This is what you want to hear is you're an NBA fan,
"The circumstances have changed among his constituency," said [Billy] Hunter, the executive director since 1996. "In the last six or seven years, there is a new group of owners to come in who paid a premium for their franchises, and what they're doing is kind of holding his feet to the fire."
Because negotiators are dug in, Hunter said "something has to happen that both of us can use as leverage to save face."
Asked by a conference attendee whether there would be a 2011-12 season, he replied: "If I had to bet on it at this moment, I would probably say no."
There's still plenty of time to get a deal done, but it's not looking likely. Anything either side publicly has to be taken with a grain of salt because they're not going to give up position in their PR battle.
Devin Harris was on the radio yesterday talking about playing overseas (no, but not a hell no) and what's it's been like getting traded
After stops in places like Dallas and New Jersey, what's life like in Salt Lake City?:
"It's not like the other two. It's not that bad. It's kind of quiet, it kind of reminds me of Milwaukee a little bit - smaller, the nightlife is not as grand. But the people there are just tremendous. Some of them are kind of different from the New Jersey-New York area. The people are very friendly. Obviously they love their team. Win, lose or draw, they fill up the stands every night."
Click through for more highlights and the full interview audio.
The only NBA action you might see this year is from 2K Sports and NBA2K12. It's set to release in October and now features 15 legends, 5 of which have already been released,
Instead of focusing on one player like the Jordan Challenge last year, the Greatest Mode will highlight the greatest moments from 15 NBA legends. Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Julius Erving have been revealed, leaving 10 more legends under wraps. Players will relive memorable game from each of the 15 legends, which will unlock the two teams that participated in that game. Once the teams are unlocked, they can be pitted against current-day teams.
Lots of speculation on who the other 10 could be given that it will be from the history of the NBA. Stockton and Malone could make an appearance. I would love to see the game 6 in the 1997 WCF as part of the game. The Shot was the culmination, but the Jazz were down late and Stockton not only hit the three to send the Jazz to the finals, but almost single-handily brought the Jazz back.
This is a cool graphic design project honoring the NBA's top 50 players of all time. Here's the Stockton and Malone one (click for bigger),
Fess' season highlights. Honestly, some of his best moves on offense came on plays that he couldn't finish. I'm thinking of a couple of spin moves in particular that let he left short.
Kyrylo Fesenko 10-11 Season Mix (via memoismoney)