azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Scott Bordow, Tribune
D
ENVER - The NBA is taking steps not to follow in the NHL’s footsteps.
Commissioner David Stern and Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Association, said Saturday they are optimistic a new labor agreement can be reached by the end of the 2004-05 season.
"Although there are differences that separate us and they are important, they don’t rise to the magnitude of the issues that separated us six years ago," Stern said.
The NBA suffered through a seven-month labor stoppage in 1998-99.
Hunter said the two sides are committed to meeting for five straight days next week in New York and three times a week until a deal is reached.
Neither Hunter nor Stern would comment on key labor issues such as the length of maximum contracts or the salary cap, but they agreed a lockout would be a "catastrophe" for the league.
"I would be busy trying to explain why it’s not a catastrophe, but my heart would not be in it," Stern said.
Stern said the NBA is mindful of the public relations damage the NHL has suffered.
"It’s the opening prayer at each of our meetings," he said.
Stern also touched on other league issues in a 45-minute press conference:
• While saying he doesn’t believe steroids are a problem in the NBA, he hinted a stronger steroid policy will be in the new collective bargaining agreement.
"I’m not concerned there are problems, but watching what’s swirling around, it would be prudent to even eliminate that as a question," he said.
• He dismissed the chances of suspended Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest playing again this season, saying, "I don’t anticipate an application for reinstatement."
• He said players have a responsibility to behave in a way that promotes the NBA.
"I think there’s a player job description in professional sports, and it doesn’t stop on the court," he said.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=36738
D
ENVER - The NBA is taking steps not to follow in the NHL’s footsteps.
Commissioner David Stern and Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA Players Association, said Saturday they are optimistic a new labor agreement can be reached by the end of the 2004-05 season.
"Although there are differences that separate us and they are important, they don’t rise to the magnitude of the issues that separated us six years ago," Stern said.
The NBA suffered through a seven-month labor stoppage in 1998-99.
Hunter said the two sides are committed to meeting for five straight days next week in New York and three times a week until a deal is reached.
Neither Hunter nor Stern would comment on key labor issues such as the length of maximum contracts or the salary cap, but they agreed a lockout would be a "catastrophe" for the league.
"I would be busy trying to explain why it’s not a catastrophe, but my heart would not be in it," Stern said.
Stern said the NBA is mindful of the public relations damage the NHL has suffered.
"It’s the opening prayer at each of our meetings," he said.
Stern also touched on other league issues in a 45-minute press conference:
• While saying he doesn’t believe steroids are a problem in the NBA, he hinted a stronger steroid policy will be in the new collective bargaining agreement.
"I’m not concerned there are problems, but watching what’s swirling around, it would be prudent to even eliminate that as a question," he said.
• He dismissed the chances of suspended Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest playing again this season, saying, "I don’t anticipate an application for reinstatement."
• He said players have a responsibility to behave in a way that promotes the NBA.
"I think there’s a player job description in professional sports, and it doesn’t stop on the court," he said.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=36738
