Credibility ? You’re Not Going To Find It Within The NBA

Credibility ? You’re Not Going To Find It Within The NBA

By tophatal ….

As the farce of the league hierarchy induced labor stoppage continues unabated and NBA Commissioner David Stern’s image is now taking a beating . So much so , that his fiefdom now seems to be under siege . The “House That Stern” built in conjunction with NBA great Michael Jordan is now teetering on the brink of a calamity and collapse that for most fans they’re simply apathetic as to what is taking place in front of their very eyes. The union along with its executive committee are now intent , it appears on de-certifying and quite possibly challenging the league’s antitrust exemption status within US Federal Court . Stern , Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver along with Peter Holt and now joined by Charlotte Bocats’ owner Michael Jordan , are now looking at a peaceful accord whereby the NBA could quite possibly start their regular season , albeit that it would be a mere two and a half weeks behind schedule.

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It seems ridiculous that the two sides cannot reach an equitable agreement that would see both split their $4.5 billion in annual revenues on a 50/50 basis ! Even with the league apparently now stating they’re prepared make that ratio a favorable 51/49 in the players’ favor , the union’s executive committee led by Executive Director Billy Hunter and their president Derek Fisher have publicly stated that they are not prepared to acquiesce to any of the hierarchy’s demands. This whole saga now gets even more ridiculous when you now have NBA superstars such as LeBron James “tweeting ” messages suggesting that he and his fellow players are desperate for a quick resolution to the work stoppage. James by all accounts has gone on to suggest that the economic plight of the nation affects him just as much as it would the common citizen . From my own standpoint for a player , who is earning millions of dollars annually , his rather insidious statement smacks of the stupidity you would come to expect from an athlete who has been coddled throughout much of his career as a professional er from his high school days right up to his entry into the NBA , when he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 .

Courtesy of Associated Press in conjunction with Yahoo Sports

Stern: ‘Rational thing’ for union is to take deal

By Brian Mahoney , AP Basketball writer

NEW YORK (AP)—NBA players are facing a Wednesday afternoon deadline to accept the league’s current proposal or face a harsher one that calls for rolling back their salaries, and Commissioner David Stern said Monday “the only rational thing to do is for us to make that deal.”

“We think that there’s a great offer on the table and what we told the players is it’s getting late, the only rational thing to do is for us to make that deal because given what’s going on in our business and our industry, it’ll get worse from there,” Stern said during an interview on ESPN.

That proposal calls for players to receive anywhere between 49 and 51 percent of basketball-related income, though players argue it would be nearly impossible for them to get anywhere above 50.2. Stern said the next one will call for a 53-47 split in the owners’ favor, along with essentially a hard salary cap.

The second proposal also calls for “existing contracts rolled back in proportion to system changes in order to ensure sufficient market for free agents,” a person who has been briefed on its contents told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contents were supposed to remain private.

The rollbacks were previously reported by CBSSports.com and The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the letter Stern sent to union executive director Billy Hunter on Sunday along with both documents.

The league had sought to roll back existing contracts to conform to a new collective bargaining agreement during an earlier proposal, but had since taken it off the table.

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As we all know LeBron James’ departure from the Cavaliers and the tumultuous tete-a-tete` between he and the team’s owner Dan Gilbert left a very unsavory taste in just about everyone’s mouth. As to the idiocy shown by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ fans , it would be safe to suggest James was about as well liked as former Cleveland Browns’ owner Art Modell . And the Browns’ former owner who simply feigned poverty and fled from the city like a thief in the night , only to surface later with in Baltimore , Maryland with a new NFL franchise to be known as the Baltimore Ravens . Modell is now a minority stake owner of the franchise which is now majority owned by Steve Bisciotti . LeBron James might now be more despised than the aged NFL veteran owner but it would be safe to say that if either were to return to the city , neither would be welcomed .

During the stoppage a number of players have either chosen to play abroad in such countries as Russia , France , Lithuania , Spain , Greece and Italy . Others however , who’ve refrained from pursuing that opening have organized a number of charity games displaying their skills across the country for the fans to see. All well and good , no doubt being done with altruistic motives as they and their union seek the fans’ sympathy . While this is now going on, it would appears that there’s a fracturing in the solidarity of the team owners and their support of the league hierarchy , with Charlotte Bobcats’ owner Michael Jordan now openly voicing his support for the NBPA and the players . Do you get the feeling that David Stern would now like nothing better than putting his boot to Jordan’s ass ?

Courtesy of AP & Yahoo Sports

NBA union: No deal; no fear of ultimatum, either

By Brian Mahoney , AP Sports Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—NBA players made it clear Tuesday: No deal.

No fear of Commissioner David Stern’s ultimatum, either.

“The current offer on the table from the NBA is one that we cannot accept,” players’ association president Derek Fisher said.

Instead, the players said they will ask for another meeting with owners before Stern’s Wednesday afternoon deadline—and sound willing to agree to a 50-50 split of revenues under the right circumstances—in an attempt to end the lockout and save the season.

In an interview on NBA TV, Stern said that whether he agrees to meet “would be guided by the labor relations committee.”

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league has not yet heard from Hunter.

A month of the season has already been lost, and the NBA risks losing fans without an agreement soon. Some already appear to have forgotten Blake Griffin , last season’s rookie of the year, stood around in the lobby of a busy hotel off Broadway and was rarely approached by fans.

The league’s current proposal calls for players to receive between 49 percent and 51 percent of basketball-related income, though union officials argue it would be nearly impossible to get above 50.2 percent.

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If the union were to de-certify and become a trade association it certainly makes their position a great deal easier in challenging the NBA hierarchy within the federal court system . Stern , the league hierarchy and team owners are not willing to have their books opened up for public scrutiny . But at the same time the commissioner and owners simply plead poverty , while the owners and general managers each season through their sheer avarice choose not to rein costs. If only the owners would simply practice what they preach when it comes to being financially prudent. David Stern may well have been at the helm of the NBA structure while its ascent from a small niche operation and sport , to where it now has become a multi billion dollar business entity whose tentacles now stretch across the globe. And inasmuch as the league’s popularity is still high , there are now quiet rumblings abroad as to the inaction of the league hierarchy and the very fact that not is the commissioner’s image tarnished but that too , of the NPBA (union).

The NBA’s fastest growing market has been in the Far East and in particular within the nation of China and its populace of 1.6 billion . The game’s ascent in popularity grew exponentially with the rise in popularity of Yao Ming . And with the player since having retired due recurring knee and feet ailments , specifically plantar fasciitis , you can understand the reason why the NBA would simply feel aggrieved if now they are being criticized by the print and television media within China because of the ongoing labor impasse . If the Chinese journalists who cover the NBA within its own country can be so terse in their criticism but here there has been about as much intense scrutiny of the stoppage without there being little if any in depth of analysis of the events as they have unfolded. Instead we are simply fed mere snippets and sound bytes from the paeans within the league’s hierarchy structure as when they deem it reasonable to do so.

David Stern’s grip on the league has been like that of a third world despot whose tyrannical reign might well have been along the lines of Idi Amin . While the former Ugandan dictator over the course of his rule is known to have committed numerous atrocities against the civilian population , as well as allegation of cannibalism . It can be said at this juncture the only thing that the commissioner has yet to do is to actually consume the head of one of the executive committee members of the NBPA . The animus between the union and league shows no sign of abating , it is now becoming increasingly clear that the impasse between the two sides has reached a point where perhaps it would be better if the two parties’ interest could be best determined within a courtroom. Arbitration between the two sides with a mediator from the FMCS has thus far served no real purpose . The governmental agency presided over by its director George Cohen has simply heard one side simply deride each other , with little inroads being made by either side to show any form of progress. Truth be known , the longer this impasse goes on the less relevant the NBA becomes and the likelihood of one or quite possibly two NBA teams could quite possibly fold . It has already been hinted at by Billy Hunter and there are already grave doubts as to the financial viability of the Sacramento Kings , albeit that team owner Joe Maloof and Geoff Petrie .

The Sacramento Kings to my mind have held the city of Sacramento hostage with their demands and rather naively the city’s mayor Kevin Johnson has began to cave into the organization’s demands . The former NBA star and now city politician is now looking at ways into working in conjunction with local businesses in building a state of the art facility for the team. Johnson has not stated that this publicly but it is clear that public monies in part , will be used to finance any such endeavor with very little guarantee that the Kings’ organization will show any type of reciprocity on their part, in assisting with the financing of such a venue . And I get the feeling that David Stern will be front and center in expediting any deal that would allow an NBA franchise to be once again the benefactor of public funds while also at the same time garnering a number of beneficial tax write offs . All this and the mayor has an unemployment rate that is slightly above the national average within his city and a growing homeless rate but his biggest push is to see the building of a state of the art facility for a family whose estimated net worth is said to be approaching $2.5 billion . Somehow , the NBA , its owners and league hierarchy not only has more than a credibility problem but also one of integrity , honesty as well as a serious image problem ! Anyone who believes that to be to the contrary may well have their lips firmly pressed against David Stern’s sphincter waiting to suck on that act of flatulence .

With the announcement having been made that the league will postpone the first two weeks of the November regular season schedule and now it would appear the month will be completely abandoned altogether. With the preseason having been already lost and an estimated $350 million in preseason revenues , you can understand the urgency behind the NBA’s wish to have the season commence at some point . However , for the union, anything that they can continue to do that would in essence purloin that premise for the league only further exacerbates the fact that they have no real urgency to see the league up and running. Were that the case, then we would already have had a resolution with which both sides would find amenable . The league’s players and union are selling the fans a “bill of goods” that now is of no real value . The NBA brand is no longer what it once and the fact that many of its brightest stars have simply become a slew of preening Prima-donnas whose only wish is to simply be viewed as the victims , rather than the antagonists in this rather idiotic drama that is now being played out for the fans and public’s consumption .

From my own perspective , I have become sick and tired of a bunch mindless idiotic millionaire athletes and multi millionaire owners simply bitch and whine they themselves have been real cause for the malaise that they now find themselves in ! It has been the same occurrence within baseball , football and hockey — ________ in reality the four major professional sports and the hierarchies who govern those pastimes have simply become bastions of greed and corruption . Doubt my word ? Simply ask yourself this what has the NBA done that has really been of benefit for the consumer ? Philanthropic efforts asides , that is merely a gimmick by those hierarchies to begin with , because they benefit far more by the largesse given to them not only by state and municipal agencies but also from the federal government .

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What thoughts if any do you have concerning the points raised within this article ? Simply leave a comment as you deem fit and as always thanks for the continued support as it is greatly appreciated !

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Picture and slide show details .

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(1) Rudy Gay enters the arena for his charity basketball game at the Desoto Civic Center in Memphis Tennessee , on Tuesday Nov. 8, 2011. AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Nikki Boertman ….

(2) NPBA Executive Director Billy Hunter (left) and union president Derek Fisher address the convened press to discuss the ongoing impasse between the league and union concerning the equitable disbursement of BRI (basketball related income) . Neither side finds the others’ offer acceptable . The union now seems to be intent on taking the step to de-certify and perhaps challenge the NBA’s antitrust exemption within the US Federal Court as a way of forcing the league to in part acquiesce to their wishes. Something that NBA Commissioner David Stern would most definitely like to avoid . AP Photos/ Paul Matthews …..

(3) Miami Heat’s LeBron James shoots between the defense of Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay (22) and Corey Maggette (2) during Rudy Gay’s charity basketball game at the Desoto Civic Center Tuesday Nov. 8, 2011. AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Nikki Boertman …

(4) Billy Hunter, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association, and Derek Fisher , President of the National Basketball Players Association speak at a press conference after the NBPA held a meeting to discuss the NBA lockout at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on November 8, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

(5) Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett (L) and Miami Heat owner Micky Arison (R) arrive for NBA labor negotiations at Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on November 5, 2011 in New York City. Players have been seeking 52.5 percent of revenues in their favor but owners want a deal at 53-47 along with a hard salary cap. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images ……

(6) Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan arrives for NBA labor negotiations at Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on November 5, 2011 in New York City. Players have been seeking 52.5 percent of revenues in their favor but owners want a deal at 53-47 along with a hard salary cap. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images …

(7) NBA Commissioner David Stern talks with reporters, Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, in New York. Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season after players and owners were unable to reach a new labor deal to end the lockout. At left is Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. Opening night was scheduled for Nov 1st 2011. AP Photo /David Karp …..

(8) In this photo taken Friday, May 13, 2011, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, right, discuss the Sacramento Kings basketball team with California state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg , D-Sacramento, as they walk into Steinberg’s Capitol office in Sacramento, Calif. Johnson, a former NBA all-star with the Phoenix Suns, has worked the last couple of months to keep the Kings in Sacramento . AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli …

(9) Sacramento City Mayor Kevin Johnson is seen here with Gavin Maloof ,co-owner of the Sacramento Kings, also in picture is ESPN journalist & reporter Heather Cox . AP/Photo/Daily Life / Christopher Mayhew …..
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Hot chic pic of the day Shay Laren . For more pictures Shay merely click on the link provided for your own personal edification .