NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter held an extensive conference
call with the media yesterday where the "only thing he
didn't say was that he's mad as hell and not going to take
it anymore," according to Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark
STAR-LEDGER. Hunter: "If you ask me how critical or extreme
things are, I'd have to say they can't be too critical or
extreme if David Stern is planning a vacation next week in
Aspen, Colorado. If that's the case, I would assume that
January the first is not a drop dead date -- not that I
thought it was to begin with" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/17).
Hunter: "Obviously, his timeline isn't affected by getting a
deal before Christmas, not if he's going to Aspen" (ATL.
CONSTITUTION, 12/17). NBA Senior VP Communications Brian
McIntyre, on Stern's accessibility for talks while in CO:
"I'm pretty sure they have phone lines" (USA TODAY, 12/17).
MORE UNION CONCESSIONS: Hunter said players have made
concessions, including a cap on salaries for players with
less than seven years in the league. Hunter: "When I agreed
to cap players in their first six years, I almost choked
getting it out. Look at corporations all over America. I
don't see them capping the salaries of CEOs. I don't see a
cap on David Stern's salary" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/17). The
cap would be at $10M (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/17).
CALL ME, CALL ME, DAY OR NIGHT: Hunter also said that
he had initiated most of the conversations during the
dispute: "The problem with initial contact, it gives the
impression we're weakened. I know on several occasions they
haven't called is because it's an issue of a pride, and that
goes before the fall. Maybe this time, I need to stay where
I am and see if they want to talk to me." Hunter said he
will return to Oakland for the holidays (N.Y. TIMES, 12/17).
But the league issued a response on behalf of Stern saying
that the most recent talks last week were "convened at my
initiative alone. I called him on Tuesday" (NBA). On CBS
SportsLine, Mike Kahn writes that the Hunter/Stern feud has
"almost grown to the point of a teen-aged couple having
their first big fight" (CBS SportsLine, 12/17).
CENTERS OF ATTENTION: During Tuesday's NBPA conference
call, "several players" reportedly criticized comments made
last week by Heat C Alonzo Mourning and Knicks C/NBPA
President Patrick Ewing as "foolish and counterproductive."
One player said that the "strongest statement" was made by
Spurs C David Robinson, who "just told them flat out that if
they don't have anything constructive or positive to say,
keep their mouths shut. He was very outspoken, along with
Gerald Wilkins, Carlos Rogers and other guys" (PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER, 12/17). Hunter acknowledged yesterday that he was
bothered by some comments made by the players, but he didn't
refer to anyone in particular: "I'm not in position where I
can control them, although obviously I would like to do
that, because it's difficult to anticipate what a player
will say at a given time. So we sit here day in and day
out, and we often read in the papers to our distress
comments that have been made by our players. ... I would
like to have a single voice" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/17).
HANDSHAKE DEAL: On "Fox Sports News," Van Earl Wright
reports, "We are now hearing that there could be a hand
shake agreement right after the New Year to end the lockout.
There have also been reports that this thing could be
resolved within 24 hours. Union director Billy Hunter told
our Elise Hart that he agrees ... but only if the owners
start considering the idea of compromise." In an interview
with "Fox Sports News"' Jon Kelley, Michael Jordan said the
need for compromising is "on both sides, not just one side."
More Jordan: "I think calmer heads will arise and I think
you're going to see a deal very soon" (FSN, 12/17). One NBA
team source said, "I'm now more optimistic than I've ever
been. Both sides have made enough concessions and you can
start to see the light" (TORONTO SUN, 12/17).
OWNERS EYE OCTOBER: In Detroit, Perry Farrell reports
that there's a "growing sentiment" among owners, including
the Pistons' Bill Davidson, to cancel the season and try to
reach a settlement before next October (DETROIT FREE PRESS,
12/17)....Celtics F Antoine Walker: "Once David Stern puts a
final offer on the table, that's when you'll see how much
unity we've got." Free agent G Kevin Edwards: "We're going
to stand up to them. They've had too much control and power
over us as it is" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/17).
STOP THE PRESSES: In Boston, Fee & Raposa wrote that
the lockout is "wreaking havoc" with the January publication
of Boston author Glenn Rifkin's latest book, "Radial
Marketing: From Harvard to Harley, Lessons from 10 That
Broke the Rules and Made It Big." The NBA is one of the
ten. Rifkin: "The NBA was a great subject when we chose it.
Let's see if the brand can survive this" (HERALD, 12/15).
