I have said since the first day of the NBA lockout, that there would be games missed and today that became true. NBA commissioner David Stern announced today that the first two weeks of the NBA season will not happen. Below I will give various quotes from all the parties involved.
NBA Commissioner David Stern
“Very far apart on virtually all issues. … We just have a gulf that separates us.”
“With every day that goes by, I think we need to look at further reductions in what’s left of the season.”
“I started out by saying I’m sorry to report, and I’m sad to report that we’ve canceled the first two weeks. We certainly hoped it would never come to this. I think that both sides worked hard to get to a better solution. We think that we made very fair proposals. I’m sure the players think the same thing. But the gap is so significant that we just can’t bridge it at this time.”
Players Rep Derek Fisher
“This is not where we choose to be. “We’re not at a place where a fair deal can be reached with the NBA.”
Executive Director Billy Hunter
“I think everybody is waiting for the players to cave. “They figure that once a player misses a check or two it’s all over. I’m saying … that would be a horrible mistake if they think that’s going to happen, because it’s not going to happen. The players are all going to hang in.”
“I think it would be foolish for them to kill the season, and we’re coming off the best season in the history of the NBA and I’m not so sure in this kind of economy that if there is a protracted lockout whether the league will recover. “It took us a while to recover from the ’98 lockout, and I think it will take us even longer to recover this time around.”
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Tags: NBA Lockout
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