Broussard One player rep told me he's leaning toward pushing for acceptance of deal at Tuesday's union meeting; another said he's undecided....
Some are calling that contingent "the silent majority." Houston's Kevin Martin isn't staying quiet though - With NBA commissioner David Stern threatening to erase months of negotiating progress by Wednesday if players refuse to accept the deal that is on the table, Rockets guard Kevin Martin -- an eight-year veteran who is owed $24 million over the next two seasons -- believes it's time for players to accept the proposal and get back to work. "If you know for sure [the owners] are not moving, then you take the best deal possible," Martin wrote in a text message to SI.com. "We are risking losing 20 to 25 percent of missed games that we'll never get back, all over 2 percent [of basketball-related income] over an eight- to 10-year period [of the eventual collective bargaining agreement]. And let's be honest: 60 to 70 percent of players won't even be in the league when the next CBA comes around." Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...vin.martin.nba.labor/index.html#ixzz1d4HzDfJF
Broussard Anthony Parker, Cavs player rep, said he favors rejecting deal. Said Cavs teammates and player reps he's spoken with are also against deal.
Parker said players have 2 options: accept deal or decertify. He thinks players could decertify and get deal done in time for season.
Amick Can confirm @WojYahooNBA tweet about Lakers' Steve Blake rallying the "silent majority" troops. Blake is irate at union and wants to play.
No reason not to take the deal And there's no reason for the regular NBA players to think the starts have their best interests in mind. Stupid to believe that. The number of regular players far outweigh the star players. If they're smart they'll vote on this deal and pass it. Don't listen to Pierce and KG for crying out loud.
Aldridge Per source, still no vote expected--even a non-binding one--among player reps on current labor proposal at tomorrow's union meeting.
Woj Despite Blake's efforts, conversations w/ agents and players today suggest there's still much stronger support for rejecting league offer.
Amick Third agent chimed in to say his 12 guys all willing to decertify. Not part of the Super Seven.
KauffmanSports Pls correct me if I'm wrong. In 98-99 when Union wouldn't put it to a vote;after some strong pressure from rank n file; deal passed 166-3!!
KauffmanSports yes that pressure from players was on eve of season being cancelled; but most likely that's what we're looking at here w decert movement
This is the thing that I don't get... why doesn't the union at least poll the rank and file and see exactly what they think. Aren't they supposed to be representing all the players' interests? Why wouldn't the union execs find out what they want and ask for it?!? Maybe I'm too simple minded to understand the concept.
Think it's big news that Kobe wants to make a deal Finally a big name for that side. Everyone else (Durant/KG/etc) keep saying it's not good enough, and that they trust Billy Hunter w/e. Pull everyone together, Kobe.
It seems like most of these players are so used to deferring to the 30 or so "Superstars" they aren't thinking for themselves anymore. These stars are only looking out for their own interests (which are completely different than the journeyman type player) and can afford to miss some games. The majority, who aren't even close to making the max., need figure out that their vote means as much as anyone else's. Seriously, it is becoming so obvious these players (and union "executives") are just out of their league when it comes to negotiating with billionaires. They just have no grasp of reality at all!
This may have already been posted but oh well If this is true, what a fucking dipshit. Wow. Can we please only have qualified people have a hand in this please?
Who are these player reps? http://www.nbpa.org/player-representatives TBH, I see only Pierce, Parker, Hawes, Bonner, and possibly Evans rejecting the deal. Rest of them seem like they would want to play. Just guess, though.
I knew there was a reason I liked Kevin Martin. He's a realist. Can you imagine him trying to talk to an egotistical dope like Kevin Garnett about the impact of missing a season?
Biggest problem in this fiasco? The players are stupid. NHL players get like 40% I think NFL 48% Of course I'm sure he thought the deal was fine when the NBA owners were getting 43%
Rondo (and other dolts like him) need to understand that performing artists aren't guaranteed shit. If they under perform, they're out money.
