duncan228
02-19-2011, 11:41 PM
Talk of work stoppage looms over NBA All-Star Game (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904154.html)
By Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - The NBA and its constellation of talent has gathered before for its annual All-Star Weekend with unresolved problems regarding its collective bargaining agreement on several occasions. But despite extreme posturing and rhetoric from Commissioner David Stern and representatives of the players' union, the topic usually takes a background role to the competitions and other festivities.
This season, however, concerns that the league could have a work stoppage that threatens the start - or all - of next season have been, as Boston Celtics all-star forward Kevin Garnett said, "put on Front Street" and assumed a spotlight much like the excessive banners that hang above Staples Center, the adjourning Los Angeles Convention Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
With an influx of new, energetic owners hoping to receive a quicker return on their nine-figure investments into the league and a players' union content with the current structure and unwilling to relent, the 60th All-Star Weekend has a different feel from those of the past.
"Am I concerned there is going to be a lockout? As everybody is saying, there is probably going to be," said San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan. "I just want to make sure, however many years from now, the guys that come in have a good deal on the table. Just like when I came in, my second year in the league, that's what the veterans did for us. It was set up for the years now, that we have good deals and we're getting a fair share. That's the concern, not for myself or a missed season, that we get the right deal."
Garnett, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Durant were among the all-stars who sat down with a group of owners and NBA executives, including labor relations chair Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs, for a two-hour meeting in Beverly Hills on Friday. The meeting signaled progress only because the two sides were in the room, something that has only been done once in the past 13 months. National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter described the encounter as "somewhat amicable."
They departed as far apart on an agreement as they entered, but at least made plans to discuss their differences more often. The CBA expires on June 30 and the players' union has been warning its members all season to prepare for the worst, save money, and not to expect a swift resolution.
Keep Reading... (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904154.html)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904154.html
By Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES - The NBA and its constellation of talent has gathered before for its annual All-Star Weekend with unresolved problems regarding its collective bargaining agreement on several occasions. But despite extreme posturing and rhetoric from Commissioner David Stern and representatives of the players' union, the topic usually takes a background role to the competitions and other festivities.
This season, however, concerns that the league could have a work stoppage that threatens the start - or all - of next season have been, as Boston Celtics all-star forward Kevin Garnett said, "put on Front Street" and assumed a spotlight much like the excessive banners that hang above Staples Center, the adjourning Los Angeles Convention Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
With an influx of new, energetic owners hoping to receive a quicker return on their nine-figure investments into the league and a players' union content with the current structure and unwilling to relent, the 60th All-Star Weekend has a different feel from those of the past.
"Am I concerned there is going to be a lockout? As everybody is saying, there is probably going to be," said San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan. "I just want to make sure, however many years from now, the guys that come in have a good deal on the table. Just like when I came in, my second year in the league, that's what the veterans did for us. It was set up for the years now, that we have good deals and we're getting a fair share. That's the concern, not for myself or a missed season, that we get the right deal."
Garnett, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Durant were among the all-stars who sat down with a group of owners and NBA executives, including labor relations chair Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs, for a two-hour meeting in Beverly Hills on Friday. The meeting signaled progress only because the two sides were in the room, something that has only been done once in the past 13 months. National Basketball Players Association executive director Billy Hunter described the encounter as "somewhat amicable."
They departed as far apart on an agreement as they entered, but at least made plans to discuss their differences more often. The CBA expires on June 30 and the players' union has been warning its members all season to prepare for the worst, save money, and not to expect a swift resolution.
Keep Reading... (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904154.html)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904154.html