For some reason, I think both sides will get things done. The NHL lockout was an absolute embarrassment, it was all over the media and everybody lost at the end. I hope these NBA guys have learned a lesson from the NHL and from the last lockout, but if they haven't, then we're in trouble. Both sides lose if there is a lockout, I just hope these guys figure it out before it's too late.
There will be a lockout and it will affect next season. My gut feeling is once games start getting canceled they will come to an agreement in short order. I have no doubt at all the league will hang tough for as long as it takes to get their way. If the players are resolute, this could be a repeat of 1998.
I believe that a lockout will take place but an agreement will be reached before the regular season starts. They will learn there lesson during pre-season.
Reducing the years for guaranteed contracts is a major sticking point. The only reason the players union agreed to the last CBA was because of those 7 years. Players like Yao would lose 20 million in guaranteed money if the League had their 5 years. I don't think they'd be starving, but a mid level salaried player like Matt Maloney would definitely care.
Good god, you would think they wouldnt want to become the next NHL and would get their asses in gear to hammer out a deal... Whatever happens it's clear there will be somethings missed (FA Signings, Preseason ex.) with this moving as slow as it is now... After the brawl in Detroit the JVG fine and now a lockout on the bend, I will take a good look at being a fan of the NBA at all next year if they dont get this taken care of soon..
This is a completely empty threat, but if there are games lost, I won't ever watch another game while David Stern is commissioner. If neither side has enough respect for the fans to get a deal done (especially when there was just a lockout 6 years ago) without losing games, they don't deserve that time. Truth be told, whatever happens I'll be sitting in front of a tv, beer in hand, for the first game.
I think the league could survive with scabs. In fact, if the players don't come back, I'm all for it.
I'm hoping there isn't one but I just have a bad feeling there will be, hopefully it won't cost any reg. season games.
I'm worried that a lockout will not only turn the fans away but I'm wondering how many players will pull out of the NBA Draft at the last minute leading to a diluted class. This could hurt us as we have the 24th pick.