The blame rests with all of 'em; and all of 'em should quit

There are dark times, dark times indeed, uncertainty abounds.

Fans get screwed, arenas workers get screwed, lawyers get rich(er).

Nice move, former NBAPA.

I can’t for the life of me fully and competently explain what a “disclaimer of interest” actually is except to say it’s a move meant to fast-track the NBA labour mess to the courts.

It will allow the former union to sue more rapidly under American anti-trust laws and is a more surefire method of launching that suit because to decertify (the other “nuclear option”) was not a slam dunk either in a vote of union membership or with the United States Labor Relations Board. So the union, in effect, quit.

(Give me ‘til noon to try to figure it out, we’re going to do a little chat thing here, be sure to stop by).

There is no more NBAPA, any new deal will likely be hammered out by lawyers on each side and who knows if we’ll ever see another David and Billy Show.

The league could conceivably open tomorrow, with new rosters, new rules, new whatever it wants but I can’t imagine anything happens until this whole piece of crap starts to wend its way through a tedious legal process.

Blame?

Blame ‘em both.

Blame ego and intractability and bad advice and a lack of leadership on the side of the owners and the players for putting a game so many millions truly love in such jeopardy.

The owners wanted too much, they seemed to want annihilation rather than compromise; the players should have seen the writing on the wall months ago if they wanted to try the legal gambit of decertification or the disclaimer of interest; the players should have taken what they could get because now they have nothing.

There’s no way to predict how this will ultimately turn out but at some point there will be an NBA and at some point some of you will come rushing back because it remains a beautiful game to watch and people simply need sports.

But it will not be easy for the game to return nor should it be. Fans, who pay the money that makes these people richer than any of us can possibly imagine, deserve better. They deserve better than David Stern and they deserve better than Billy Hunter and they deserve better than what they got.

Not sure there’s much recourse, never thought there was, but whenever they come groveling back – and they will – make them pay. Somehow make them pay.

They screwed you over for months, robbed you of a joy in your life.

They all deserve to be treated with disdain.

And both the leaders should resign. Let the lawyers make the money. And the deal.

-

The voters have spoken.

Well, at least a couple of dozen of you who went over to the Facebooky thing to chat, or vote, about the best and most important sports Hall of Fame.

(Here you go, for the laggards who haven’t yet voted, or even seen the other place).

You’ve got baseball well ahead of basketball and hockey (totally ignoring football and football and can’t say I disagree with you.

There’s just something about it, isn’t there? Tough to get into, a long and storied history to celebrate, a near-mystical little town to call home.

To me, it’s not even close.

-

Dear Pissed Off NBA Players Who May Have Wanted A Deal:

Next time someone says ‘hey, who wants to be union rep?’ Don’t reply ‘let the kid do it, it’s lunch, I’ve been at work for three hours and there are video games to play.’

Signed, People Who Don’t Want To Hear You Whine.

-

I’m watching Dougie Gilmour the past few days (and, trust me, there aren’t too many of us who like to be called Dougie, hope he doesn’t mind) and was wondering, ‘hmm, when was the last time I saw him play in person?’

Ready, Leaves fans? This is gonna hurt.

It’s 1993, Super Wife and I are traversing California (in a convertible, as I recall) to celebrate some birthday of note (think I shot 88 at Pebble as a present; or maybe it was 108, can’t remember) whilst the big series is going on.

Anyway, my good friends at McNall Sports hook us up with tickets to Game 6 of the conference final (yes, we paid; yes, we were four rows behind Tom Hanks, as I recall) and, yes, we were in the building for this infamous incident.

(Gretzky hits someone in the face, much angst ensues, Leaves lose, more angst).

Anyway, story gets better. If Toronto wins Game 7, looks like I’m going to have to fly home to be part of the army of People’s Wire Service correspondents covering Leafs-Habs and all the hullabaloo that would entail. Not something I’m entirely looking forward to.

Now, until you’ve tried to find a hockey game in 1993 on some weekday at 4 p.m. Pacific Time somewhere in Monterrey, you haven’t lived. Sure enough, some sports bar in like a Motel 6 has a corner TV and deep enough satellite that it’s got it and, tell you the truth, was no happier to see Toronto lose than the half dozen Kings fans I’ve known in my life.

Almost wanted to make me grow a Barry Melrose Mullet.

But I didn’t.

-

Hey, I missed the pucks Hall of Fame shindig.

Did anyone cry?

Did Ed Belfour wear a tux?

-

Hang on a sec!

No NBA season?

How happy are Pizza Pizza vendors?

Don’t have to pay out stupid promo contest.

From everything bad, something good comes.

-

Think art will imitate life?

And, no, players should not be joking about finding jobs now that the actions of their former union will continue to keep regular people in regular jobs with regular lives at regular arenas, saloons and restaurants out of work.

Hope Footlocker buries this one quickly.

-

Tee-hee.

An airline fined $900,000 for messing with passengers?

Greatest.

Story.

Of.

The.

Day.

-

Comments

[doug]

I personally don't think any of the two leaders should quit, Hunter tried to negotiate and there was none to be done, and Stern is a representative of the owners and he is just portraying their stance...their both messengers, don't shoot the ferryman, oh wait messenger....and to respond to a couple posters from last nights blog, @James no judge in a anti-trust suit worth his salt will pass judgement on what he sees as the terms of the contract, won't happen...and to @qd I am not trying to pass myself off as a expert on anti-trust matters, and yes i cut and pasted from a article as relaying facts is what it is all about, my motto is I read and learn, from others that have knowledge......and as far as the Dougie thing goes, there is one person that calls me Dougie and who i allow to and that is my aunt, a wonderful lady who has been calling me it since I was a wee one....no one else, it is a derisive word to me as it is to many Doug's out there...ok cheers,

[sam]

It is a bit of a mess, isn't it?
I can see both sides of the argument/disagreement, but the truth is - they need each other.
The owners/Sterns line in the sand didn't help things, but I'm sure thier patience was running out with the process. On the other side - the players didn't want to give away the luxuries they've been living with.

A league is only as healthy as it's weakest team - and a team is only as strong as it's weakest bench player. Aside from the compensation issues we've been told the system needs fixing - When the system allows 3 Elite players to pull the strings and end up on one team - there is a problem.
.

[Peter]

Great story about Game 6. :)

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Oh, the angst. Oh, the humanity. We'll be talking about this NBA meltdown for years. There will books, there will be movies, there will be music... and might as well start with "The Ballad of David and Billy" (maybe if we all crowd into a negotiating room with them and sing along, they'd see the light... okay, maybe not...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quVnyZUGdns
Oh, and Doug, could you maybe claim a monopoly on usage of the term "idiot" and ban its use by the rest of us here on the blog? It's an odd and oogie word for perfect strangers to be using on each other. Cheers.

[john]

Hey Doug, great assessment on the disaster of what was the NBA. I feel for Hunter though. His legs were taken out from under him by some agents who are trying to save their lifestyle.
I do have questions, who is paying for this new legal action by the players? It can’t possibly be the NBPA cause the owners would cry shenanigans almost immediately.
Can the league or courts force a vote by all union members?
If a player is a free agent, is he still a member of the union even though he doesn’t have a contract?
Do these free agents get a vote?

[Ross o]

Wow! What a sad day for hoops fans. I'm wondering how many players in reality can go play overseas. It seems as though they all are thinking about it but in reality how many could actually do it. Are the overseas markets clamoring to have an injection of NBA talent or are the players just thinking they do? In reality what are the chances of NBA players being able to play? It's not like the economy in Europe is flourishing. Thanks.

[Rob.V]

Agreed, it would appear that both sides have made monumental mistakes here.
-
Owners: definitely reaching too far. In essence they only have themselves to blame because I dont believe any other league was paying 57% of revenue so they let it get away in previous negotiations. Attemptimg to take back "everything" they've given up in one negotiation is no easy task.
-
Players: Maybe someone out there with a (legal) Sports background can explain this one to me however there are no percentage points awarded by any court that will make up for say $23 million dollars (in the case of Kobe Bryant) if the season is lost. The same can be said for all the players. If an average player throws away this seasons salary it is gone... makes no sense not to take the pay cut and move on.
-
I entirely understand that the players felt they were giving up too much (from a negotiation stand point I would agree with them) however sometimes you just have to live to fight another day. The had their cake and ate it during the last CBA... but nothing that good lasts forever!
-
Player Agents: Ah, where to begin?? I have nothing good to say about these business' because unlike the league or the players I'm not even sure they give a rats ass about the game. It's just about the money...nothing more!!
-
Billy is correct when he says a deal could have, and should have been done. If the determined owners want it all they will likely get it however it's going to cost them a season to do so.
-
The only thing I would ask is not to subject season seat holders to a shortened 50 game season of horrendous Basketball wtih 3-4 games per week. I have no interest in paying for that however what are the chances that MLSE gives us a reprieve on the season if that does indeed happens.
-
Was on a plane to BC once that was grounded for close to 6 hours on the tarmac. About 4 hours in the passengers had had enough and were asking to be allowed back into the terminal. They bascially said that if we got off we couldnt get back on. The cold beverages kept everyone (somehwat) in check however that was the worst 11 hour flight I've ever been on.

[Mike D.]

@Lorie, I was revisiting the whole touchdown/bling thing from yesterday morning's blog as I waited for the train this morning. And I have decided that when I score my first NFL touchdown I am sooooo not giving you the ball.

I agree with @Doug that neither Hunter nor Stern should quit. It's very difficult to be the front man and public face representing the interests of a group that's divided (possibly several ways) behind the scenes.

[john]

For all of you who dont want Hunter to quit... Too late. He did already. He is head of a union who just resigned its right to negotiate on behalf of the players. He quit and has no official voice anymore. No one is in charge of the players at the moment. Its a free for all until the Lawyers get a few players to sign up to have their names on a lawsuit.

[Brad B.]

This season is done. If either side loses, won't the losers appeal the decision to a higher court? I don't see this stopping at anything lower than a Supreme Court decision as I think this situation is without precedence in sports (I believe the NFL dispute ended before the courts came to a decision). That will take a long time, I think.

[leefan]

All the NBA strike really means is that there is now no excuse for having poor ice at the ACC and other multi-use arenas.

Blogger's note: One in every crowd; no concerts either? Really. Lame

[Al]

The players will lose. With a couple exceptions, the owners don't NEED this line of business; the players have nothing else they can do to make even a 10th of what they would earn even under the new proposed deal.

[Kelsey]

The lock out is very stressful for me. Im will be in sports withdrawl by the time Superbowl is over. No basketball ah man!!! Lets hope something gets worked out.

I tried watching Leafs I just cant really get into the hockey. Thank goodness that Football is thursday Sunday and Monday....It will be a long long winter.

[Dave]

And the winners are - Jeffrey Kessler and the agents. While the players and owners individually are losing millions of dollars, Jeffery is running up millions of dollars in billable hours and the agents continue to get paid by the players. What a great deal for them.

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

I've seen this in a couple of places -- that the players should have gone for decertification or the disclaimer of interest months ago. I'm having a bit of trouble wrapping my head around that idea. Doesn't it make sense to try to exhaust every option in negotiation before you go for one of those nuclear options? It seems like the two sides did make progress over the fall; maybe not enough progress, but progress nonetheless. Why "go nuclear" relatively early in the negotiations?

Maybe if you can't answer this now, you can move it to the noontime chat? Not sure if I'll be around then to ask.

Thanks,

Tim

Blogger's note: They obviously felt they had exhausted all avenues in face of ultimatums

[Raj]

Hey Doug

I know there's a lot of angst over the whole Dave Feschuk thing with calling James Reimer's mother about her sons condition. I understand peoples viewpoints on whether it was or wasnt the right thing to do, but what's your opinion Doug? Was what Dave Feschuk did something you would do, just curious?

Blogger's note: Was a helluva good column, I thought. Sure, if the need arose, I probably would

[JHK]

Went to see a show last night at ACC and I thought to myself, I could be watching Raps play, instead I'm watching two grown men wearing speedos and jiggling their you-know-what.

[Adrian]

"Not sure there’s much recourse, never thought there was, but whenever they come groveling back – and they will – make them pay. Somehow make them pay.

They screwed you over for months, robbed you of a joy in your life.

They all deserve to be treated with disdain.

And both the leaders should resign. Let the lawyers make the money. And the deal."

Hmm.. Almost like you're repeating what fans have been saying about the Raptors for years. :) You need to calm down, Doug. Be patient. If the process infuriates you, you need to take your money elsewhere. If you don't like the NBA, nobody's holding a gun to your head. If you can't wait that's your problem, not theirs. This is just entertainment, Doug. This is not the end of the world; you need to stop acting like it is. If you can't have fun with this, maybe NBA basketball isn't the right hobby for you. Be patient, relax and enjoy American Idol. If you can't do that, you have nobody to blame but yourself. Sources tell me the league and players are doing everything they possibly can to give you the best bang for the buck. They won't cut corners simply to appease you (and threaten the future of the league in the process)- nor should they. Enough with your conspiracy theories. Your criticism is laughable. Go find something else to do if you can't enjoy the strategic collective bargaining tactics by shrewd, educated manipulators now on public display. I'm afraid you take this far too seriously.

Blogger's note: This is like crack to you, isn't it? Can't stay away, need your fix. Sad, really

[Nick M]

I'll be fine if the season is written off (honestly how good do we think the Raps are going to be?), but as Raptors fans I think we've given up too much having to suffer through poor team after poor team not to reap the benefits.
-
Sure we have JV over in Europe can quality bball minutes but my major concern is what happens to the draft if this season is cancelled. Does every team get a fair chance at the lottery? By not giving the Raps a chance to suck (honestly how good do we think the Raps are going to be?) the NBA has ruined the Raps chances to align themselves for another good draft pick and, dare I say it (conspiracy warning!!!), open the doors for the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics et. al. to get the number one pick!

[Cluck Kent]

Gosh, I love reading the comments. Not that I don't love the blog, but you just never know what you're going to get in the comments. Some of those Blogger's notes are just too funny.

I agree with everyone you said about the lockout today. They are both to blame and I wish grumpy little fans like me could make them pay. But we live in a celebrity world. People are gaga for anyone with a little fame. I swear I don't understand it myself, but it's as sure as congestion at rush hour. The moment the NBA gets going again folks will be forking out money for shirts and tickets and new channels and autographs (if you can believe that) and I can't even guess what else.

For myself, I'm trying to make productive use out of the time I would otherwise have peed away watching basketball. My son is struggling in school. We don't live together and so in the evenings I get on the phone with him and we work through his homework together.
And I'm teaching myself to type without looking at the keyboard. Sure, I know, these are things I should have done a long time ago. But I didn't and now I am.

Oh, I guess there was one thing you said this morning regarding the strike that I didn't agree with. As much as I enjoy basketball, I don't agree that people simply need sports. I get that an aging grunt needs sports to keep the refrigerator running and gas in the clunker, but in general, people don't need sports - sports need people to watch.
Lastly, if it was possible, I would vote not to post arguments between posters. This is a friendly place for people to express their opinions on your stuff. If they want to argue, let them go that real basketball forum where they could get lost in the constant bickering.

Oh ya, and the Hall of Fame because rich, famous people aren't rich or famous enough already. They should have a Hall of Fame Hall of Fame for the most famous people already in one Hall of Fame but whose fame is diminished because there are so many not quite so famous people cluttering up their respective Halls of Fame. At the end of the day who really cares if Eddie Belfour has a suit?

[The J]

Hmm.. had an idea for a Blog item you could do someday based on your Pizza Pizza comment today: The bright side of not having an NBA season. Some ideas of the top of my head include:
*No reason for people to ask if the Raps should sign Allen Iverson, The Legend, someone who hit one bucket in Europe, or any other player nobody should really want
*Less discussion of the yearly PG Controversy
*While Eddy Curry continues to sit around doing nothing, he is no longer paid to do it
*We can start a "Who will "Shawn Kemp", and put on 50 lbs in the lockout" pool
*No risk of fans booing the team for not going for 100 points and free pizza, when they are winning and should be dribbling out the clock
*Not having to hear Doug complain about fans booing the team for not going for 100 points and free pizza, when they are winning and should be dribbling out the clock
*No "When will Reggie be back" questions
*Less "Bargs is 7 feet how could he have grabbed only 4 rebounds last night" discussions

Think of all the annoying and pesky discussions and comments you have avoided!

BTW: Any news on what is expected to happen with the 2012 draft?

[Mike kovacs]

Could Amare afford to buy all of those shoes on a normal Foot Locker paycheque? Anyway - honest questions: If the seaon is cancelled are current contracts simply delayed 1 year or do they lose 1 year? With the union dissolved what prevents players from changing teams when things resume or would that be part of a new contract to hold them to current contracts?

Blogger's note: They would lose a year. And that second part is not something I can answer, I'm afraid

[Lorie]

@Mike D:
Not to brag, but I have over the years received my share of post-game "souvenirs": baseballs, a puck or two, a lacrosse stick, a variety of sweatbands, socks and shirts, - and once, and I will not provide details (that is if I could remember them...!) - a jockstrap. I accepted them all graciously and as trophies of glorious victories, or at least hard-fought battles, waged in sports arenas. My issue about what happened on Sunday was that it was done mid-game. Like, isn't there a jinx in sports about doing that sort of celebratory stuff...like commenting that so and so was only a pitch away from a no-hitter or a certain goalie was a minute away from a shutout...that just puts a complete hex over the whole proceedings. And, I maintain that even the offering of a lowly jockstrap between a dude and his gal deserves to be done in privacy. Away from prying eyes. Or the mocking of a multitude of beat grunts. Right, Doug? So, you can give me your ball. But privately and post-game, if you don't mind. :)

[drew]

Living out here in Alberta dosen`t allow me the opportunity to show my pure disgust with this lock out/ gotta feed my family BS, but the people in Toronto can. If and when the games come back just boy cot the games and hold a " OJ simpson type of burning " of all Jersays and things NBA in front of the stadium. Only chumps will support this game in the future because no average person could, with good conscience approve of this money issue in times like this. Time to grow up people and support your kids, not the cry baby kids of the NBA

[Manale]

Hey Doug, I think you answered this, but I cant find it.
If the entire season is lost, do they do a new rookie draft before next season?
If so, do the Raps pick at the same spot, or do they fire up the lottery balls again?

Uh.. if there IS a season next year.

Blogger's note: Answered it about once a week since July and twice today. No one will know until a full season is officially cancelled, months from now