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| Trade Association Executive Director Billy Hunter, left, and NBA Commissioner David Stern, right |
Early Saturday morning, after a 149-day lockout, as well as a 15 hour negotiation that began noon Friday; the players and the owners look to have reached a tentative 'handshake' agreement to end this whole saga.
Trade Association executive director Billy Hunter explained, "We thought it was in both of our best interests to try to reach a resolution and save the game." Commissioner David Stern then went on to explain, "We've reached a tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations, but we're optimistic that will all come to a pass and that the NBA season will begin Dec. 25."
This would set out the groundwork for a 66-game season, where training camps would open up around Dec. 9. For there to be a season, it was essential for it to begin by Christmas day; as this season's triple header features an NBA Finals rematch between Dallas and Miami, as well as a mouth-watering Chicago and my boy Rose at Los Angeles, against Kobe and the Lakers.
Though this comes as unexpected but encouraging news, a majority on each side of the parties is needed to approve this tentative agreement. President of the Players Association, Derrick Fisher simply put, "We're confident that once we present it, that they will support it. For us, we'll stick with the understanding that we can't get into too many details," in regards to the majority needed by the players side.
Hopefully I can finally sleep at night, knowing that I will once again be straight up smitten', when Lebron fails yet again. But on the real, how bad are the Raps going to be this year now? Colangelo better have something up his sleeve.
