Derek Fisher, the president of the National Basketball Players Association and a point guard for the L.A. Lakers, appeared on ESPN's Jim Rome Is Burning on Wednesday to talk about the NBA lockout in advance of a reported meeting between top officials of the players' union and the league on Thursday.
NBA Lockout: Derek Fisher Says Stars Are Involved In Union, Players Won’t Accept Hard Cap
Fisher defended the NBA's star players, who have been far less visible than some would like as the lockout winds through its third month. Fisher said that stars including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire have been at meetings or on conference calls throughout the negotiations, and that the union has sought to allow its elected executive committee -- which Fisher leads -- handle most of the public speaking opportunities.
Fisher also reiterated that the union had no interest in losing its demand for the continuation of the current soft salary cap structure.
“We’ve been clear on that from the beginning,” Fisher said, referring to the players’ refusal to accede to a hard cap system supported by ownership.
While Fisher wasn’t asked about Thursday’s meeting or a reported meeting between attorneys from the two sides happening on Wednesday, he did say he believes a fair deal can be completed in time to save the season start of Nov. 1.
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