SAME OLD, SAME OLD, SAME OLD

AND...once again seems we are being given
the bums' rush. Now a mediator has been
allowed in to fence with the meetings
of all parties concerned. This is the
very same mediator that was assigned
to aid the NFL when they were negotiating.
Commissioner David Stern stated
that in "his gut" he is afraid nothing
much will come of the talks planned
for next Monday. He said that it may even
turn out that we will not be viewing any
Laker games, even at Christmas time.
Now on Tuesday talks resume.
Owners and players are scheduled to meet
with the federal mediator and then have
board meetings on Wednesday. Stern continues
to say that he thinks even further cancellations
are coming. The labor relations committee
and Billy Hunter having brought in his
executive committee, think it is time to make
this deal. If we do not make it then,
Stern feels there is just no way that
any playing could possibly be happening
until after Christmas. Christmas is
traditionally the first big day of the NBA
season. This year's three-game schedule
features the Lakers hosting the Chicago
Bulls at Staples Center and the NBA Finals
rematch between the Dallas Mavericks and
Miami Heat. Yes, the sides will certainly
have to act quickly to save it. The talks
have stalled over the structure of the
salary cap system and the division of the
revenues between owners and players.
The mediator chosen, is George Cohen.
When asked if Cohen had the ability to
move the sides toward a deal, Stern said:
"I am hoping he does because I think that
if we do not make some deal that can be
accepted, I really do despair".
Having lost already the two weeks for sure
on our own, it will take agreements on both
sides to not let the entire season slip away.
Both sides will have to also decide on how
to divide up about $4 billion in annual revenue.
Why does there seem to be the word greed
entering into this I wonder? Such large numbers
in monies and yet there is a real stalemate,
just boggles the mind for most of us.
It would seem to me that this is the crucial time
to make a lasting deal.
Think so too?
Babs Wells