TOMASSON: Second NBA lockout could be on horizon

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 22, 2009 at 9 p.m.

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Photo by Timothy A. Clary / Afp/Getty Images/1999

NBA Commissioner David Stern, right, and union director Billy Hunter might be headed for another showdown in 2011 when the current collective-bargaining agreement could expire.

The nation's No. 1 basketball fan has taken office. He has 2 1/2 years to perhaps save the NBA.

If President Barack Obama can fix the economy, talk of another NBA work stoppage might subside. For now, it's quite prevalent among survivors from the 1998-99 lockout.

"In two years, it'll be no because they'll be another," Houston guard Brent Barry said when asked if what emerged from the lockout helped the NBA.

There are 55 players on NBA rosters having remained active since the lockout. It was 10 years ago this month commissioner David Stern and union director Billy Hunter met all night in New York and came up with half a season.

The Rocky talked to four holdover players from that 50-game campaign. All four - Barry, Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, Sacramento guard Bobby Jackson and Kings center Brad Miller - believe another lockout is very possible in 2 1/2 years, and players must do what they can to avoid it.

The NBA has to decide by Dec. 15, 2010, whether to extend the collective-bargaining agreement through the 2011-12 season. If not extended, it expires June 30, 2011.

With the economy in shambles, teams are watching profits fall off faster than Allen Iverson's game. When they have a chance, NBA owners are expected to want to continue to reel in bloating salaries and try to steer the NBA closer toward a hard salary cap.

"If the economy doesn't turn in two years, there's definitely going to be a lockout because everybody is taking a hit in this recession," Jackson said. "The owners are definitely going to want to make some cutbacks, and the players aren't going to want to make the cutbacks.

"But I think we have to put our differences aside and say what's best, and that's playing this game and giving fans what they want and not being selfish."

As the date gets closer to when players might have to think hard about whether to buy a seventh car, Jackson plans to share with work-stoppage neophytes what the league went through 10 years ago. He said all players must become "re-educated" about 1998-99.

"We're trying to stick together as players right now preparing for (a possible lockout) early instead of just kind of coming up on it and not worrying about it like the guys did the last time," Miller said.

"(Another lockout is) always a possibility the way the economy is going. A lot of team's ownerships aren't making money like they used to. Endorsement deals, those companies are struggling, so they're not putting as much back in."

The economy actually was thriving in 1998-99, but that couldn't prevent an NBA work stoppage that resulted in three months of the season being wiped out and Stern growing a lockout beard that made him look like Burl Ives.

The owners, scared by Kevin Garnett's 1997 signing of a six-year, $126 million contract extension, achieved goals of instituting maximum salaries and first-round picks having to wait longer for big money. Concessions to players included minimum salaries being bumped up and increased exceptions for teams over the salary cap.

But both sides paid a heavy price as it became a threat that, egads, NASCAR might overtake the NBA in popularity. It might not have been until the star-studded 2003 rookie class of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony arrived that NBA fan interest fully returned.

The NBA 10 years ago crammed 50 games into three months. With players out of shape, the game truly suffered.

"People complain about back-to-backs," said Billups, then in his first Nuggets stint. "We had three games in a row that season (twice). That was torture."

Billups is under contract for 2011-12. He'd sure love to have a season then.

"Without a doubt, (another lockout is) possible," Billups said. "I know a lot of NBA teams are losing some money. . . . Hopefully, (all parties) can get to the table and just clear it up quick before it gets ugly."

Billups talked basketball with Obama last year. Now, as the nation's ultimate hoops head, Obama has a chance to provide the NBA with an assist during his term.

The easy East

The East is an easy conference to peg when it comes to All-Star selections. Few players will have much of an argument about being snubbed when reserves, voted upon by coaches, are announced next Thursday for the Feb. 15 game.

The starters by fan vote are center Dwight Howard, forwards James and Garnett and guards Wade and Iverson.

Here are the most worthy reserves: center (for voting purposes) Chris Bosh; forwards Danny Granger, Paul Pierce and Rashard Lewis; and guards Ray Allen, Devin Harris and Joe Johnson.

With coaches having to select at least one center, don't be surprised if Bosh, a forward, is slid over on most ballots.

The only complaints would figure to come from Cleveland, with the Cavaliers wanting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to be named.

The wacky West

Meanwhile, it's lot crazier in the West.

The starters are center Yao Ming, forwards Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire and guards Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul.

Before the arguments start, here are the most-worthy reserves: center Shaquille O'Neal; forwards Anthony, Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki; and guards Billups, Tony Parker and Brandon Roy.

But Anthony, who never has been chosen an All-Star by coaches (he was an injury replacement in 2007 and started last season) is no lock. Having already missed 12 total games and likely to miss three more with his broken hand, he could be displaced by David West or longer-shot Al Jefferson.

At least one possible headache was avoided when Paul overtook unworthy Tracy McGrady in fan voting. That extra West spot has a trickle-down effect that should help Phoenix's O'Neal get picked, with coaches no longer needing to slide Gasol to center.

After all, who would tell Shaq he's not an All-Star with the game in his home city?

• January 23, 2009

  9:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  Another possible lockout? A classic example of if you don't learn from history you are doomed to repeat it. I remember the lockout 10 years ago vividly. When they returned the arenas were half empty and the fans resentment towards the players was not only huge but it was justified. With the average guy on the street struggling for the most part to make ends meet and these guys recieving a king's ransom for playing a child's game, and still not satisfied. The whole thing in a nutshell was the dumb arse owners throwing uncalled for astronomical $$$ at them in trying to outbid each other which was totally ridiculous. Who the hell can blame the player for not taking it and blame the yet unproven ones who come after them for wanting as much and substancially more? The owners have blown more $$$ on eventual "Flops" who are too numerous to mention and are still paying to this day a great many of them through deferred payments. The sad thing is, just like 10 years ago, all involved know full well we idiot fans will once again support them and line their deep pockets! As for me my attending games was cut drastically after that insult of a slap in the face! If it ain't on TV....forget about me!

• January 23, 2009

  2:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  frosty writes:

  Have to agree Jersey, I haven't watched hoops since the last strike, don't watch baseball unless it's little league or college, these guys have no clue, it's that simple. I hope they do strike again, maybe more people like you and me will stop supporting these whining millionaire babies.

• January 23, 2009

  3:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  frosty: whiners for sure and let me add, and I don't mean to imply all which is too inclusive, ingrates and malcontents as well. Having said that I still have to go back to the idiot owners. To be supposely educated people I can't help but wonder. Just goes to prove once again that no matter your pedigree exhibiting common sense is not a given!

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