Nothing concrete came out of the six-hour talks that took place in Manhattan on Wednesday between the top-level negotiators of the union and the owners. There is still no light at the end of the tunnel. But they are talking. And that is more progress than there was all of July.
One thing the players and owners did agree on: end the rhetoric and pot shots at the other side. No more Eddy Curry zingers, no more saying the owners got themselves into this mess. Just generally, not a lot that will be said to the media. Other than that, both the players and owners remained quiet as to what was actually said at the meeting and when the next meeting is.
What they did say? Another meeting has been scheduled.
Ben Golliver of Eye on Basketball did a good job rounding up all the recaps and reports from the day’s meeting. What little detail either side was willing to give.
Derek Fisher acknowledged that there was little philosophical change between the two sides, Jeff Zillgit of USA Today reported. But as Adam Silver was quick to mention, just talking was a sign of progress.
I have to agree with Rob Mahoney of Pro Basketball Talk. While nothing concrete was revealed and no actual agreement was made, this is progress. The two sides are getting serious about making a deal happen and saving the season. Whether that will actually happen is still anybody’s guess. But any positive sign is a good sign at this point.
There is still time to save the season. The NBA shot down the report that September 15 was the “doom’s day” before games started getting lost. So there is time.
And now that things are getting serious, maybe a deal gets made. We will just have to wait for the next meeting and the next sign of hope that 2011-12 will happen as scheduled.
