WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski After 12 hours of labor talks, NBA and NBPA are making progress on system issues, including luxury tax, three sources with knowledge tell Y!
I mean parity as far as the BS that the league is spitting out, about every team being able to compete for a title. That's not ever going to happen and it has nada to do with this lockout. Unless there are 15 Kobe type players every team won't be able to compete for a title. How can the league even try to argue that when only 10 or so dudes have won the majority of titles in the last 20-30 years. The equal opportunity has more to do with landing that stud, which usually occurs via the draft, than with spending. Chicken or the egg....
HowardBeckNYT HowardBeckNYT by sam_amick Just filed update to lockout story. Told that sides have "moved closer" on "most" system issues, but no agreement yet.
WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski NBA, NBPA sources still believe if they can close gaps and agree on system issues -- tax, exceptions, etc., -- BRI will fall into place
ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix One source briefed on the talks Wednesday said agreement by the end of the week "very possible." "Lot of real progress tonight," source said
ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix Sides are still navigating the system issues, source said, but believes a middle ground "is within sight." BRI split still needs work.
ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix If--still a big if--Stern, Hunter, et al can come to some agreement in the next few days, it remains to be seen...
ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix ...how rank-and-file on both sides will respond to it. Remember, small groups has meant progress. When it goes big, it usually blows up.
KauffmanSports Steve Kauffman by alanhahn 2 schools of thought;try to finish tonight while there's momentum,or finish system issues after some rest,than settle the BRI at 51.5% or so
sam_amick Sam Amick 51.5 RT @HowardBeckNYT: One theory: If players get deal they want on system issues, perhaps they take the 50-50 (or close to it).
HowardBeckNYT HowardBeckNYT by sam_amick Caution flag being waved by same source: any talk of "major progress" is premature. But again, they are closing the gap on system issues
ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix Glad the NBA, union seem to be working hard on a deal. Still perplexed why they weren't working this hard in July. sportsguy33 Bill Simmons 82-game NBA reg season + full playoffs still in play. Need done deal by weekend. Lots of optimism now. I'd be surprised if this fell apart.
Throughout this whole lockout saga there have been 3 types of writers that I've observed. Optimists Chris Sheridan (Sheridanhoops) Pessimists Chris Mannix (ChrisMannixSI) Bill Simmons (Sportsguy33) Adrian Wojnarwski(WojYahooNBA) Sam Amick (sam_amick) Neutral Ken Berger(K_Berg_CBS) David Aldridge (davidaldridgetnt) Alan Hahn (alanhahn) Howard Beck (HowardBeckNYT)
WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski The NBA, NBPA bargaining session has reached 14 hours in Manhattan. KBergCBS Ken Berger Hitting 14-hour mark. Epic night here for the oldest profession and the dumbest profession.
WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski Labor meeting still going, but league official says he expects that they'll shut it down for the night soon. What the? They need to stay their ass inside the conference room till they come to an agreement! They can sleep when they reach an agreement!