NBPA officials yesterday revealed that the "owners’ original insistence on a hard-cap system with shorter and non-guaranteed contracts has not changed during the 18 months" since the CBA proposal was initially made, according to Ken Berger of CBSSPORTS.com. Lakers G and NBPA President Derek Fisher said, "There’s no hiding the fact that the main components of what we originally received in their proposal has not changed at all." Despite counterproposals by each side since then and three negotiating sessions during the NBA Finals, NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter said there has been "little or no movement on the part of the owners." Fisher added, "It’s very clear that if we don’t agree to what we’ve been offered so far, we’re probably facing a lockout." Berger noted the "gloomy comments from union officials came a day after NBA commissioner David Stern stated that he was 'optimistic' a deal could be achieved before the current agreement expires June 30." Stern also "tempered his optimism" yesterday. He said the two sides remain "very far apart," adding, "Both sides have moved, but we’re not anywhere close to a deal." At the conclusion of yesterday's negotiating session in Dallas, Hunter said that "one owner stated that he was pessimistic that a deal would be reached by the end of the month." Hunter added, "I'm forced to share that sentiment. It's going to be a difficult struggle." Still, the sides are scheduled to meet twice more next week, and Stern said, "As long as there’s negotiation, I’m optimistic. If we were at a point where it didn’t pay to have negotiations, we wouldn’t be planning meetings" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/8).
THE SPACE BETWEEN: Fisher said, "At this point in the negotiations we still feel we’re very far apart in major components. ... I don’t want to sugarcoat that reality that a lockout is a real possibility. But we’re not going to wait for that to happen and then get serious about this process" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/9). More Fisher: "We're frustrated by the lack of movement. We were hoping that we'd be making more progress by now." Hunter said, "We're miles apart. I don't know if we can get a deal done or not. But we're going to keep talking and trying" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/9). Fisher said the NBPA is “adamantly opposed” to the primary “demands” of the owners’ proposals. He added, “We’ve gone back and forth a lot on trying to find that middle ground. There still hasn’t been much movement at all from that tenet there has to be a hard salary cap, we need to have non-guaranteed contract, we need shorter contracts. We feel we need the right to negotiate those things" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/9).
IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT ... In a USA TODAY cover story, Jeff Zillgitt notes LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade teaming to play for the Heat "was good for the NBA this season," but the "way the team was formed and the prospect of contentious labor negotiations after the Finals raise key questions: Was it good for the league in the long term?" Has the NBA's competitive balance "swung too favorably in Miami's direction at a time when the league is seeking" a new CBA aimed at "lowering salaries and enhancing the competitive balance among teams?" In addition to record TV ratings this season, the Heat have "injected renewed interest in the NBA that has led to increased traffic on league-related websites, a rise in merchandise sales and a slight bump in attendance." Heat President Pat Riley's "star-collecting strategy might be a blueprint for other teams" next summer, when Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard all become free agents. Stern said that he "did not think a new CBA would force Miami to dismantle its roster" next season. Stern: "I would expect (the Heat) to be together. I hope so." But Zillgitt notes "re-creating what the Heat did won't be easy." ABC/ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy: "The CBA will reflect the owners' fear of the same thing happening over and over. All these teams deserve a chance, if they're well-managed, to make a profit and play for a championship" (USA TODAY, 6/9).
