Strike?????

Here are the 4 major issues why the sides cannot come to an agreement.

1) the owners' proposal to reduce the amount of annual raises in a contract from 10 percent to 5 percent

2) a "super luxury tax" that would more harshly penalize teams that spend more than a certain predetermined threshold

3) the proposed minimum age requirement of 20 years old

4) shorten guaranteed contracts from 6 & 7 years to 3 & 4 years

These are all tough issues for them to hash out, and with the latest talks getting personal, I'm concerned a strike could happen. Out of these 4 issues I agree two changes need to be made.

I'm all for the "super luxury tax" for teams going over cap space. Last year (according to Hoopshype.com figures) 26 out of 30 teams played this season with salaries exceeding the $43.3Million cap figure. Only 4 teams played with a roster under that amount, Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets, and Charlotte Bobcats. Those teams happened to be the four worst teams last year in the league. Imposing a super luxury tax should help preven teams like the New York Knicks ($105Million) and Dallas ($91Million) Mavericks to play with a roster that's more than double the salary cap figure.

The other issue I agree with is shortening the guaranteed contracts. In fact, I wish there were no guaranteed contracts at all for the players. The players will not think it's fair, but as a fan I don't think it's fair to see a player get a huge contract and then not perform. I prefer to have no guarantees like the NFL does. If a player doesn't produce and earn his contract than they can cut the player and not tie down their franchise for the next 5 years. Shortening the guaranteed contracts prevents the Vin Baker's of the league to ride pine and earn $5Million to $6Million a year or a team like Philadelphia having to pay Todd MacCulloch an average of $6Million dollars for the next 3 years, even though he cannot play basketball anymore.

The age limit I'm on the fence with, because the NBA needs to create a minor league system before they should impose this restriction. There is no guarantee having players come in at 20 versus 18, will improve the game of basketball. There have been plenty of letdowns from both players making the jump from high school, and players who stay in college for 4 years.

The first issue is laughable, there is no reason for the owners to only want a maximum 5% pay raise. A maximum 10% raise is standard they should not spend too, much time negotiating this.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting nkwu:</div><div class="quote_post">A minor leagues system is KEY for the league right now, it would be better than the NBDL IMO.

As for the super luxury tax, before that ban be implememted is they have to raise the cap by a little bit, There's a reason why only 4 of 30 teams were under the cap.

As for the contracts, I don't follow the NFL, but what you say shape sounds good, but the contracts should have a guaranteed time limit wih each one having a clasuse for if they don't perform. or something.</div>

The figure swirling around for the cap space next year is $50Million, which roughly $7Million more than this year's cap. This should help quite a few teams next year with an increased cap. You can add one or two solid players with the extra $7Million to spend without having to pay a luxury tax.

The important thing right now is to just get the discussions going again and start making progress. They only have 6 weeks to work out a deal before the owners lock the players out. If a lock out occurs this means no NBA run summer leagues, which will impact the young players, new rookies, and other players trying to make a team in the off-season.

 

Yes GREED is the catalyst for this squabble and neither side is putting the best interests of the fans and the game of basketball in front of the might dollar. I'm favoring the owners at this point. The NBA players have it better than any of the other two major sports, MLB and the NFL. I believe they have the highest salary average, and their contracts are guaranteed through lack of performance or injury. At the end of the day these players need to realize they are making ridiculous money to play a sport they supposedly 'love.' There are thousands of other people around the world who would jump at the opportunity to play in the NBA. I think lowering the length of guaranteed contracts will give a lot of these players a wake up call. I'm tired of seeing players only give their best effort in a contract year, get overpaid and then coast through the rest of the contract, then have their minutes cut, then complain about it. Yes Vin Baker you are exhibit A in the malcontent player movement of the NBA.

 

I read that one agent says that Summer League is definately cancelled but no neither side cares because of the cost to run Summer League, he said that it would be done before the regular season. Of course this is just one opinion but it brings hope to us fans. This is definately all about the money, its really sickening.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">I heard this on TV somewhere.

"It's Millionaires vs Billionaires"

All about money. It's rediculous in my opinion.

They better make a deal fast because the NBA will lose alot of money if they have a lockout. And I know these greedy businessmen dont like losing money.</div>

The owners could care less about losing money from the NBA teams they own. They are willing to sit things out to gain a higher revenue share or have more control over players. Owning an NBA team is not their primary source of revenue, it's just a luxury for them to own. Besides if they lose money they just use it as a tax writeoff.

The people who really get hurt by the lockout money wise are the vendors and other people who work in the stadium or promoting the team.

I wasn't aware Summer League was already cancelled, that's a real shame. Those are some of the rare chances you get to see a young rookie showcase their skills and get a look at some possible sleepers making the league.

 

I also see a lockout happening and if it does, it's going to be longer than a month. Last night David Stern basically said, this is the best offer the owners plan to make, and if the Union prolongs it past the July 1st deadline, then the same deal won't be available. David Stern is not one to bluff, and if the Union's job is to act in the best interest of the players, they better hammer out the deal in the next 5 weeks.