The "full bargaining committee" of the NBA and the NBPA
will meet Friday "for the first time in 23 days," according
to Mark Asher of the WASHINGTON POST. Yesterday, three reps
from each side met for two hours and afterward announced
Friday's full session. NBA Commissioner David Stern: "We're
not near anything. But you can't get anyplace unless you
meet." A source told Asher that even if a deal is done by
Thanksgiving, it "likely would take 10 to 14 days for a
labor contract to be ready" to sign, meaning the earliest
start to a season would be January (WASHINGTON POST, 11/18).
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "We sort of sense that
with the holidays approaching, if we don't start making
progress soon, the season is in jeopardy. We'll give it one
more try on Friday" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/18). In
Philadelphia, Stephen Smith writes that it "might be a last-
ditch effort to save" the season (PHILA. INQUIRER, 11/18).
EXHIBITION SEASON: Despite reports of a possible
players game in Las Vegas on Saturday, Phil Jasner of the
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS writes, "It seems highly unlikely
that a game could be organized in time." NBPA Dir of
Communications Dan Wasserman said that the event promoters
do not represent the union "and have not been hired by us.
They've never spoken to Billy Hunter or Patrick Ewing."
Wasserman said that agents would announce an exhibition game
"if and when it is appropriate, but that game will not be
(Saturday)" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 11/18). Thomas & Mack
Center Assistant Dir Daren Libonati: "At this point, I'd say
it's 50-50. Right now, we're holding the building for the
21st (Saturday). But if we're going to sell tickets and
promote this, I need to hear from someone" (LV SUN, 11/16).
EUROPEAN VACATION: In Milwaukee, Tom Enlund reports
that T-Wolves G Stephon Marbury, Hornets C Vlade Divac and
Nuggets F LaPhonso Ellis are among players "considering"
playing in Europe this season (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 11/18). In
Toronto, Craig Daniels: "NBA players are talking openly
about jumping ship. The only question is whether they're
doing so because the ship is sinking" (TORONTO SUN, 11/18).
CALL OLIVER STONE! In Detroit, Perry Farrell reports
that, "Some teams are suspected to be using untraceable,
prepaid calling cards to deal secretly with free-agent
players and their agents" during the lockout. Team reps
"fear of having only three weeks after the lockout to
assemble a squad." One free agent said he recently returned
from a visit to an NBA team (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 11/18).
JAYSON'S BACK: Nets C Jayson Williams, on a recent
"secret" meeting between labor negotiators: "Why would you
hold a meeting in secret? You know, I think the public
deserves the right to know what's going on." More Williams:
"Don't worry about me and my colleagues. We all make
millions of dollars" ("Fox Sports News," FSN, 11/17).
LOCKOUT FALLOUT: The CHICAGO TRIBUNE's Web site has
posted a searchable database listing team and player
salaries for the '97-98 season (THE DAILY)....In Chicago,
Steve Rosenbloom notes the failure of Suns President Jerry
Colangelo and Michael Jordan to meet and discuss the lockout
while Jordan was "on vacation" in Phoenix. Rosenbloom: "So
there you go. They don't care. Why should you?" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 11/18)....Lakers F Robert Horry: "Right now I'm
looking at us not playing this season" (CTV SportsNet).
...NBPA President Patrick Ewing is interviewed in the N.Y.
DAILY NEWS. Ewing: "David Stern is making comments that I'm
probably the wrong person to be the president because in his
eyes I'm just looking out for the superstars. But that's
just not the case. I'm trying to look out for everybody"
(N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/18)....In NJ, Adrian Wojnarowksi writes
under the header, "NBA Union Forgetting The Little Guy."
Wojnarowski: "Falk and Ewing are looking out for themselves,
for the preservation of the $100 million contracts, and the
4 percent agent commissions. Nothing else matters here"
(Bergen RECORD, 11/18)....In Denver, Mike Monroe reports
that Stern spoke with Dikembe Mutombo and told him that he
"was not holding" back a new proposal (DENVER POST, 11/18).
...BLOOMBERG's Scott Soshnick writes that "many" player
agents are "praising the hard-line approach" that Hunter is
taking in labor talks. Marc Fleisher: "Billy did the right
thing drawing a line in the sand. Until the league
indicates a desire to sit down and talk in good faith, I
think [Hunter's] just wasting his time" (BLOOMBERG, 11/18).
