The NFL lockout is over 100 days old while the NBA lockout is just a few hours from starting up. We’ve been covering the NFL lockout from day one so it’s time to let our NBA brethren in on a few things to expect during basketball’s work stoppage.
From NFL To NBA Lockout: What To Expect
Here are a few tips and things to expect in the coming months.
A deal won't get close until the the two sides are close to actually losing something. In the NFL's case, it seems the two sides never really got close to serious negotiations until things like free agency and training camp were coming close to being jeopardized. (The NFL lockout is actually still on at the moment but many people expect the two sides to come to an agreement within weeks in order to save the preseason.) Expect the same in the NBA. There may not be any serious progress made until October.
It’s going to be ugly publicly for a while. The owners and players will snipe at each other, as will NBA chief David Stern and the head of the NBPA, Billy Hunter. They’ll make public comments that are a little childish and other owners and players will leak information designed to make the other side look silly. It’ll remind you at times of a bunch of children.
The misinformation thrown out will nauseate you. One writer will report that the owners made a reasonable offer and the players only have a litigation strategy so they don’t want it. A few hours later, another writer will report that the owners offer was a complete low-ball and the players should be insulted by it. It’s tough to know who to believe but you’ll find out that some reporters will side with the owners, and some the players.
Both sides are doing this for the fans. In the NFL’s case, they were trying to find a better financial structure in order to grow the game -- for the fans! -- and to, among other things, keep ticket prices from getting too high -- for the fans! The players were defending themselves against the owners and simply wanted the league to #LetUsPlay. Remember, both sides are in this for the fans. I suspect the NBA and the NBPA will employ a similar strategy and do their best to win the battle of public perception. My recommendation? Don’t fall into the trap. Blame them both.
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