Bad news, new news and a bunch of baseball

Feared this was coming.

A breakdown in talks, some name-calling, some bitterness, a lot of anger and, I presume, an announcement today that at least another two weeks – maybe three – have been cancelled in the regular season.

Who’s to blame?

Well, I continue to think there’s more than enough blame to go around but by all indications – and I trust the fellow scribblers working the talks more than I trust the people in the room – it would seem, as we also feared, the owners are far from “together” on what they want.

Always figured there were four sides to this dispute:

Players.

Some owners.

Some other owners.

Agents.

And if the hard-liners among the owners – and by reports it’s people who own so-called “small market” teams – aren’t willing to make any concessions whatsoever, and who seem quite fine with missing an entire season or at least squashing the players instead of working with them in some way, we’re in for a much longer and more protracted work stoppage than a lot of us ever imagined.

The most troubling aspect?

The anger that surfaced for the first time last night, with Derek Fisher telling reporters they’d been “lied” to by deputy commissioner Adam Silver, who had accused the union of walking away from talks.

Maybe it was just a function of the time they’d spent together over three days, tempers do get short when strong-willed men with a lot riding on things can’t come to anything close to an agreement.

But you can see more disgust, at least publicly, than we’ve seen in some time and that’s a big step backwards. How they get past that and move on in beyond me but it has to happen.

Saner heads prevailing?

At one time I thought that entirely possible.

Now? Not so much.

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One last kick at the mailbag, okay?

Go here. Type innermost thoughts. Hit send. Entertain me.

Besides, they want a couple of questions to put in the paper tomorrow and I have to fill two weekend days after that and, so far, we’ve not nearly seen enough probing queries. Or even easy questions.

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Totally under-rated TV show?

Big Bang Theory.

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Now that was some kind of baseball game, no?

And goes to show how little things – at any time in the game – can make a huge difference.

You know me and baseball defence, right? Best part of the game and those two plays the Texas middle infielders made in the middle of the game made that ninth-inning Rangers rally possible.

The double-play in the fourth – the backhanded flip from Andrus (now maybe my fifth-favourite Elvis) to Kinsler who made the bare-handed catch and the turn, and Andrus’s diving stop in the fifth – kept the game close enough so that Texas could get those two in the ninth and win.

They were, as we call them, the “wow” moments.

Now, we went over the individual pitching matchups and how important they were yesterday but I wonder if Tony LaRussa (smartest man in the room, just ask him) might have over-managed in that ninth.

I’m not sure hooking the closer Motte to get Rhodes vs. Hamilton (lefty vs. righty) was the smartest thing. No question Hamilton’s not himself (something about a groin injury) and at that point in the game, I’d stick with my closer. But that’s just me.

Of course, none of it might matter if Pujols doesn’t botch the cutoff play on the single to right in the ninth. If he catches the ball – and the throw was not great but still okay – the Rangers don’t have runners at second and third and maybe LaRussa sticks with Motte and who knows what happens then.

And gives the chattering masses something else to talk about; isn’t always that way in baseball? Managerial decisions are debated and debated and it’s fun the morning after, especially on a travel day in the Series.

Anyway, this is shaping up to be a good one and given the dearth of other good sports on TV, it’s going to make weekend evening viewing pretty good.

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Not often we break news here in this little corner of the interweb but we are today.

Got an e-mail early this morning to tell me the good folks at Roma in the Italian basketball league have turned down the ashleymadison.com sponsorship deal.

No reason given – probably doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out – and I hope they can find an equally willing sponsor with deep pockets ready to right a cheque while the season’s going on.

Guess it’s not all that big a deal over on this side of the Atlantic but, still, it’s news.

There you go.

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Hmm.

Things seem pretty normal today, don’t they? Got up, life went on, made a long drive, saw sun come up, sitting around typing.

Guess the end of the world thing’s coming later on. Hope I get the mail done before.

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Speaking of the mail:

Q: One can knit pick the ESPN top 500 rankings but all in all hard to really argue with in general. Important take away the Raptors along with 4 other franchises do not have a single player ranked in the top 50, worse at 81 AB is the highest ranked Raptor! He is the lowest ranked 20pt scorer in the league, B. Lopez at 51 is the next closest. BC can sell us on our young nucleus, but that is a pipe dream as all of the top ten teams have 3 players at least in the top 50!Can any of our young players make that leap? One can dispute a position here or there, but again the hall of shame is Toronto, Utah, Clevland, Detroit and Charlotte and their records speak for themselves!

Jason P, Toronto

A: Of course the good teams have good players high on those totally subjective rankings done only to provoke discussion.

Can’t imagine anyone’s surprised by the fact a team that’s been out of the playoffs for three years in a row and comes off a 21-61 season would have highly-ranked players. That’s not going to happen, nor should it.

And you can talk all you want about “pipe dreams” but the fact is the Raptors are – as we’ve said for a year – a team of young, unproven talent that is going to need some time to figure out how to play and win in the NBA.

Until they do that, I’d suggest their individual talent will continue to be “ranked” low but experts who have their own ranking criteria.

I don’t think anyone’s ever suggested this was a good team ready to make its mark but I do think there are a few promising young players and let’s see where their subjective “ranks” are in, say, two seasons.

For now, enjoy it for what it was: A talking point in a dreadfully boring summer.

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Comments

[ET]

thanks for the update. it is starting to make a lot more sense. Smaller market teams aren't making (or losing) money, the larger market teams that are making money want the players to pay (in pay cuts) to compensate those smaller markets.

I think it is time that the NBA, start to look at the league as one big interconnected organization and they need a lot of those smaller markets for them to exist. The Knicks/Lakers/Bulls need markets like Cleveland/Atlanta/Sacremento.

It sounds to me like this is more of an internal owners battle than anything else.

[TLI]

I've been patient - to the point of indifference, really - as the smooth-talkers work on working out the new CBA. But now I'm getting ticked! It's all too clear now that the owners did not come to the table ready to negotiate in good faith. If they can't find common ground among themselves, how can they expect the players to get on the same page?

This is shameful!! The owners had all the time in the world to prepare a bargaining position and a bottom line that would empower the negotiating team to get a deal. They failed, and they're failing all of us now. The players have every right to be disgusted.

[larry lukeeborg]

agree that the owners are the villains in this crime. if the entire season is let, what might the impact be on older players like nash, nowitzki and bryant?

Blogger's note: Huge impact, rob them of a season when they might not have many left

[ditch]

I stopped a kid on his way to our local public school. I asked him if he could divide four billion by two. He said two billion. I asked him if he had time to work for the NBA...maybe at recess.

He said to leave him alone or he'd call a cop.

[JHK]

Is it just me or do people think of the adult film actress when you see the name Ashley Madison...

[john]

Hey Doug, disappointing news on the talks breaking down. I think my biggest surprise is how dug in the owners are about system changes to prevent another Carmelo, Bosh and James show from happening. The way those players handled themselves during their time of pending free agency was a bit of a slap in the face to the owners and the league. Even the media members had to ‘hold their nose’ at the spectacle that was created that while completely within the rules, overshadowed the game. There is so much talk about ‘respecting the game’ and those shenanigans didn’t respect anyone but the players ego. They were overshadowing the league with their ‘look at me I’m more important that the league’ media hype and now the league is wresting some of that control back. I don’t think this is about money anymore. This is about embarrassed Billionaires fighting back the only way they can and that’s by changing the rules. We have heard so many reports about splitting the BRI but the players will lose more than they are holding out for if they stay out past the middle of December so that makes no sense and Hunter is way too smart for that. This is about the system.

Stern is well known as someone that you don’t cross and I think the light may be coming on for the players now. D Wade can sit and throw angry words at “David” and point his finger at him, I am curious to see if his resolve is worth $16 million.

[Lorie]

I don't know if anything can be described as "clear" now. So, this is a four-sided situation, eh? But, I would suggest an "uneven" four sides. Which makes it an Irregular Quadrilateral. And, as Doug might have experienced from the Irregular-ity around here, for Mr. Cohen, this must be a little like herding cats and a lot like minding mice at a crossroad. Cheers. And Doug, you saw the sun rise today - you MUST have been Raptured. We've had 5 straight days of run with another 5 forecast. Enjoy the light. Whatever the source. :)

[Gavin]

I couldnt be happier at the impasse and the conflict between small/large market teams. With collusion between James, Wade and Bosh last year to create a super team in Miami it makes sense for teams like Toronto, Atlanta, Cleveland to take a stand. Why not refuse to come back to the table until there is a system that allows smaller market teams the same opportunities that NY, L.A, Miami and Chicago have. This is a chance for the Toronto's and Cleveands of this league to demand a CBA that brings parity to the league. Look what the last CBA did for the NHL's smaller market teams. Id rather see no basketball than have to watch Lebron, Wade and Bosh destroy Weems, Bayless and Barbosa.

Blogger's note: I don't think you can hold New York up as a shining example of franchise excellence and I presume you moved Cleveland to the have-nots after they played for one championship and were in another conference final. Things are cyclical, never linear

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Since the NBA season could well be down the tubes, maybe you could help me out here: my allegiance is torn between the Oshawa Power and the London Lightning. On the one hand Oshawa is closer to Toronto, but on the other hand Lightning head coach Michael Ray Richardson was drafted two spots ahead of Larry Bird in 1978. And...er...that's about it. Neither team has a roster posted on-line yet, although Oshawa is holding dance pak auditions. London forgot to put anything on the home page. Pre-season starts next week.

If I lived out east it would be easier--I'd be rooting for the Moncton Miracles because they have a guard named Jazzmarr Ferguson.

Tough decisions. At times like this I really miss the Frost Heaves.

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: If I'm not mistaken, a former Frost Heave was an NBL draft pick. I cannot remember if it was London or Oshawa or one of the teams down East but that might sway you?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

I can't imagine seeing a better post than @ditch laid out at 9:35. Awesome.
Football, anyone? Darts? Cheers.

[Steven]

After watching the press conferences yesterday, I'm starting to think that you may want to approache leagues sources to find out what happens with the draft if the season is cancelled. I still think it will get resolved in January like the last negotiation as both sides understand the ramifications of cancelling the season but if the owners are not onside then just maybe it wont get done. You know it will be trouble when you're doing a list of the five best lists you've done since the lockout began.

[Dave]

Good morning. I am very disappointed in the outcome yesterday and I don't see any resolution that can get the league started before January.

As you have clearly stated many times, you place most of the blame on the owners. I respectfully disagree with you. "It takes two to Tango".

I really think the previous CBS was weighed far too much in the favour of the players and the owners are seeking to bring back some balance. I do not believe the players should get over 50 percent of BRI when they don't pay any of the operating expenses and take zero risk due to the guaranteed contracts.

I also think the Salary Cap and exemption issues were raised by the number of highly paid players mailing it in for whole seasons; remember Hedo Turkoglu. He is not the exception as many others have done it also. I also do not believe any player is worth Ten Million dollars to play any sport when they are catered to like Kings.

I think the NBA financial situation has gotten completely out of hand over the past ten years and the current players don't realise this as they came into the league under these conditions. Who else employed by an organisation (other than Bank Executives) make this kind of money and who receives a guaranteed 10 percent raise each year.

It is sad the we may lose the whole season, especially for all those workers who need their low paying jobs to survive. It will make for a long winter for all of us. I hope the blame get spread around to both the owners and the players.

[sam]

I think @Gavin has said it best so far.
A league is only as strong as it's weakest team.
A team is only as strong as it's weakest player.
Last summers gathering of LBJ, Bosh and Wade in Miami was not a coup for the Heat, but smells of 3 players using a flawed system to thier advantage and sign and play for one team. The competitive balance gets tossed aside.

Whats troubling is that there isn't a united front with the owners.

As an employee - I wouldn't want to see my paycheck rolled back - and my future earnings in limbo - There has to be some common ground - and a fair breakdown for both sides, where everyone wins.

[jon]

I'm all for the owners on this one. I think you can really thank LeBron for this whole mess. He essentially held the league hostage, tied up millions of dollars throughout the league as teams made cap space to have a play at signing him. Owners see the trend that has begun, with 'Big Threes' popping up in Boston, Miami and soon to be New York. I say crack the whip, let these players know that fans will have no problem watching the thousands of other young kids out there.

[John]

Just an aside.
I don't think Big Bang Theory is under rated at all.
The show won a TCA award, the lead actor won a TCA.
He also won an Emmy (twice) and a Golden Globe.

[One unhappy NBA fan]

Haven't written in a while, but have been reading. I don't feel bad for the players or the owners. I'm kind of just ticked off that they can't (or just won't) reach a deal. The people who I feel sorry for (like many others have stated) are those who earn their living through NBA games (the real workers). This is getting rediculous and I don't see it ending soon; my money is on no season. I truly hope that the NBA loses the casual fan and pays for their greed.

[Michel G]

I think the CBA negotiations are proceeding exactly as the owners have planned all along. I could be wrong, but I remember an interview David Stern had with Bill Simmons in the summer and this is the picture he painted if the negotiations dragged on for too long. All I wish for in this mess is for the NBA middle-class to be severely cut back. Jason Kapono made 6.6 million dollars last year on the back end of his mid-level deal. That's just wrong.

[The J]

Big Bang Theory was under-rated two years ago. I've heard so many people say it is "under-rated" with so many others claiming it is the funniest show on TV, that it is easy to say that it is now bordering on over-rated.

It's funny that people are so surprised the owners are so far apart with each other. If anything is becoming clear it is that the owners have had no interest in reaching a deal at this point. Don't get me wrong if the players completely caved and handed over there first born, sure the owners would have taken it. But the truth is, all the owners want right now is for time to pass, players to lose money, lose resolve, and cave. The owners are rich beyond the players dreams, so they haven't lost a thing yet. Not to mention if so many are losing money operating the league, then they are saving money right now with a lockout. Meanwhile the players are losing paycheques with minimal other options (some have their ad deals, but thats about it). The owners are in no rush, and might even be stalling. So of course they don't have consensus within the owners, they still think they have all the time in the world to figure that part out.

I hope out of all of this, someone is thinking of the fans. For a few reasons too. One, I hope somebody is thinking about the game we are missing. Two, I hope someone is thinking about more than how to make more money, and rather how to ensure a competive and entertaining league. But most of all, I hope for their own sake someone is thinking about how much they will lose if the game comes back but we don't. It wont happen in every city, but I think the Baseball strike and NHL lockout proved it does happen in some cities. If the owners think they have nothing to lose, they will find out next year when some cities have arenas more barren then ever.

[SheikYurbouti]

The longer this goes on, the more attention I'm paying to the issues and the rhetoric coming from both sides, and I'm leaning heavily in favour of the owners' side. Just like with the NHL, it's obvious the system needs fixing. The NHL suffered for a couple of years, but is now healthier than ever and I don't think the big stars are suffering from "only" making $8 million vs $10 million, with more competitive balance under the hard cap.
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When reading comments over at ESPN.com, it appears the majority of "kids" have the sole argument of we pay to see the players, not the owners, and most "adult" support, where there's more understanding of business, economics, and the real world, is continuing to build toward the ownership side. I agree. We shouldn't expect a significant number of owners having to accept losing money, even while staying under the cap, while the deep pockets who don't mind losing millions (Cuban), or large markets (LA) can go $20-50 million over the cap and seriously reduce the chance of other teams being competitive.
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The system needs fixing and the players need to get off their high horses and realize what a good deal they get for playing a game, even if they agreed to every condition the owners are throwing at them, and I don't think they have to do that.

[Boko]

Bravo regarding Big Bang Theory.

The current roster is positioned to have a three year run in two years. Bargnani will be past his peak, and Calderon & Barbosa will be way past their peaks. I expect all three to be gone by the fall of 2013 ...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

I just got dragged kicking and screaming to see "50/50" because, come on, is a comedy about cancer a turkey that's going to, you know, fly? It was excellent. All the more so because it's based on a true story. And I'm now a new member of the Seth Rogen Fan Club. Cheers. Go Bears!

[Mike kovacs]

Doug that must be a pretty big check if Roma need help to 'right' it!

[tye]

players need to ask themselves, where can they make 20 million a year playing basketball other than in the NBA. 6 million if you are a role player playing 20 to 25 minutes a night. Where can they make the league minimum of about 700 grand a year being the last guy on the bench that never sees play. Where in the world can they can get 5 year guaranteed contracts while performing at an acceptable level for about 6 months of that contract.

That is the NBA, where getting rich at the drop of a hat happens, NBA players are the best paid pro athletes in Pro Sports. If teams are making money in the process it's no big deal but if teams are going to go broke then the players need to ask themselves are they willing to get the best show in town cancelled while arguing over what might be an unreasonable sum of money?

Are they going to start their own league or play in Europe for fractions of what they make in the NBA.

[doug]

just read the blog entries and there is so much misinformation on here, and what Lebron,Wade and Bosh have to do with it is beyond me, first off Bosh and Wade left millions on the table, as did James all 3 never signed for what they could have received and the Heat were positioned financially to make it happen...also people ramble on about small market teams, and first off what makes anyone think that the Raps are a small market team??...we are far from it.....and also it is incumbent on the owners to have revenue sharing, every other league has it, the NBA doesn't which would level the playing field between franchises....and someone needs to explain to Stern and the owners what the word negotiate means, it means to hit a common ground, the owners have no desire to do so....and another thing is would people quit talking about the BRI, as though it is the only issue, their is a multitude of them.....the owners want one big fix in a 10 year deal,and people keep saying it is a fight over a 4 billion dollar piece of pie, hello it's a 10 year deal the owners want, that amounts to a minimum of 40 billion , as there will be revenue increases in the future, so come on let's get real, it has nothing to do about this season at all,1 or 2 percent either way is a hell of a lot of coin when taken in the context of 40 bill+..,,,,...and as far as the Big Bang Theory goes it's a well written , well acted sitcom...ok cheers

[Steph]

Was it really a surprise to hear that some owners disagree with each other, or that some have diferent opinions on what would constitute a good deal? Considering that most comments come from irregulars, it has to be disappointing Doug that so many are so surprised to hear that and jump on the players bandwagon without ever giving thought that the players themselves have diferent opinions on would constitute a good deal for them.
..
Share your opnion Doug, but do so while educating the masses on what it might be like to be negotiating on behalf of 30 egalomaniacs as opposed to 700.