WELL FOLKS - THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Come to the table...and then find no winners.
It is sad but true. All the past negotiations
and meetings so far have proved futile.
Seven more hours of talk and players and
owners failed to reach a new labor deal.
Monday they met again and were offered
a 50/50 contract but the owners would not
agree to that either. There had been some
optimism on Saturday when union vice president
Maurice Evans said things were going along
pretty good as he left to go catch a flight.
No vendors, car attendants, gate security
people, and others earning monies from
basketball related items are also awaiting
the players and owners decisions and agreements.
The NBA shelved the rest of its exhibition
schedule Tuesday and will wipe out the first
two weeks of the regular season if there seems
to be no getting the sides to come to a labor
agreement.Unable to make the progress required
on both sides, David Stern, Commissioner, and Deputy
Commissioner Adam Silver refused the terms
that have been formally proposed to them.
The NBA talks had gained some power when LeBron
James showed up to take part in the discussions
and some tell us he became quite agitated so
disappeared in the final moments.
The owners claim that they have lost a combined
$300 million last season, which is why they need
to restructure the salary cap system and take a
greater share of the BRI (basket ball related income)
in the next CBA. The players have disputed the
owners' losses from the beginning. The Lakers president
of the NBA, player Derek Fisher, along with teammate
Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
of the rival Boston Celtics, were in attendance
also speaking of the BRI.
Laker Pau Gasol, along with his brother Marc of
the Memphis Grizzlies, would begin workouts soon
then with FC Barcelona, their former Spanish club
team. Kobe Bryant, is probably going
to sign a 10 game contract with Virtus Bologna
arranging a deal to play in Italy. He has been
offered $3 million to play with them and they are
right now trying to work out all of the details.
It all hinges on other clubs changing their schedules
to ensure Bologna has five home games during the
span. Also, they are considering opening five road
games in Italy's biggest arenas. Smaller clubs
Cremona and Varese, are reluctant to alter their
schedules. They all do agree however that having
Kobe come and play in Italy would be of key importance
for the greater awareness of Italian basketball.
On a far softer note, this writer has become a
great grandma twice over this year, 4 months apart!
Saige Ella was born in April and Jordynn Marie was
born in August. How fortunate can any gal get anyway?
Both girls are both so completely different in their
appearance. Saige, darker hair and huge brown eyes,
Jordynn, fair with blue eyes and reddish auburn
hair. My pride runneth over! My happiness brims with
smiles and heartfelt joy over these two small imps.
Just felt maybe you might also like to share in my
private life a teensy bit so forgive me for gloating
but thank you for your indulgence!
Lakers, we are sorry to realize we will be missing out
on some fun games but hopeful to not lose the entire season.
Stay close to the sports news to find the outcome.
Babs Wells