The first thought when I heard the NBA owners and players were talking again and had been since Tuesday? Good. They can’t reach a deal without talking. And the fact there have been fewer media leaks out of these talks than any previous is a good sign.
The second thought? What are the starting points for the two sides? Where they left off or did they pull back at all?
We don’t know how the talks went — Yahoo reports there was little progress — but we know the two sides met for two days and, after taking the Thanksgiving holiday off, will resume on Friday. If the goal is to save Christmas Day games (kicking off a 66-game season) they will have to have the framework of a deal in place by early next week.
But we do know the answer to the second question — the two sides pretty much picked up where they left off, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.The parties essentially picked up where they left off Nov. 10, discussing a proposal that includes a 50-50 split of revenue, shorter contracts and tougher spending restrictions. The players rejected that deal, but on the basis of a half-dozen mechanical issues which, in the grander scheme, are fairly minor. They have already conditionally agreed to the 50-50 split and most of the new payroll restrictions.
Neither side has tried to put any new issues on the table, or backed away from previously negotiated points, according to those informed on the talks. That gives the parties hope that a deal not only can be achieved, but can be consummated quickly.
“Both sides could fairly say that it’s crazy to blow the deal up over these remaining issues,” one person close to the talks said Wednesday.
Well, the sides have been fairly crazy up to now, so….
If, as reported, David Stern polled the owners to see if they would allow a full mid-level exceptions for all teams (even those over the luxury tax) it is a sign the sides are serious and trying to make a deal.
Whether they can or not remains to be seen.