Atlanta Hawks: And so it begins . . .
Well, what seemed inevitable is now official. The NBA season is going to be less than 82 games for its teams this season because owners continue to lock out players without a new CBA.
The league announced tonight that all games through Nov. 14 are canceled–that means wiped away, not postponed as earlier reports speculated might happen before today’s seven-hour negotiation session. For the Hawks, the decision tosses aside games at Minnesota, vs. Boston, at Chicago, vs. New York, vs. Utah and at Orlando.
The new tentative season-opener is now Nov. 16 vs. Indiana at Philips. Season-ticket owners will get refunds with interest for the canceled games, including exhibitions. Alex Meruelo still is awaiting league approval of his purchase of the team from ASG, though he’s already made several trips to Atlanta and is up to speed on team matters.
Why did the league cancel two weeks instead of one? Think it has anything to do with players getting paid every other week during the season and owners wanting to make sure they missed a check? Now we’ll see if the players can maintain solidarity even as they lose money.
As for the issues in contention, including BRI and salary-cap structure, David Aldridge provided a thorough breakdown. David Stern told reporters in New York tonight that “system issues” like contract lengths and annual raises are bigger problems than the BRI split (and Aldridge reports the latter issues is now back to square one).
Looking at it from the outside, it seems to me the NBA is trying to do what every other business in America is doing nowadays: minimize its risks, subsidize its losses and privatize its profits. The players seem to accept that this CBA will not be as good as the last one but they are trying to preserve as much of that system as possible.
Sadly and frustratingly, it sounds like we could be in for a long wait for NBA basketball.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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151 comments Add your comment
?
October 11th, 2011
1:36 pm
Those poor players will make it by from a small percentage of savings from previous insane pay……
Unless the idiots P’ed it away on bling.
?
October 11th, 2011
1:39 pm
Of course all their illegitiamte kids will have to go without for a while. But, reading the news, players aren’t too quick on their child support.
Astro Joe
October 11th, 2011
2:55 pm
Anyone know when the Euro Leagues start? I want to know when I can start reading boxscores about Pape Sy & Magnum Rolle. GO EURO-HAWKS!!!
Leo
October 11th, 2011
3:22 pm
I mostly feel sorry for the regular employees also. This is sad. I think both sides are very greedy.
I feel the stars make too much and the role players not enough. But I am just a fan so what do I know.
kirkinga
October 11th, 2011
3:22 pm
Hate the first games have been cancelled, but it’s looks like, with the exception of Minnesota, a favor for the Hawks.
Section 303
October 11th, 2011
3:30 pm
Did you guys see this video? I don’t know how to link on here, but I will past the web address. Two camera men started fighting outside the hotel where NBA/NBPA were meeting last night. Might be the worst fight I have ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9vzoOn2dig&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Mike is Back
October 11th, 2011
3:49 pm
What’s up MC, no surprise here…Hey, I’m really enjoying the hardwood classic on the NBA channel…it’s been a treat to see some of the NBA players I idolized talk about how it was going up against some of the legends in the game. Man you forget about the no names guys that gave so much to this game…it was all about team back then.
I’m not siding with the owners, because I think David Stern and owners created this mess…But too many NBA players take game for granted…maybe missing some games, or an entire season…isn’t such a bad thing.
O'Brien
October 11th, 2011
4:22 pm
STRETCH,
If thats the case, then maybe said player should cut back on his and maybe is wife’s spending dont you think?.
That’s what you and I would do. But time and time again, we have seen athletes end up going broke, because they are irresponsible with their money.
As more game checks are missed, will the players continue to stick together?
beone
October 11th, 2011
4:52 pm
Players have had it too good for too long. They just can’t believe that. The whole Lebron debacle pissed so many people off, there is no sympathy for the players in most quarters. I hope the whole season is lost personally.
FreshFromAtl
October 11th, 2011
4:53 pm
Eliminating those first few games may actually work in the Hawks favor.
Paddy
October 11th, 2011
4:57 pm
dap01…..you are right. NBA lost its real fan base years ago. This strike/lockout is not helping at all. Scattered pockets of fans but not enough to stop the league wide bleeding. It is a shame. It used to be a real sport!
ILL-Logical
October 11th, 2011
5:38 pm
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/10/11/exclusive-details-of-owners-tax-proposal/?sct=hp_t2_a5&eref=sihp
Najeh Davenpoop
October 11th, 2011
6:19 pm
“Eliminating those first few games may actually work in the Hawks favor.”
True. There’s a good chance they would have gone 2-4 in the cancelled games.
Crazy Pizza Lady
October 11th, 2011
7:03 pm
Wise up playas. don’t kill the golden goose. you know yo momma doesn’t approve!
stop the greed!
Earl
October 11th, 2011
8:06 pm
@j……There are 5 times as many football players on a team compared to a basketball team. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that there would be more. Hmmmmm
KevinM
October 11th, 2011
10:23 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
October 11th, 2011
6:19 pm
“Eliminating those first few games may actually work in the Hawks favor.”
True. There’s a good chance they would have gone 2-4 in the cancelled games.
As much as I agree, they definitely would not have been better then 3-3, which is what we will get from LD when these guys return playing.
I am indifferent to whether I want to see this thing resolved any time soon. I gotta think that a market like Atl probably will not miss the NBA this much. The owners have really mucked up the process this time.
The difference is 53 players vs. 50 percent in what the owners are suggesting? They why in the HAIL can’t we just split the difference and get this thing resolved?
Some things I guess we aren’t supposed to understand…….and Marvin gets that much longer to work on his game this summer. We all know he needs it!
J
October 12th, 2011
8:40 am
@ Earl – and when was the last time an NBA player committed a murder hmmmm
J
October 12th, 2011
8:43 am
@ Earl – and doesn’t SportsCenter only really care about glorifying the Red Sox and Yankees? Kind of biased. I care about the NBA and i love basketball. I sit hear and listen to people like yourself and other idiots bash the NBA but take a blindeye to what goes on with other pro-teams. Yeah, i get it, you don’t like the NBA so get off this blog. It doesn’t apply to people who don’t even attend the games. Thanks!
ctrim
October 12th, 2011
9:21 am
If the NFL can do non guaranteed contracts then so can the NBA. I have no problem with what the players make as long as they can be held accountable.
J
October 12th, 2011
10:24 am
agreed ctrim
STRETCH
October 12th, 2011
12:11 pm
Mr O’Brien,
Thats what i was thinking. Its sad that these young athletes get all this money and blow it on stupid things and then they are featured in ESPN magazine broke.
Just the other day there was a defensive back that played with the Ravens(forget his name) who signed a 55 mil contract 6 years ago and now he is broke living with his parents.
He has petitioned the court to reduce his 11K/monthly child support payments. 11K??? How does that happen? It just goes to show that everybody is money hungry no matter what they are doing.
These guys get out there and spend, spend, spend and then, boom! When you are spending that kinda money a month on a child, you cant be spending like that. And besides…WHAT CHILD NEEDS 11K A MONTH??
POOLCUE
October 12th, 2011
1:18 pm
YO ANY OF YOU UNEMPLOYED B.B. PLAYERS KNOW HOW TO PLAY BASEBALL? CONTACT BRAVES OR PHILLIES.
J
October 12th, 2011
1:41 pm
stretch, i agree … i think the child support system is messed up in general but it’s also the players fault for not going back to court and getting that child support restructered since he’s making less. BUT, what child needs 11K a month to survive? A child needs clothing & food, plus health insurance and then any extra curricular costs. Last i checked, $400-$600/month covered that. These athletes are not smart with money, most of them didn’t have a sound upbringing on money matters, and then come into a lot of cash and all their friends/family have their hands out and then they spend it on cars/houses/etc. I can’t blame them though. Put yourself in their shoes, they are teenagers, or fresh out of high school making millions. They only know what they see, and they see other NBA players spending mad cash. I bet if we were making that type of money and only knew what they knew, we would probably blow some of it on thigns we don’t really need. Then again, we don’t have that luxury. I at least had a great upbringing and was taught the value of a dollar at an early age. Guess maybe my parents should have taught me the value of a Canadian dollar, with the way the US dollar is going these days.
Geemack
October 12th, 2011
2:41 pm
No matter when the season starts, as a Hawks we know it will end in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs.
Nothing on this team to be excited about.
Those basketball emotion are reserved for Lakers & Celtics fans.
KevinM
October 12th, 2011
2:47 pm
I agree with Geemack; why worry about this upcoming season when you know what the Hawks will work with….there aren’t going to be any big moves. They are cap-strapped AND talent-strapped!
Our 3 captains will only take you so far.
I think college basketball will fill any void quite nicely.
Section 303
October 12th, 2011
2:53 pm
KevinM, I don’t think you guys are right. The Hawks probably will/would make a move. I still think Josh Smith will be traded. It will have to wait for next September/October (no season this year), but I’m still willing to bet the Hawks make that move.
C'mon Man
October 12th, 2011
3:52 pm
NBA basketball, is just entertainment. They are other venues you can stuff your money into for pure enjoyment. Both sides are losers, but fans who give their last dimes to support these financial geniuses are the real losers.
Let’s get together and play Spades, throw down some Bones, or just have a NBA Lockout Block Party.
C’mon Man!
Astro Joe
October 12th, 2011
4:29 pm
Hard to believe that the new owner will spend more than a season before making a slew of changes (starting with the GM and Head Coach). The sooner this season starts, the quicker Meruelo can place his mark on the team. (Of course, that assumes the new owner is an improvement over the old owners… which should NOT be assumed).
Geemack
October 12th, 2011
5:03 pm
C’mon Man
I down with the spades….Lol.
It’s a lot more to life than basketball. This is a perfect opportunity to put the crack pipe down (NBA). You may realize it’s not as necessary as they make it seems
Grandad
October 12th, 2011
6:16 pm
Mr cunningham,
Since you most probably have quit reading by now …
I’ll not expect an answer.
-But-
Will the blog be regular now or just a sometimes occurrence ?
I am truly pleased that you remain employed.
Basketball news continues to happen, whether the AJC chooses to
keep the good people of Atl informed or not..
MC – you said college fb was a part of what was keeping you busy?
Yet I follow college fb daily & have somehow missed your byline ?
JSS
October 12th, 2011
7:31 pm
It won’t be a real Hawks blog till Big Ray, Niremetal, the crazy hater from Iberian peninsula, and Rod from College Park (AKA Marvin is a bum) checks in!!!
@ Michael Cunningham…
I’m interested in a non-NBA observation. So after getting to cover the Dream in their run to the Finals, what do you think of them, and what went wrong in the Finals?
jhan
October 12th, 2011
8:37 pm
What about Jayson Williams & Javaris Crittendon? Think they both committed murder.
JSS
October 12th, 2011
9:15 pm
@ 8:37PM
Reason why some people need the legal mind of Niremetal around…
jhan… Go look up involuntary manslaughter, then look-up conspiracy to conceal evidence…
Regarding Crittenden, touchy subject but “he’s accused of committing a murder.” If you want to get off on such things in bashing the NBA (Williams was retired by the way), look-up Ty Cobb, Rae Carruth, O.J. Simpson, and Jared Britton… Just saying…
MOVE TO SEATTLE PLEASE !!!!!!
October 13th, 2011
12:01 am
Who cares about THUG basketball, Would NEVER attend a game, But the Question IS…
When will this “new” owner MOVE this WORTHLESS franchise to Seattle ????
Atlanta does not need this CRAP sport in this town.
Go Away nba FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JL
October 13th, 2011
2:17 am
Back in the 97′ draft many of us where dissapointed that we picked Al Horford instead of Mike Conley. 4 years later, 2 Rookie-softmore trips, 2-ASG elections, a 3rd All NBA team mention, and being elected the 25th best NBA player (according to ESPN) gladly made us eat our words. Shout out to a guy that came to the league with a limited ceiling, but has overcome his limitations to improve every year.
JL
October 13th, 2011
2:17 am
Sorry, 07′ draft
O'Brien
October 13th, 2011
7:23 am
KevinM,
Our 3 captains will only take you so far..
It will be interesting to see if LD goes with 3 captains again, because that did not work last year. I say let the players vote for one captain, or LD can nominate somebody. Of the 3, I think Al is the best choice.
O'Brien
October 13th, 2011
7:25 am
303,
I don’t think there will be any changes to the Hawks. I think the new owner will let Rick and LD finish out their year, and then he will decide next year whether or not he wants to bring them back.
And with Josh expiring in 2 years, I think they will keep him this year as well. However, a lot will depend on the new CBA.
Grandad
October 13th, 2011
7:44 am
If and when we / they get back to businesss …
we will have a very short off-season to do actual basketball work;
such as “Free Agency” & “team building”.
Sund, who is deliberate at best, may have his plan formulated by season’s end.
The Hawks can only hope for the same old, same old … because Sund …
will not be ready to move nor act quickly. “Alas, no Battier” ! … No Big !
Perhaps the lockout will last long enough for Sund to just go on and retire.
No trades – no FA’s – we can only hope they vote Alex in before the lockout ends.
Geemack
October 13th, 2011
8:55 am
Ronnie Lester assistant GM with the Lakers is available.
He was with them for over 20 years. He learned from Jerry West and Mitch Kupchak.
Brian Shaw won 5 rings with the Lakers (3 as a player 2 as a assistant coach).
Rick Sund’s has done a good in keeping the team competitive, but his best days as a GM are behind him. He has an excellent basketball mind, so keep him around as a a consultant.
Larry Drew did the same thing as Mike Woodson, and the team achieved the same results.
Geemack
October 13th, 2011
9:06 am
JL
The disappointment was in the mismanagement of the draft picks. Nothing against Horford, but if we drafted the need for a PG the year before (CP3), the Hawks are competing for a ring without Horford. Josh, CP3, & JJ can run with the elite teams in the east and west.
Even with all Horford’s accomplished, were still no better than a 4th seed and a 2nd round playoff exit.
Astro Joe
October 13th, 2011
9:53 am
MC, thanks for the article on the Hawks and their pick-up games. I’m sure those are fun to watch. Pictures could be deceiving, but Joe’s arms looked a little more defined than I remeber. I’m glad that Josh was stretching because at first I thought he was reacting to an injury.
The two idiot sides are bringing in a mediator to help with negotiations, that seems like a very good sign (even if talsk won’t start until next week).
KevinM
October 13th, 2011
10:17 am
It’s time for the owners and the players to get this deal done after so much negative press. Come to a split between 53 and 50 and get it done!
Quit wasting the opportunity to build up some momentum for the upcoming season and let’s restart the LBJ/DWade watch to the trophy.
OB and 303, I can say yes, trade Josh if you are going to play him at the 3. If you put him back where he belongs, then I say you are making a huge mistake.
And I don’t see anyone losing their captain status. LD screwed up doing this in the first place. He should have captain’d Marvin because he’s the one who needs to be held to the highest standard. No one else on this team came into the league with the hype Marvin did.
And where is our #2 full-of-potential pick these days? I don’t hear his name being mentioned in these ‘church’ games? Is he back playing against no-NBAers to keep up his confidence?
And no matter what happens, we are still only 3rd best in our own division. The expectations will be the same as they have been the past years.
KevinM
October 13th, 2011
10:29 am
I should have said if you don’t put Josh back in the post, you are making a huge mistake. He has proved his talent isn’t on the perimeter.
drmaryb.(*_*).
October 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
Sure Shot!
Josh will NEVER stop draining those pretty 3’s as long as Coach Drew is here. NEVER! LOL!
drmaryb.(*_*).
October 13th, 2011
12:47 pm
Sure Shot!
… And as long as The Boss is passing it to him outa’ the post with 5 seconds left on the shot clock! Hmmm …
Par for the course?
doc
October 13th, 2011
1:02 pm
mc second the astro take above, thanks and i think there is nothing more than what you would rather do than to cover the nba rather than college football but thanks for those pieces on the bees man.
the powers that be give you direction and you must follow it even if you cant say it here to stay employed. some people act like you have personally made the decision and took free candy from their mouths. hope their sanity and all players and owners finally surfaces again.
O'Brien
October 13th, 2011
2:34 pm
KevinM,
Come to a split between 53 and 50 and get it done!.
The players are going to say they already reduced their percentage from 57 to 53, so why should they go down to 51 ½.
He should have captain’d Marvin because he’s the one who needs to be held to the highest standard..
1) What happens when Marvin doesn’t start?
2) Being held to a high standard with a lot of expectations does not make one a good leader.
Say what you want about Marvin, but he is that much closer to completing his college degree
J
October 13th, 2011
2:36 pm
@Move to seattle please … that’s also great advice for yourself
J
October 13th, 2011
2:45 pm
@jhan – jayson williams was how long ago? you got me on jcritt, even though he hasn’t been proved guilty (technically, do we even consider him an nba player due to his suspension from the league?). Then again, JCritt was from GaTech and we know how many muggings there are at GaTech these days. I’m sure he needed the gun
.