nixluva wrote:Ok sounds like they're getting somewhere. Now let's see if this is an offer Stern knows the Union will go for.

CrushAlot wrote:

nixluva wrote:Ok sounds like they're getting somewhere. Now let's see if this is an offer Stern knows the Union will go for.

I am hoping that the fact that he is proposing this after they have negotiated for two days means that the negotiating commitee for the players are for it. His owners might be a bigger hurdle.

I'm becoming less and less optimistic- dave Aldridge said that even after all this time spent since the supposed Wednesday deadline, there is still a "long,long, long" list of issues. The owners must be reaching their limit- sterns's ultimatum looks like a joke. I suspect this revised proposal will be delivered as a 'take it or leave it', and won't be enough.

The NBA is offering the players a 72 game season starting on Dec. 15.

Stern says owners will return to 47 percent offer on BRI, and flex salary cap if no agreement early next week.

smackeddog wrote:Er... Does this basically mean they've reached an agreement and the union are just downplaying it?

That's actually a good point, though who knows what's going on. It seems a good sign that Fisher and Hunter did not slam the proposal, especially Hunter, who just says it's not the best offer in the world. Not exactly a sign that it's a ridiculous offer.

Personally, I cannot imagine that the players honestly believe they will get a better deal. They have to get real. If they don't accept this deal, then the one they do end up accepting will only be worse. At least the owners have the incentive now to save most of the season, so they are willing to compromise at least a little. But if the players refuse this deal, then the season is all but lost anyway, so the owners can afford to be a lot more unyielding.

CrushAlot wrote:A 72 game season is going to be brutal on the players. The Knicks had played 26 games by Dec. 15th last year.

True. They would also move the playoffs and Finals back a week, which would help a bit.

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
From team executives to agents, a lot of questions about why union needs to wait until Monday or Tuesday to bring player reps to New York.
» WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Don't have full details of revised owners' proposal, but league barely moved on most of important system issues, sources say.
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Growing desire among frustrated players and "Super 7" agents to start decertification clock Friday, sources say. Final decision forthcoming

CrushAlot wrote:Tweets from reporters are not sounding that positive.

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
From team executives to agents, a lot of questions about why union needs to wait until Monday or Tuesday to bring player reps to New York.
» WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Don't have full details of revised owners' proposal, but league barely moved on most of important system issues, sources say.
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Growing desire among frustrated players and "Super 7" agents to start decertification clock Friday, sources say. Final decision forthcoming

Maybe the union is waiting til Monday to meet, to give hunter the chance to meet with stern individually before then, to iron out some of the lesser issues (discipline, dress code etc) and see if he can wrangle any more stuff. Plus it gives the players plenty of time to decide, taking some of the emotion out of it.

The union knew they weren't getting any major concessions going into these two meetings, but they got some minor things which may have made it more acceptable, and it's allowing them to save face.

Finally, the decertification people were never going to be happy with the outcome of these meetings, but I don't think they have the numbers to pose a threat.

Overall, though I may be wrong, it sounds like the union were saying okay- at least that's what I hope...