has not been communication between the two sides.  They wouldn't be actually negotiating that way, but I think they could be laying the groundwork to get back to the table.

Stern is definitely more interested in saving the season. Hardline owners, not so much.

There are a lot of players who really do...just wanna play and that's a shame because a lot of fans just want there bball back.

I hope Stern just gives in a little and we can start the season by X-Mas or New Year's Day.

[action781]

Like you said, we really just need rationality to prevail in order for there to be a season.  Both sides have to understand they are so close to a deal...  For both sides, if they lose this season and then get their most recent demands next offeseason, they STILL lose money overall.  It makes no sense for both sides to not meet in the middle soon.  We just need rationality to prevail over egos... I'm just not 100% certain that it will in this battle.  If a season is lost, it's not because of money at this point.

[Chris]

I am pretty sure Stern and the Owners are waiting for Billy Hunter and the other lawyers to make the first move...to initiate talks again.

That's the official stance.  However, I don't believe for a second that the two sides are really in radio silence.  While Stern may not be taking with Kessler and Boies (he apparently can't go through Hunter anymore), I would be shocked if there has not been communication between the two sides.  They wouldn't be actually negotiating that way, but I think they could be laying the groundwork to get back to the table.

Stern is definitely more interested in saving the season. Hardline owners, not so much.

There are a lot of players who really do...just wanna play and that's a shame because a lot of fans just want there bball back.

I hope Stern just gives in a little and we can start the season by X-Mas or New Year's Day.

What I am banking on is that there are not a majority of hard-line owners.  And that the guys in the middle push to get a deal done when the true 11th hour for the season arrives. 

The Mark Cuban's and the Michael Jordan's are not going to make this call.  When it comes down to cancelling the season, it is going to be in the hands of the guys who are on the fence.  And we can only hope that those guys will make the right call when it comes down to it.

[gpap]

I think we will have a 50 game season and agree with the OP.
Right now through all the childish sparring between owners and players, the league is simply on "hiatus."

For whatever reason, the players just don't want to play right now and the owners actually save money but not having a full season. I think between now and Christmas, somebody calls somebody and a deal "miraculously" gets done.

It doesn't help right now that no fans are showing any anger and frustration like everyone showed for the NFL lockout. The NBA sees that and isn't in a rush to end the lockout as a result.

However, when football season winds down in January, the NBA lockout is going to start getting more attention. Thus, the NBA will be ready to start a season, as abbreviated as it may be.

Having said that, I think both the players and owners should be ashamed of themselves for letting this lockout get to this point and as fans, we should never forget or forgive.

[BASS_THUMPER]

do you guys really want a season now...

im REALLY tryin to understand your passion for a half a season when clearly the main people envolved in this drama only care about the cash..


we love them but they dont love us...

bonnie says it best..


http://www.youtube.com/v/nW9Cu6GYqxo

[Chris]

do you guys really want a season now...

im REALLY tryin to understand your passion for a half a season when clearly the main people envolved in this drama only care about the cash..


we love them but they dont love us...

bonnie says it best..


http://www.youtube.com/v/nW9Cu6GYqxo

I never thought they did love us, nor did I expect them to, so this doesn't bother me.  I just want the entertainment, so I am fine with a shorter season.

[BASS_THUMPER]

chris..

your on point with that one bro...

entertainment...

this jose and 40 got me sensitive..

im sorry man~

[Chris]

@WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
NBA and players resumed talks on Tuesday to try and end the lockout before the cancellation of Christmas games, two sources told Y! Sports.

@WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Talks were expected to continue today, sources said, and one league source tells Y!: "We should know more by later this evening."

@WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Derek Fisher isn't a part of the talks now, sources say.

...no one wants to lose the season

[Lucky17]

Surprised to hear that there are talks on Thanksgiving Eve. I didn't expect them to resume until Dec 1 or so.

I think this is a positive sign.

[Jeff]

I'm thankful they are at least trying.