NBA Lockout 2011: Players Reportedly Settle Antitrust Lawsuit

NBA players and owners have reached a tentative agreement to end the league's lockout, but a few more obstacles must be crossed before the lockout officially ends.

The latest step came Tuesday night, reports Zach Lowe, when the players came to an agreement to settle their antitrust lawsuits against the NBA. The players still must reform the union, which was dissolved when the players association filed a disclaimer of interest, in order to hold a vote that would ratify the new collective bargaining agreement. Players have already received cards to reform the union.

A vote is expected to take place sometime next week, after which training camps and free agency would theoretically open on Dec. 9. The antitrust lawsuit settlement is not very exciting, but it's a step that needed to be taken before the process of ending the NBA lockout can be completed.

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NBA Lockout 2011: Celtics To Face Knicks On Christmas Day?

The Boston Celtics were originally scheduled to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day, and with the NBA Lockout tentatively being lifted on Saturday, it appears that will be the C's season opener.

However, there is no definitive word as to whether or not the NBA will keep the current schedule intact, with commissioner David Stern telling reporters that the season will open on Dec. 25 with a triple-header, but not indicating which teams will play. But with the Celtics being one of the league's marquee franchises, it seems likely they would be one of the six teams.

Boston faced New York eight times last season, with four regular season meetings and four games in the opening round of the playoffs. The Celtics won all eight games, including a sweep of the Knicks in the postseason. 

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout Ends: What We Learned From NBA's 149-Day Work Stoppage

The NBA Lockout is just about over, with owners and players reaching a tentative agreement early on Saturday morning. But what did we learn from the 149-day work stoppage? For starters, greed conquered everything for both parties.

NBA Lockout Over: Owners, Players Reach Tentative CBA Agreement

At long last, the NBA Lockout may be over. David Stern and Billy Hunter announced that the owners and players of the National Basketball Association have reached a tentative agreement on a Collective Bargaining Agreement, pending official approval of the players and litigators.

The announcement was made at 3:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday morning after more than 15 hours of negotiations between the players and owners. Under the new agreement, the NBA schedule would begin on Christmas Day with a triple header.

Stern had said there would not be a full season under any circumstances, and also said that this season - which has already been eaten into by the lockout - will have 66 games played per team. Players have reportedly agreed to accept a 49-51 split of basketball related income, but specifics of the deal have not been released. 

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Derek Fisher Rejoins Labor Talks, Deal Possible

The President of the Player's Association – Lakers guard Derek Fisher – will be in New York Friday to rejoin talks of possible deal to end the NBA Lockout. Games have already been canceled into December and anti-trust lawsuits have been filed, but a shortened season is still in the realm of possibility. If a deal is reached this weekend a 66-game season would being on Christmas Day. Marc Stein of ESPN has the scoop:

NBA commissioner David Stern has said on numerous occasions that the league needs a month after the sides shake hands to put a new labor deal in writing and allow for a compressed training camp and free-agency period before the regular season begins.

Some players still question whether resumed negotiations are really a last-ditch effort to save the season, or a ploy by NBA Commissioner David Stern, to gain leverage in the anti-trust lawsuit.  

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Negotiations Reportedly Resume

Representatives for NBA owners and players have resumed talks to save the NBA's slate of Christmas games, Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday.

The negotiations reportedly began on Tuesday and continued Wednesday. One league source told Wojnarowski more would be known about the negotiations later on Wednesday.

Wojnarowski noted on Twitter that Derek Fisher, president of the players association that dissolved after filing a disclaimer of interest, is not participating in the discussions. Gabriel Feldman, a sports law professor at the University of Tulane, told the Orlando Sentinel that it could be ruled an unfair labor practice if Fisher continues to be involved in negotiations on behalf of the players after the dissolving of the union. Because he is technically part of the NBA players' legal representation, Billy Hunter can still remain involved in the discussions.

The NBA lockout continues in its fifth month. The players, led by lawyer David Boies, have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA.

-- For more on the lockout, visit our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: With No Basketball In Sight, Time For Fans To Hit The Books

NBA Lockout Update: Players File Two Class-Action Antitrust Lawsuits Against The NBA

If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em.

Locked-out NBA players, who claim the league is violating antitrust laws by not allowing them to work, filed class-action antitrust lawsuits to combat the stoppage on Tuesday in California and Minnesota.

Named as plaintiffs in the "Golden State" suit are Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Kevin Durant, Leon Powe, Kawhi Leonard while the "North Star State" is repped by Caron Butler, Ben Gordon, Anthony Tolliver and Derrick Williams.

From players' attorney David Boies (via ESPN):

"If you're in a poker game, and you run a bluff, and the bluff works, you're a hero. If someone calls your bluff, you lose. I think the owners overplayed their hand. They did a terrific job of taking a very hard line and pushing the players to make concession after concession after concession, but greed is not only a terrible thing -- it's a dangerous thing."

The NBA has reportedly canceled all games through Dec. 15, effectively eliminating 324 contests from the 2011-12 season. And as league spokesman Tim Frank explains, the players followed through on their ultimatum:

"We haven't seen Mr. Boies complaint yet but it's a shame that the players have chosen to litigate instead of negotiate. They warned us from the early days of these negotiations that they would sue us if we didn't satisfy them at the bargaining table, and they appear to have followed through on their threats."

Now they're headed to court, which means this one is going to get worse before it gets better.

For more on the 2011 NBA lockout click here.

Boston Charity Classic: Rajon Rondo To Hold Charity Game At Harvard

Rajon Rondo won't be playing for the Boston Celtics at TD Garden anytime soon, but he and a few of his current and former teammates will suit up and play in a charity game called the Boston Charity Classic at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Harvard.

NBA Lockout 2011: Players Following Tweedle Dee And Tweedle Dum Into The Abyss

Billy Hunter and Derek Fisher have continually put their own pride and egos ahead of their cliental, the players of the National Basketball Association, and as a result may have cost them an entire season's worth of games and paychecks.

Follow the latest on the NBA Lockout at SBNation.com.

NBA Lockout 2011: Players Reject Latest Offer, Union To Dissolve

If there was any hope left that NBA basketball would be played this winter, it all went out the window on Monday afternoon. Billy Hunter and the NBA Players Association announced that the union has rejected the latest offer from league commissioner David Stern and the NBA, essentially a 50-50 split of basketball related income, and also stated that it has issued a disclaimer to all teams, effectively dissolving the union. 

With the players association now acting as a trade association, Hunter and company will now proceed to file anti-trust law suits against the NBA.

"We're prepared to file this anti-trust action against the NBA. We think that's the best situation for the players to achieve and get their due process," NBPA head Billy Hunter said, via NBATV (via SB Nation).

Derek Fisher, the president of the NBAPA, was also present and commented on the talks.

"A lot of individual players have a lot of things at stake in their careers and where they stand, so we feel its important to all our players ... that we not only try to get a deal done for today, but also for the body of players who will come into this league for this decade and beyond," Fisher said (via SB Nation).

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout Update: Players Discuss League Proposal Monday

Player representatives from NBA teams, including the Celtics' Jeff Green, are meeting in New York on Monday to discuss the latest proposal from league for a new labor agreement. A lot is riding on this meeting.

If the group supports (or really, accepts) the proposal, it will be sent to the players for a vote. The lockout would end if the players approve the deal and a 72-game season would begin on Dec. 15. If the players reject the deal, the situation could get much worse.

Via ESPN:

If the union leadership rejects the offer, the league is prepared to offer a harsher backup proposal -- one players wouldn't accept, possibly triggering a lengthy legal battle and certainly jeopardizing the 2011-12 season.

Keep up with the latest updates on our comprehensive NBA Lockout News StoryStream and be sure to check back with SB Nation's NBA hub for more important news and terrific opinion.

NBA Lockout Talks on Hold Until Next Week

The players and owners completed yet another marathon labor negotiation – 11.5 hours – on Thursday without a deal. However; it seems as if an ultimatum has been handed out by commissioner,  David Stern. The players will have until early next week to accept the revised deal before the owners reportedly drop their offer to 47 percent of revenue for players and a hard salary cap.

If the players accept the revised offer next week the lockout will end and a shortened 72-game season will begin on December 15. 

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk discusses the "revisions" of the owners current offer:

It calls for a 50/50 split of basketball related income. Technically it is the 49 percent to 51 percent band in place in the last owners offer. But the reality of how that band is structured is that the split is 50/50 with little variation.

Billy Hunter also revealed that there are still a handful of "B issues" that must be resolved. 

NBA Lockout Update: Deadline Has Passed, But Players And Owners Are Still Negotiating

Though NBA commissioner David Stern's 5 p.m. deadline for the players union to accept the terms of his latest collective bargaining proposal has passed, the two sides are still in meetings to hammer out a new deal and end the lockout, according to a report from the Associated Press.

On Monday, Stern had offered the players a deal in which they would receive between 49 and 51 percent of basketball-related income (BRI) and told them if the NBA Players Association did not accept by 5 p.m. Wednesday, the next proposal would leave them with only 47 percent of the BRI. Union officials have said that the deal Stern proposed would not allow them to have any more than 50.2 percent of BRI and on Tuesday, union president Derek Fisher publicly stated that he would not accept the deal.

As a result, meetings were scheduled Wednesday morning for the players and owners to negotiate in small groups. The meetings began at about 1 p.m. and have continued since.

NBA Lockout 2011: Players, Owners Set To Meet Again On Wednesday

With news that the NBA Players Association will reject the latest offer from owners, it seems unlikely that a deal will be reached before the 5 p.m. EDT deadline on Wednesday set by commissioner David Stern. But both sides will at least give it another try, as ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that the players and owners will meet again Wednesday.

Stern announced on Sunday that there was really no wiggle room left in negotiations and that this current offer, which features a 49-51 split of basketball related income in favor of owners, was as good as it would get. As expected, Stern said that if a deal was not reached by Wednesday's deadline, the deal would get worse for the players.

According to a Yahoo! Sports report, Stern has enough ownership support to adjust the system issues that have been one of the key talking points for players to possible get a deal done by the deadline.

On Tuesday, some players in the league began a movement to get their fellow players and their team reps to vote yes on the current deal proposed by the owners, but NBAPA director Billy Hunter and president Derek Fisher were not among those who believe the current deal is good enough. If the two sides can't agree on a new CBA before the deadline, it's likely player would follow in Boston Celtics' guard Paul Pierce's footsteps and file for decertification.

If players decertify, which would disband the Players Association, it's a likely they would file an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA, possibly extending the lockout for months and putting the 2011-12 season in serious jeopardy. 

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout Update: Derek Fisher Says He Will Not Accept Commissioner David Stern's Ultimatum Offer

NBA Players Association president Derek Fisher will not be accepting the latest deal offered to him by commissioner David Stern and the league's owners, Fisher told reporters Tuesday afternoon. The deal in question included a 50/50 split of basketball-related income and came with an ultimatum from Stern that if the players did not accept the deal by Wednesday, the proposals offered them would be come increasingly worse. Fisher met with representatives from 29 of the 30 teams prior to coming to his decision.

Fisher said that though he would be rejecting the proposal offered him, he would consider a 50/50 split if the owners were willing to make accommodations for the players on other issues.

"We're open-minded on potential compromises on the number, but there are things in the system that are not up for negotiation for us to have a season," Fisher said.

Fisher is thought to be referring to the debate over a smaller mid-level exception for luxury tax teams and a ban on sign-and-trade deals for tax team, both of which the union feels would undermine players' negotiating powers.

NBA Lockout 2011: Dysfunction Is Mostly In Players Corner, Not Owners

Union President Billy Hunter and Players Union Representative Derek Fisher are out to save their own skin as the walls begin to close in on them. This has become about self preservation and not about representing the best interests of the Players Union. Both need to step aside and allow a vote on the owners proposal before they lose total control of the situation.

Wake Up: NBA Is Running Out Of Time To Sustain Its Popularity

Want to hear something a little scary? Major League Soccer is now more popular that the National Basketball Association, in terms of attendance. What does this mean for David Stern and the NBA? They need to get their act together. Now.

NBA Lockout 2011: Celtics' Paul Pierce Leads Decertification Threat

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:

As many as 50 disgruntled NBA players - including several All-Stars - participated in a clandestine conference call with a top antitrust attorney on Thursday to discuss the process of decertifying the Players Association, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Angry with the concessions already made to the owners and fearful of worse ones coming with the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement, the players could push for a scenario that throws negotiations into chaos and could eventually lead to the loss of the 2011-12 season. Paul Pierce played a prominent role on both calls, leading the charge on decertification, sources said.

Sounds like decertification is becoming a realistic possibility.

"We're beyond frustrated with the concessions that have already been made," one source on the calls said. "If the union gives in on the [basketball-related income] split and the open system issues don't go to the players side, decertification may be the next step."

Thirty percent of the union members would need to sign a petition to force a vote on decertification. A majority vote could then dissolve the union.

The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Saturday, November 5. With games already cancelled until the end of November, the recent threat of decertification and a substantial two percent difference in BRI negotiations, the 2011-12 season may be in jeopardy. 

-- For more NBA coverage, visit our league page. For the latest on lockout negotiations, visit our lockout stream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Negotiations Reportedly To Continue Saturday

The NBA Players Association and representatives of the owners are scheduled to meet Saturday to continue NBA lockout negotiations, a league source told ESPN.com's Henry Abbott.

The lockout continued into its 126th day on Thursday, and the league has already cancelled a month's worth of games. After negotiations fell apart again Friday, David Stern cancelled all games through the end of November and said rearranging the schedule to complete an 82-game schedule is no longer possible. 

Sources told ESPN's Ric Bucher that Saturday's meeting could be the last chance for progress to be made before Stern cancels another batch of games. The two sides have made real progress on certain issues, including luxury tax, salary cap structure and the mid-level exception, but have been unable to agree on the split of Basketball Related Income (BRI) - the league has offered the players 50% of BRI, but the players want at least 52%.

-- For more NBA coverage, visit our league page. For the latest on lockout negotiations, visit our lockout stream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Derek Fisher Issues Statement On Fox Sports Stories

Derek Fisher is in denial. Whether it's for good reason or not, that remains to be seen. Fisher is vehemently denying that he is working with NBA commissioner David Stern on the side for his own personal gain as the NBA Lockout is in its 124th day, issuing a statement on Tuesday night to refute the stories published by Fox Sports.

"The statements made in recent articles on the Fox Sports website are inexcusable. Among the many baseless accusations, to allege that I am working with the league for my personal gain is unequivocally false. The implication that I am doing anything but working in the best interests of the players is disgusting, defamatory and a flat out lie. I have issued a letter through my attorneys demanding a retraction for the libelous and defamatory stories the site and reporter have continued to publish.

Regardless of the media reports, the Players Association, our staff, Executive Director and Executive Committee are unified and working side by side to serve our players.

There should be no more distractions. We must continue to negotiate a fair deal for our players."

Fisher, the head of the player's union, has been working with his fellow players to try and reach a deal for a new CBA that would save the 2011-12 NBA season. The season was originally supposed to begin on Tuesday, with the Boston Celtics scheduled to begin play on Wednesday night, but the league cancelled games through the end of the month.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Derek Fisher Denies Side Negotiations In E-Mail To Players

NBA Players Association president Derek Fisher e-mailed his fellow players Monday to deny reports that he has been negotiating a secret side deal with NBA commissioner David Stern.

PHOTO: Halloween, Boston Celtics Style

NBA Lockout 2011: League Cancels Games Through End Of November

With a seemingly promising week of talks ending on a negative note Friday, David Stern announced that the NBA has cancelled all league games through November 30.

While up until now the cancellations had not been seriously impactful, with the chance of simply delaying the start of a full schedule of games, Stern commented that it was neither "possible, practical, or prudent" for a full 82-game NBA season to be played after this most recent wave of cancellations.

Though the news comes a few days later than initially anticipated, it was not unexpected. It's possible that the announcement was shelved as the two sides seemed to be drawing closer to an agreement. But with talks breaking down today and each side returning to  he said, she said accusations regarding the circumstances under which they ended (primarily whether Players Association Executive Director Billy Hunter was brusque in his departure), there was no longer a reason to pull the punch.

The divisive issue for owners and players continues to be the distribution of Basketball Related Income, with the players holding fast at a 52-48 split and the owners at 50-50. While that seems like a small difference to go to such measures, it's a matter of nearly $100 million. With such a substantial gulf between the sides, and basketball already cancelled through November, the prospect of seeing NBA games before 2012 is growing more and more unlikely.

NBA Lockout Talks Break Down Over Basketball Related Income Percentage

The NBA lockout looked to have made a turn for the better with players and owners opening up talks. There was optimism that a deal could be reached soon and that the NBA season would begin sooner rather than later. However, late Friday afternoon the sides were unable to reach an agreement and talks broke down.

Howard Beck of the New York Times was the first to report.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN was the first to confirm that it was in regards to the Basketball Related Income (BRI) and that neither side could come to an agreement over an acceptable percentage. 

However, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the BRI was not the sole reason for the sides not reaching an agreement.

SBNation Boston will keep you updated as more news is released regarding the NBA lockout. 

NBA Lockout Update: Union Says Deal 'Within Striking Distance' After Thursday's Meetings

Could the NBA be one step closer to resuming play?

After a 15-hour marathon meeting on Wednesday, both the owners and players resumed talks on Thursday in an effort to bring an end to the 2011 NBA Lockout, one that has already cost the league the first two weeks of its season.

Following another seven and a half hours of intense negotiations, Union Executive Director Billy Hunter said a potential deal may be "within striking distance."

ESPN has more:

"I think we're within striking distance of getting a deal," Hunter said after Thursday's meetings. "It just depends on how receptive the NBA is and whether they want to do a deal."

Union president Derek Fisher said the sides would not have spent all day talking if they weren't making progress.

"We'll come back at it tomorrow," Fisher said Thursday night. "Our position hasn't changed much. Just trying to make sure that players continue to have a market for themselves and their services."

While NBA commissioner David Stern anticipates "some important and additional progress," his outlook was not as optomistic as Hunters, probably due to the fact that neither side had begun discussing the split of basketball-related income, the sticking point that has continued to doom negotiations from the beginning.

Discussions are expected to resume on Friday.

Stay tuned.

NBA Lockout 2011: Some Progress Made During Wednesday's Talks

David Stern and the NBA owners met with the players for more than 12 hours on Wednesday, and while some progress was made, there wasn't enough progress for the two sides to reach a new labor deal immediately.

NBA owners and players were engaged in another marathon session Wednesday, meeting for more than 12 hours in talks aimed at ending the lockout. The two sides got back to the table with a small group meeting less than a week after three intense days of mediation didn't produce a new labor deal. (via ESPN)

Wednesday's meeting was the first since negotiations broke off last Thursday following the owners' proposal of a 50-50 revenue split, which was not satisfactory to the players. Stern was present at the Wednesday meeting after missing the THursday meeting due to the flu. It's not known when the two sides will meet again.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: League, Players To Resume Talks On Wednesday

While the NBA owners and player's association were unable to make any major progress in their last meetings, which broke off indefinitely, the two sides will reportedly resume their labor negotiations on Wednesday according to Newsday.

A person with knowledge of the situation told Newsday that the sides will get together in Manhattan to resume talks that broke down last Thursday after three days of mediation. It is not known if the NBA has dropped its precondition that the union agree to a 50-50 split of league revenue, which was what union executive director Billy Hunter said led to the owners abruptly ending what had been viewed as constructive talks presided over by federal mediator George Cohen. (via Newsday)

Despite other minor setbacks, the split of revenue has been the major breaking point in negotiations. Reports surfaced that the league was going to cancel two more weeks of play and 102 total games through November 28, but with these labor talks scheduled for Wednesday, it's possible (yet unlikely) that those games could be saved if progress is made.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

World All-Star Classic: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo Could Participate

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo are rumored to be participants in the World All-Star Classic, a six-game worldwide tour of NBA all-stars spanning four weeks that is set to begin on Sunday, October 30th in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

NBA Lockout 2011: League To Reportedly Cancel Two More Weeks

With both the owners and player's association at a virtual standstill, it appears likely that David Stern and the league will cancel two more weeks worth of games by the end of the day on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News.

The NBA will be cancelling at least two more weeks of its season, according to a person familiar with the league's plans. The source told the Daily News that the announcement will be made by the league on Tuesday.

The league originally cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season earlier in the month, erasing 100 games between November 1 and November 14. Talks have broken down between the owners and players, and no further negotiations are scheduled, making it all the less likely that any basketball will be played at all this season.

In this round of cancellations, it is expected that the league could wipe out 102 more games through the end of November 28, wiping out almost a month's worth of regular season action.

For the Boston Celtics, this would mean that their games against the Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 2), Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 4), Indiana Pacers (Nov. 5), Charlotte Bobcats (Nov. 9), Los Angeles Clippers (Nov. 11), Cavaliers (Nov. 12), Miami Heat (Nov. 16), Orlando Magic (Nov. 17), Golden State Warriors (Nov. 20), Washington Wizards (Nov. 22), Toronto Raptors (Nov. 23), Milwaukee Bucks (Nov. 25) and Detroit Pistons (Nov. 27) will not be played.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout World Tour: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, More Could Join Global Tour

An NBA Lockout global barnstorming tour would be awesome. But will it happen?

VIDEO: David Stern Brings Chainsaw to NBA Negotiations, Shows Off 42-inch Vertical

NBA Lockout Update: Boston Celtics Schedule Loses The Following Games After Two Week Cancellation

The first two weeks of the 2011-2012 NBA Season have been cancelled after the league failed to reach an agreement with the Player’s Association on Monday night (Oct. 10, 2011).

As a result, the following games on the Boston Celtics schedule have been cancelled:

Nov. 2: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
Nov. 4: Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks
Nov. 5: Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
Nov. 9: Charlotte Bobcats at Boston Celtics
Nov. 11: Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics
Nov. 12: Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers

Unfortunately the work stoppage may continue after the two-week period expires as no new developments have been reported and the two sides are currently far apart on most (if not all) of the major sticking points.

The NBA and the Player’s Association are expected to meet at some point next week, which leaves them little time to save the remainder of the season if by some miracle the wrinkles are ironed out in time to play ball.

NBA Lockout 2011: League Cancels First Two Weeks Of Season

David Stern announced that the league has officially cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season after owners and players met for seven hours on Monday without reaching an agreement. Stern had said prior to the meeting that if the two sides were unable to reach an agreement by Monday evening, games would likely be cancelled.

The NBA announced today that it has canceled the first two weeks of the 2011-12 regular season because a new collective bargaining agreement has not been reached with the National Basketball Players Association. This cancellation includes all games originally scheduled to be played through November 14.

"Despite extensive efforts, we have not been able to reach a new agreement with the players' union that allows all 30 teams to be able to compete for a championship while fairly compensating our players," NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said.

Refunds plus interest are available for all NBA season-ticket holders for all preseason and regular-season games that are canceled. (via NBA.com)

Stern and the league first cancelled 43 preseason games and suspended player training camps indefinitely in September before officially canceling the entire preseason. No date has been schedule for the next labor meeting.

"The gap is so significant that we just can't bridge it at this time," said Stern, who added it's doubtful a full 82-game season can be played. (via ESPN)

The cancellation means that all games through November 14th will not be played. During that time, the Boston Celtics were scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 2, the Atlanta Hawks on No. 4, the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 5, the Charlotte Bobcats on Nov. 9, the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 11 and the Cavs again on Nov. 12.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: NBA Officially Cancels All Preseason Games

In a move that could be a precursor to a major league announcement, the National Basketball Association has officially canceled the entire slate of 2011-2012 preseason games for every team, per the league's Twitter account.

David Stern and the owners met with Billy Hunter and the players association on Tuesday, and while a little progress was made, not nearly enough was done to reach an immediate deal, according to reports.

"We engaged in more intense discussions today to see if we could close what remains to be a very large gap between the N.B.A. and the N.B.P.A.," Derek Fisher, the president of the players union said, "and today was not the day for us to get this done." (via The New York Times)

The NBA originally canceled 43 total preseason games and suspended the start of team training camps indefinitely, the first of which would have taken place this week with preseason games following next week.

While the cancellation of the preseason does not directly affect the state of the NBA's regular season, it does mean that the NBA is expected to lose at least two weeks of the regular season, even if a deal is reached soon.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: League Postpones Training Camp, Cancels Preseason

The NBA announced on Friday that it was indefinitely suspending player training camps and has cancelled all 43 preseason games as a result of the current NBA Lockout and the lack of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

NEWS: The NBA announced today that player training camps for the 2011-12 season have been postponed indefinitely because a new collective bargaining agreement has not been reached with the National Basketball Players Association. Training camps were scheduled to open on October 3. In addition, the league canceled all preseason games scheduled from October 9 through October 15. (via NBA on Facebook)

Friday's announcement means that the 2011-12 NBA Preseason schedule is no longer relevant. As for the Boston Celtics, their first three preseason games were scheduled for Oct. 10 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Oct. 15 against the New York Knicks and Oct. 16 against the Toronto Raptors.

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Matt Bonner: We Just Can't Negotiate With Owners' Ludicrous Proposal

The latest update on the NBA Lockout is, well, discouraging at best. While the NBA's players and owners are still far apart on negotiations for a new CBA, neither side has made any progress towards a new deal over the past month.

Matt Bonner, a forward/center for the San Antonio Spurs and the vice president of the executive board of the NBA Player's Association, stopped by the fifth annual Beckett Bowl at Lucky Strikes bowling alley near Fenway Park in Boston on Monday and took some time to share his thoughts on the talks and the players' point of view.

"I think it's more of a wait and see," said Bonner. "I think we're hopeful, obviously we want to get a deal done. We do want to play basketball - that's what we do. I think we're all pulling our hair out not knowing what's going to happen.

"The bottom line is, we want a fair deal. We want to compromise, we want a fair deal, we want to negotiate. We just can't negotiate with the absolutely ludicrous proposal from the owners. Hopefully, as we get closer to the cut-off date for training camp and preseason,  just be reasonable, that's all we ask, and we can get something done."

Coming off of perhaps the most eventful offseason in league history last year - one that saw the sport's biggest star, LeBron James, host an hour long free agency special called 'The Decision' - the NBA has seen the exact opposite this time around, with neither side budging on their demands, making for a slow summer.

"It was kind of slow in August, David Stern [was] on vacation," said Bonner. "He's back now. Obviously, with training camp fastly approaching, I think things will pick up in the next few weeks."

Even though the progress has been minimal, major progress is usually made when important deadlines are rapidly approaching, which was the case for the NFL during it's longest work stoppage this past spring.

"I think it's the nature of negotiations," Bonner said. "You look at applying pressure to both sides to get a deal done, and it's starting to get there."

For more NBA Lockout coverage, visit SB Nation and follow our StoryStream.

NBA Lockout 2011: Owners, Players To Resume Talks On Monday

The NBA owners and players association will resume negotiations on Monday, according to the Associated Press. The league locked out its players nearly one month ago, and little to no progress has been made towards a new CBA.

Though representatives from the sides have been talking and met on multiple occasions since July 1, this will be the first meeting to include Commissioner David Stern, union executive director Billy Hunter and president Derek Fisher of the Lakers, and owners, the people told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are supposed to be confidential. (via USA Today)

The biggest obstacle in reaching a new deal is finances. Under the old CBA, players received 57 percent of basketball related income. Although the players offered to reduce that figure to 54.3 percent, the owner's proposal had the players receiving nearly 40 percent of income. 

Regular season play doesn't begin until November 1, but many expect the NBA to miss some or even all of its games due to the stalemate between the two sides.

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NBA Lockout: Boston Celtics' Avery Bradley Looking To Play Overseas?

Avery Bradley is considering playing overseas if the NBA Lockout continues, according to his agent. Bradley, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round in the 2010 NBA Draft, played only 162 minutes in his rookie season.

While Bradley is looking at his overseas options, he wants to remain with the Celtics.

Avery Bradley's agent said Monday that he is exploring overseas options for his client but stressed that any deal would be contingent on an out clause that would allow Bradley to return stateside should the NBA lockout end, as his focus is on being with the Boston Celtics. (via ESPN Boston)

Bradley averaged 1.7 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 31 games last season. Bradley scored 52 total points and had 17 rebounds, 12 assists and nine steals in his rookie campaign for the Celtics.

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NBA Lockout: Nets' Deron Williams Agrees To Play For Turkey's Besiktas

The dominoes are beginning to fall, as New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams became the first NBA superstar to reach an agreement to play overseas if the NBA Lockout does not come to an end before the start of the 2011-12 season. Williams reached an agreement to play for Besiktas, a Turkish basketball team.

"We confirm" the contract with Williams, said Ergin Ataman, the coach of the Turkish team Besiktas, in a telephone interview Thursday. (via New York Times)

The lockout indefinitely suspends all current contracts, which means Williams' new contract with Besiktas is not a violation, according to NBA commisioner David Stern. Williams has two years and $34 million left on his current deal with the Nets.

"If there's a lockout, the players are free; their contracts are suspended," Stern said during All-Star weekend in February. "It's that simple." (via New York Times)

Williams has played six seasons in the NBA, beginning his career with the Utah Jazz, who drafted him No. 3 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Williams' breakout season came in 2006-07, when he averaged 15.8 points and 9.1 assists.

In 65 games last season, Williams posted a career high 20.2 points per game average and had 9.2 assists per game between Utah and New Jersey.

Williams won't be the only NBA star to take their game overseas, as rumors have many of the league's best players considering a change in venue next year, such as the rumor that Kobe Bryant is considering playing in China.

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NBA Lockout 2011: Breaking Down The Lockout With Gilbert Arenas

Having trouble understanding the NBA Lockout? Don't worry, because Orlando Magic guard Gilbert Arenas is here to help. The former All-Star took to Twitter to explain the lockout in everyday terms.

imma explain it in everyday terms..if i put a shoe on ebay..and i spent 100 dollars for it...and now people are biding on that shoe..and 2 people push the bid to 200 dollars but the shoe is only worth 100 dollars...dont get mad at the shoes get mad at the bidders. 

so if im a free agent and 28owners say im worth 50mil but 2 owners really want me and they start tryn to out bid each other and now im worth 85 mil becuz they pushed the value of me up..and now other free agents have a maker to go by so players who are better then me hav to get paid more then me..so one bad contract sets the playing field for future free agents...so instead of attacking the free agent go after the real problem..the bidders...so if sumone wants to give me 85 mil but im only worth 50..the 29 other owners should pull out there rolled up news papers and say "BAD DOG"lol and start hittn..but they dont so they wanna make it seem like were walkin in there and takin there check books and signing our own deals....rich ppl cant control rich ppl so they attack the workers..if they come together and stop over spending on players then we wouldnt need a lockout..if i offered u guys 100 mil right now ..100 percent of u would say hell yea... and i know u would becuz i give out free shoes and 30 thousand ppl try to answer the question each day...so lets stop lying to our selves..

at the end of the day..the owners that over pay will keep over paying becuz they can..and the other owner will suffer..its business. football has a hard cap..so why do the same teams stay good and the bad team stay bad..simple..the rich owners find a way around everything. everybody wants to defer the blame to the ppl that gets the check and not the ppl who write them...i could hav signed 127mil but i tryd to save the team money by signing 111...they spent that extra 16 on what...a better intro to the game...ummm okay

everyone has played monopoly at sum point.. the guy who usually makes the smarter decision with how he spends his money WINS..the rest trys to figure out where they missed up at...ummmm maybe if u stop buyin every item u land on ..u wont lose ur money befor u get to go...lol

so i hope yall understand a little better..im not for or against the lockout..i just try to explain from a players view..but i do own things

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NBA Lockout 2011: NBA.com's New Look Immediately After Lockout Began

NBA Lockout 2011: Owners Want To Crush Players With Lockout

The NBA Lockout is getting ugly, and we're only a little over 12 hours into it. Early reports from the owners' camp is that team execs don't just want the players to bend to meet their demands, they want to absolutely crush them.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com joined The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show on WEEI Friday morning to talk about American sports' newest lockout.

"[Owners] essentially want the players crushed and brought to their knees," said Berger. "From a dollars standpoint, this can be figured out. If there were a serious effort on the part of the owners to want to compromise, a compromise would not be difficult to find. But that is not where the owners are. (via WEEI)

David Stern and the league locked out the players starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Friday morning, meaning that players can't communicate with teams, use their facilities or be traded or sign new contracts until a new CBA is in place.

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NBA Lockout 2011: Wyc Grousbeck Willing To Lose Entire Season?

In one day, the NBA went from one united front to owners and players pitting themselves against each other. The Boston Celtics aren't immune for any drama, either, and Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck hasn't been able to help his cause.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports wrote that Grousbeck may be willing to lose the entire 2011-12 season if he and the owners cannot get a deal done on their terms.

"He's one of the owners believed to be willing to lose the next season, along with Phoenix's Robert Sarver," wrote Adrian Wojnarowski. (via WEEI)

David Stern and the league officially locked out the players starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning after they could not reach an agreement with Billy Hunter and the NBA Players Association on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

If there is no 2011-12 season, Grousbeck and the Celtics would save $31.2 million owed to both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen this season.

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NBA Lockout 2011: How Will Work Stoppage Affect Boston Celtics?

The NBA locked out its players early Friday morning. That's very bad news for an aging team with championship aspirations like the Boston Celtics, who may be in trouble if the lockout takes out the season. Or, it could be a blessing in disguise.

NBA Lockout: David Stern, League Lock Out Players After Talks Dissipate

It's official, the NBA is in full-on lockout mode. David Stern and the league announced that they will officially lock out players as of  12:01 p.m. EDT on Friday morning. Here's the message sent via email from the NBA.

What does that mean for the players? First, they can't have any contact with their current teams or coaches and cannot use any team facilities. In addition, free agents will not be able to talk with or sign with teams and trades can't be made.

In short, if you're an NBA fan, it's awful. The good news, if there is any to come out of a lockout, is that Billy Hunter and the NBA Players Association did not decertify and the two sides seem to be more willing to talk than their lockout counterparts in the NFL.

All things considered, this is not a great time for sports fans, with two of the nation's biggest professional sports leagues currently in lockouts. Hopefully, this lockout won't last as long.

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NBA Lockout: Kevin Garnett Might Sit Out Season If There's A Lockout

Kevin Garnett is a passionate person and player, so it's no surprise that the latest comments from him are on the dramatic side. Garnett, who was present an NBA labor meeting last week, said that he would consider sitting out the entire season, and by extension would forfeit an $18.8 million salary if there is a lockout.

Kevin Garnett delivered an inspired sermon in the NBA players union meeting a week ago, declaring his willingness to sit out the season and forfeit $18.8 million in salary. (via Yahoo! Sports)

Garnett is one of the biggest pieces in NBAPA director Billy Hunter's corner, along with teammate Paul Pierce. According to Yahoo! Sports, Garnett and Pierce would lose $32.7 million in the event of a lockout.

Garnett is entering the final year of his contract, while Pierce is in the second year of a four-year deal.

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NBA Lockout: David Stern, Players Still Far Apart As Deadline Looms

Welcome to the lockout world, NBA fans.

While the league hasn't officially locked out its players yet, all signs indicate that the league and its players are heading towards an impasse. The current CBA expires at midnight on Thursday, and if an agreement isn't reached by that point, it's likely that David Stern and company will lockout the players.

The two main figures in the labor negotiations are NBA commisioner David Stern and NBA Players Association director Billy Hunter, but plenty of other league executives and players will be involved in the discussions.

Similar to the NFL Lockout, discussions will be held behind closed doors according to Stern.

"We're not going to negotiate in the media," he said Tuesday after meeting with owners. "We haven't before, we're not going to do it now. We're looking forward to having our discussion with the players." (via ESPN)

There are many issues up for debate, including salaries, salary cap, revenue and revenue sharing. One of the biggest issues appears to be the salary cap, with the league wanting total salary to not exceed $2 billion.

There hasn't been an NBA Lockout in over 10 years, with the last work stoppage coming in the 1998-99 season. 

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