| 02 September 2011
LOCKOUT SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACK?
The NBA players and owners are finally seeing eye-to-eye...but not on the new collective bargaining agreement itself. Both sides have, at least, agree not to publicly take shots at one another and that both sides acknowledge neither side are budging much from what they initially put on the table. They'll continue to meet, but the so-called Sept. 15th deadline to agree on the new CBA is looking unreleastic at this point.
Both sides love to tease us all with optimism to make it sound like they really care about the season starting on time. Again, if they really mean what they've been telling us, would the lockout be already on its 64th day?
GARNETT "PRETTY CLOSE" ON BECOMING A LAKER
In his interview with SI's Dan Patrick, Celtic forward Kevin Garnett recalls that he was "pretty close" in signing with the Lakers back in 2007. So why didn't he? He blames the strife between Kobe Bryant (who was demanding for a trade if the Lakers don't make some moves to be title contenders) and Phil Jackson as the warning signs that he would be better off someplace else.
Hmm...I happen to recall quite the opposite. Kobe and Phil were actually both trying to pressure the Lakers front office to start worrying more about winning titles than paying less of the luxury tax. But c'mon, who do you think then Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale wanted to help more, the Lakers or the Celtics? Exactly!
NBA PLAYERS STAYING HOME TO PLAY
Some of the league's best talents have yet to get caught on the European vacation this lockout has been forcing other players to take. In fact, guys like Kevin Durant, Carmello Anthony, Lebron James, John Wall, James Harden and Jrue Holiday have been competing in these small venues like any other NBA game.
NBA players in Europe should keep the NBA alive overseas, but NBA domestically is much, much more important. As much as I like hearing these young players not get trapped in all that financial trouble during the lockout by looking for work elsewhere, I must say that I'd rather see them show their support for having a season at these players/owners meeting by voicing their displeasure to the owners for allowing the small people lose their jobs and totally ignoring the very people who make their income and the players' salary all possible...the fans.
End.
