The West Virginia Mountaineers Men's Basketball Team

The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has some great stories and traditions that have highlighted their past. They currently are a division one basketball team. They play in a conference called the Big East Conference. The team is currently coached by Bob Huggins. Huggins has been leading the gold and blue team for three years up to this point.
In the past few years the team has showed that they are one of the top teams in all of the NCAA. Although many people have noted that they have become one of the top teams recently, they did have a winning tradition in years past as well.
The first bit of major success that the team ever saw came in 1942. Most people that follow college basketball see the NCAA Tournament as the biggest tournament available to participate in throughout all of college basketball. Although that is the case today, it was not always the case. In the early years of college basketball the biggest tournament to play in was the NIT. The NIT is more of a tournament filled with teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament today, but in 1942 only the top teams in the nations would be invited to take part in that tournament. The played well through that prestigious tournament and made their way all the way to the finals of the tournament before they fell.
Although that was the first bit of success that they team had on a large scale, that trip to the NIT Final is often overlooked. The team eventually became much more famous through players such as Jerry West and Rod Hundley.
Rod Hundley went to the school and really started to turn things around. He was the star player that helped the team jump up into the top 25 of the NCAA rankings on a yearly basis while he was there. He was eventually a good enough player to take his skills to the NBA. After he left he was remembered for his legacy that he had established in West Virginia.
The team was of course sad to see the departure of Hundley, but they got something even better. One of the most famous basketball players of all time joined the squad to take over the reins. Jerry West became the new star guard to lead the squad. Although he was a guard he was a presence in the inside and outside of the court during his time at West Virginia. It was not uncommon for West to get more than 10 rebounds even as a point guard.
While West was on the team they tallied amazing records such as their 26-2 record that was achieved in his rookie season. He went on to lead the team to a number one ranking during his career at West Virginia. Eventually he led the team the furthest into the NCAA Tournament that they had ever been. They went all the way to the final of the tournament before taking on California. The finals game was a good one, but eventually the California team was able to beat the West Virginia squad by one point.

History Of The Washington Huskies

The Washington Huskies field a basketball team that plays at the Division 1 level of college basketball. The team plays in the Pac-10 conference. Over the years the team has managed to field teams that have been solid, but they have never been quite what was hoped for by the fans.
The team has never won a National Championship in the history of the school. They have had success in the NCAA Tournament at times, but they have never been able to go past the Final Four portion of the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the fact that the team has never found the success on a national level that they hoped for, they have been a successful school. They have won many, many conference championships over the years to show their success.
The success really started in the 1920's for the team. The team was easily the most dominant of all of the teams in their conference in that decade and was able to bring him the conference championship 4 times in that span.
That start in the 20's really paved the way for even more success in the 30's. The team started off the 30's with a stretch of three straight conference championships from 1930-1932. Those three straight conference championships contributed to the 6 total championships that they had over that decade. That decade may have been the most successful decade for the team in their history.
Although people were winning conference and national championships before the NCAA Tournament came around, they weren't as meaningful. The NCAA Tournament brings a certain excitement to basketball that was never found before it was created. The Huskies got their first taste of that excitement in the 1940's.
In 1943 the team won the conference championship and managed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. This was the first of 15 appearances that the school has made in the tournament over the years. Unfortunately the team was not able to advance to the 2nd round of the tournament.
The 1950s brought tremendous success for the team. In 1951 and 1953 the team managed to qualify for the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. In 1953 the team even managed to go all the way to the final four before they fell.
In 1984 the team found a ton of excitement in the tournament. The team had won the conference championship and went into the tournament with some momentum. They managed to advance not only past their first opponent, but their second as well. This left the team in the Sweet 16 for the first time in the history of the school.

North Carolina Tar Heels Men's Basketball

The North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the most storied teams in the history of Men's Basketball at the collegiate level. The team has found success in several decades in a league that features so many teams that it is very difficult to stay near the top of the game.
The team found success as early as the 1920's. The 1920's included 2 conference championships. They even managed to become National Champions in 1924. This was before the era of the NCAA tournament though and is often forgotten. The team continued to win several conference championships each decade through the 1940's. The 1950's brought the first bit of fame to the Tar Heels.
In the 1950s the team joined the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team began to be led by Frank McGuire and they found their first success on the big stage in 1957. In 1957 the team made it all the way to the Finals of the NCAA Tournament. In the finals they squared off against Wilt Chamberlain and the Kansas City Jayhawks. The game instantly became a classic and was one for the ages. The game went to triple overtime before being decided. In the end the Tar Heels found themselves as National Champions for the first time in the history after the beginning of the NCAA Tournament.
Frank McGuire started things off for the Tar Heels, but Dean Smith is definitely the figurehead of the University. Dean Smith began coaching the team in 1961 and brought huge success within the decade. This success includes three consecutive Final Four appearances in the 1960s from 1967-1969. This is impressive, but they were not stopped at that point in 1968. They managed to advance to the championship game in 1968 before falling.
The 1970s brought two more final four experiences, including another year as runner-up to the champions, but Dean Smith still had not led them to a championship. The 1980's served as a launching board to the next level.
In the 1980s the Tar Heels made the Elite 8 six times in the 1980s and made it to the Final Four twice. 1981 brought another runner-up finish for the Tar Heels as they lost again in the Championship game. In 1982 the Tar Heels managed to crack the seal.
In 1982 the Tar Heels went on to win the National Championship, the first for Dean Smith. This was the 2nd NCAA Tournament championship for the University. After 1982 the University started another championship drought that lasted more than a decade.
The 1990s were another successful decade for the Tar Heels. They advanced to the final four 5 times in the 1990s. In 1993 the team managed to win the National Championship again, the 2nd and last championship for Dean Smith as coach of the Tar Heels. Dean Smith retired as the coach with the most wins in the history of NCAA Division I Men's basketball.After Dean Smith the team struggled to find consistency with a coach. The university experimented with two coaches, Bill Guthridge and Matt Doherty, but neither coach managed to stick around for more than a couple of years.

The Fantasy Basketball League

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional men's basketball league, composed of thirty teams in North America (twenty-nine in the United States and one in Canada). It is an active member of USA Basketball (USAB), which is recognized by the International Basketball Federation as the National Governing Body (NGB) for basketball in the United States. If you've never played fantasy basketball before and aren't really sure what you're getting into, let me break down the basics for you. In most fantasy leagues, you will choose a fantasy roster either by a draft or by buying players. Whatever kind of league you play, you won't always be able to get all the players you want as you are restricted by other teams drafting players you want or by a salary cap. Don't get worried if you're roster isn't perfect as you can always make changes during the season. The NBA is now regarded as the premier basketball league in the United States, and is likewise well-known throughout the world.

Once the season starts, you'll start earning points based on how well you're players perform. Each league has a scoring system which awards points to players for different statistical categories, resulting in a total score. Then, your player scores will be added up to give you a team score. This can be done on a daily, weekly, or some other schedule depending on the league. Basically, you want to get as many points as possible by having the best performing roster! In some leagues, the highest score is the winner, but in others a head-to-head format is used each day or week and you accumulate wins and losses. Now, I am not saying that your team needs to go out and practice 4 hours a day, but one good practice running a simple play against both a man and a zone D will really help your team succeed.  So instead of guys just running around and hoping to get open, they will be able to find seams in the D or create openings for their teammates and the results will be exponential.

Most recreational basketball teams don't have any set offensive plays, and those that do generally played together in high school and are just running through the plays they know.  The latter folks are fine, it is the former that should probably get together outside of a game day to run through some plays. If there is someone on your team who played any organized ball, have them teach you one easy man offensive scheme and one easy zone offensive scheme.  If there is nobody on your team who played organized ball, or if no one can remember plays, then You Tube is a great source for finding short demonstration of plays. Now, with the immense popularity of the NBA and its superstars, many students are looking to get noticed in tryouts, to play in college teams and even perhaps in the NBA. High school students who are talented in the game have a chance at furthering their education by participating in athletic scholarships, where, in exchange for playing in college teams, they get an academic scholarship and other financial help during their stay in that particular school.

Women's College Basketball Games

The very first women's college basketball game took place at Smith College for girls in 1893 where the freshman played against the sophomores. Unlike women's college basketball games today, the game actually took place behind locked doors and men were prohibited from watching. It is well known that basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Nesmith, but what is not so well known is the history of women's basketball. The inaugural women's college basketball session was actually part of a physical education class at Smith College for girls in Conneticut. One of the most interesting aspects of the early women's college basketball games is that the basket was sewn shut so that the umpire had to remove the ball from it every time it was put through the hoop.

There were still 9 players on each women's college basketball team in this inter-college game but instead of keeping the original rule where a player could only hold the ball for 3 seconds and must dribble it 3 times before passing this was changed so that a player could not run more than 5 feet before having to pass the ball. Once again, however, as with the first women's college basketball game, men were not allowed to watch the game. Berenson eliminated physical contact as much as possible to make the sport of women's basketball socially acceptable and to ease the mind of "then" society's attitudes and thoughts toward female sports, when at the time gymnastics was the leader in physical fitness for women. Berenson also thought of physical contact as insulting, which is one of the main reasons she wanted to change Naismith's original rules.

If you went to a women's basketball game and there were wind-mill, 360, and alley-oop type dunks happening within the game on the regular. How would you feel about women's basketball then? How would you perceive these women now? Would this make you withdraw or enhance your support? Would you respect these women and the game more if this were reality? Would you pay to see this? Ponder this. Would it matter to you if these same women wore high-heels or sneakers off the court? Would or would it not matter to you, if these women's physiques were so cut and well-defined that they put most average and healthy men physiques to shame? From my 16 years of experience in women's basketball, I've noticed that not only female basketball athletes, but the majority of female athletes, are judged first on looks alone before their athletic ability is even recognized.

What Made Michael Jordan So Great ?

Jordan was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, the 4th of five siblings. It was in that spring the family moved to Wilmington, NC. Michael played junior varsity ball as a sophomore in high school. He played varsity from then on, winning a scholarship to North Carolina after stellar senior year play. Michael ranks way up there with all the greats of American sports legend. The Chicago Bulls guard had a rare gift, the ability to transcend his sport. It was and is his talent, character and great class on and off the court that make him so beloved by so many.Few have had as much fame as he during their active sports career. One thinks of the Bambino, Ruth and Gretzky and Ali and more recently Tiger. He did not give up even when he was deemed too short in Laney High. As a result, he would use this event as energy for him to do things that would only improve his current situation. He would practice drills every morning and more just to keep playing. At one point in North Carolina, he was able to run the 40 yard sprint at the same pace as his teammate Buzz. To everyone's surprise, he was able to destroy Buzz the following season because of his will to be the best even in things that were not as important.

As many of us know, to this day, many people consider him to be one of the best basketball players of all time. He is a global icon and even people who know nothing about the sport, know his name. Does Michael Jordan play more than other basketball players, is he more talented, or is he lucky? Kid Michael Jordan have a great coach, did he receive help from the day he started to play? These are only some of the guesses that can be made when discussing his greatness. Like a regular kid in love of sports, Jordan would play not only basketball but football, baseball, etc. He did practice a lot but so did many other athletes who only dream of making it where he has been. Jordan combined skill, effort and drive. He also was committed to a standard that few will every rival. He was so focused on one particular thing and was able to put forth. To him, basketball was his only life and he was going to die for it. When he was unable to prove anything more with the Bulls, he retired because his goal was accomplished.

This is one sport that both men and women can enjoy. Many basketball fans spend money to watch their favorite sports team play live while some play basketball themselves. Posters and pictures of great basketball players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are usually found in a basketball fan's bedroom or locker. People who play and also watch basketball know that this game is both enjoyable and exciting. Basketball can be fun in many different ways. You can check out the following information to understand why many people find this sport fun and exciting. Every minute of a basketball game is filled with action. You will never get bored watching the game by yourself, with friends, live, or on TV. Basketball players perform some fancy movements like ball dribbling or slam dunk. These things make the game exciting to watch and play.

Basketball Star - Yao Ming

July 20, 2011 14:00 pm, Yao Ming and his team held a press conference in Shanghai, announced himself officially retired, ending 16-year professional basketball career, and in the conference process due to emotional and shed tears. Since Yao went down, the Rockets have won five straight games. A perfect span in which they have beaten two sub-par teams (Grizzlies, Pacers), one reasonably good team (Wizards), and two very good, talented teams teams (Nuggets, Mavericks). So, it seems as if having their most reliable player has not affected the Rockets in a bad way. Rather, Yao being sidelined looks to have galvanized Houston.

Tracy McGrady is a superstar and when healthy is one of the best players in the league. He is going to get his points with or without Yao Ming. But, the rest of the team is a different story. When Yao and McGrady are in the game, the rest of the team is reduced to mere role players, giving an extra little something to get Houston over the hump. No one player does anything out of the ordinary. However, since Yao went down, Tracy McGrady has had to rely on the rest of the team to continue the insane hot streak the Rockets are currently riding. Rafer Alston is scoring like primetime player. Shane Battier, aside from his usual selfless play and reliable defense, has also started putting up big scoring numbers. Luis Scola is filling the void in the paint beautifully. Yao Ming in the 1997-98 CBA season officially set foot on the track to help the Shanghai team for three consecutive years starting from the 99-00 season, reached the final of the CBA, and in 2002 defeated The Team won the championship. Yao Ming in the CBA league record left a lot of brilliant, for example, in the finals once during the 21-21, have four games in a row sent a total of 40 blocks, and so on.

Houston Rocket's Yao Ming's career may be over due to a non-healing foot fracture. He was sidelined during the playoffs on May 8th with a hairline fracture of his navicular. As of today, this has not healed properly. The nature of his non-union and his prognosis is being kept quiet by the team physicians, but it is evident that there is a problem. Most stress fractures heal completely in 6 to 8 weeks. Many of these fractures are actually missed due to lack of specific x-ray findings. Many fractures are actually misdiagnosed for months. Plain film x-rays are often read as normal so the fracture is missed until symptoms increase. Early symptoms can be diffuse and non-specific so the index of suspicion is also low. Abnormal biomechanics of the foot often are one of the causes of these fractures, so biomechanical control is crucial to distribute the abnormal stress so an athlete can return to sports and have a lower risk of recurrence.

Basketball Uniform Is A Very Simple Ensemble

A basketball uniform is a very simple ensemble, at least in its basic composition. It consists of a pair of shorts and a jersey, both of which are usually made of nylon or some other synthetic material. Players also wear socks and sneakers; these are not always technically a part of the uniform, but they can be. The University of Southern California basketball team members, for example, all have red shoes to match their uniforms. The jersey and shorts are unique to the team, utilizing both colors and designs to create a signature look. A basketball uniform lets the players identify their team mates. This is the purpose of a uniform. The people in the stands can tell which team is which by the different colors of the clothes the players are wearing. The wearing of a basketball uniform makes the player feel like part of the the team. It also brings the players as a whole to be seen as one.

People always comment about how skirt hems go up and down, how waistbands rise and fall; but few people seem to notice the amazing regularity with which basketball uniforms undergo change to accommodate the accepted fashion trends. If people are wearing tight clothes, basketball uniforms become formfitting. If baggy is in, basketball shorts reach to the players' knees. I can think of no other sport in which the uniform makes such a fashion statement and moves so much with the clothing trends of the era. Now that you can tell which team they are on, the next thing is to see what player is who. This is done by putting a different number on each players uniform and adding their name to the back of it to. The team you play for may change the uniform from one year to the next. This will take away some of the boredom with the same old thing all the time. There are usually two different color basketball uniforms per team. It consists of a pair of shorts and a jersey, both of which are usually made of nylon or some other synthetic material. Players also wear socks and sneakers; these are not always technically a part of the uniform, but they can be. The University of Southern California basketball team members, for example, all have red shoes to match their uniforms. The jersey and shorts are unique to the team, utilizing both colors and designs to create a signature look. Players' numbers are emblazoned on the backs and fronts of the jerseys.

One will wear a mostly white one while the other team will wear a more colored one. Basketball players will sweat a whole lot. So there attire will have to be comfortable for them as they are sweating. The clothing will have to breath and take the sweat away from their body. This will also have a cooling effect on the player. Most uniforms are made from a synthetic material. The look of the clothing can have sleeves or be sleeveless. It can have a round neck or a v shaped neck. Their shirts can be solid fabric or part mesh. The mesh allows airflow to keep the player cooler. As a result, it is much easier for basketball uniforms to reflect the fashion trends of any given era. When basketball was first established, circa 1890, very few clothing existed that was specifically designed for physical activity. Hence, many players simply wore the pants and shirts they used in everyday life. It was not until the 1920s that the essence of the basketball uniform was established. Photos from this era show young men in shorts that come to their mid-thighs and formfitting sleeveless jerseys.

News About NBA Playoffs 2011

What once might have become a valuable collectible was now collected by everybody. Demand and prices inevitably fell, and we were all left wondering what was the point. Used to be kids collected trading cards to have NBA images, images of their heroes. In a way the collectible culture had washed away much of the fun in having a pocket sized MLB photo in a fog of value speculation. It was not the youthful enjoyment of sports motivating any more it was the monetary pull of big business sports and everyone was going to enjoy a piece of it. I began buying glossies of my favorite athletes. A great baseball image that could simply be framed and hung above my bar had a lot more value to me than a pile of trading cards filed away in an attic.

They combine great baseball and NBA images with eye popping graphics that are really great for around the house, especially in the kid's rooms. I was immediately immersed in the close up action of these shots which give the illusion of moving when you move. These are "collector's items" in a sense of course and I value them very much. But with these there is no distracting monetary prospecting. There is just sports and my sense of being a fan of them. When done right, suicides can help with explosiveness, foot work, endurance, and speed. To start, line up on the baseline, and explode towards the free throw line. As you approach, chop your feet to prepare for the turn, then explode back the opposite direction. Continue this by going to the half court line, then the opposite free throw line, and finally the opposite baseline. Recover for at least 90 seconds, then line back up and do it again!

The leader will begin by shuffling in a direction, and the follower must mirror the motion as fast as possible. The objective is to remain directly in front of your partner the entire time by shuffling just as fast and changing direction just as fast. From my experience, the players that take initiative and work to improve their game outside of practice generally get much more playing time, and also see dramatic changes in athleticism. Magic Johnson made an even bigger name for himself when playing in his first NBA Finals in 1980, the conclusion of his first season in the professional league, and leading his team to victory after having to play every position on the court during game six after an injury that took star player Kareem Abdul Jabbar out of the game, scoring 42 points contributing to his teams win during his first championship.

The Origin of Basketball

When I was in high school though, my vertical was terrible. It was around the mid 20s and it was a huge detriment to my game especially as I was already small at 5'8! After being overlooked by my coach, again, for the state school tournament, I decided I would not just go and watch everyone else play; I would dedicate myself to increasing my vertical and prove my coach wrong about dropping me.Seriously, that was quite a monatomic summer, but in the end it was worth it! I learned so much from what I saw and what they told me and I want to tell you a few tips here.

In a good basketball jump training routine, it is crucial to develop as many fast twitch muscle fibres as possible. This gives you increased jumping potential as you have more explosive power in your legs. To do this, you'll want to perform leg exercises such as squats and dead lifts, with low reps and heavy weight.If you are mainly using your legs to jump higher then it makes sense to build up and strengthen the muscles in your legs, in particular your fast twitch muscle fibres which gives you more explosion. To do this, you need to lift heavy weight and perform high intense workouts.You should perform plyometric exercises a few times a week on the days you are not strength training. Remember that repetition is a great way to increase you vertical because your muscle builds up memory thus moves more efficiently and easily.

He would subsequently move on to YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts and in 1891, the game of basketball began.
Given the cold Massachusetts winters, Naismith needed to find a recreational activity that could be played indoors and he preferred a sport that would develop skill and one that was not exclusively relying on strength. The first game was played with two peach baskets for goals and a soccer ball.Naismith was able to see his beloved sport of basketball, gain acceptance in numerous countries through the YMCA since 1893. As well, the sport of basketball was brought forth at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. As we speak, the game of basketball has become a very popular professional sport.

Basketball moves

Dribbling just refers to when an individual is moving while bouncing the ball constantly at the same time. The wraparound is another basketball move in which the person with the ball (ball handler) is bouncing the ball with one hand and dribbles it behind his/her back to switch it to his/her other hand. This move is mostly used when an opponent (defender) moves in to take the ball from the ball handler.
Another basketball move is the spin move in which the ball handler rotates his/her body to stand between the defender and the ball instead of facing the defender. This move can be done while the ball handler is dribbling or while playing in a post position. However, the sudden turn can leave the ball handler a little confused but if done correctly it can successfully throw off the defender.
A crossover dribble is a move in which the ball handler changes the pace at which he/she dribbles the ball to puzzle the defender. If the defender is traveling in one direction and the ball handler does a crossover, it is hard for the defender to change directions so swiftly and in some situations the defender might even fall down which is called an ankle breaker.
Another move is the behind the back dribble where the ball handler bounces the ball behind his/her back and changes it to the other hand. This move is different from the wraparound as the ball is not intended to go around the body as it is in the wraparound move. This move is most handy if your teammate is unavailable, to move closer to the hoop with minimum space between yourself and the defender, or to outrun the defender.
In a 2 person basketball game there are some moves that are used which are not frequently used in a game between 2 full teams as there is more space to run around and fewer defenders to think about. One of these is a give and go move where the ball handler passes the ball to his/her teammate and immediately goes to an open area to get the ball. This move is usually used to take the ball closer to the hoop while being able to move quickly to another position.
One more 2 player move is a back door play in which a player gets behind the defense, receives the ball and gets an easy score. This move is often pulled off when the defenders are focused on the ball handler and are not paying attention to the other player or the open space behind them.

Selecting The Right Basketball Shoes

With so many brands and styles, how do you go about choosing a pair of basketball shoes? Many elements come into play, such as the kind of feet you have, your style of play and your budget for shoes. Aside from this, it's always good to pick a pair of shoes that you like the looks of. The following are some of the most important things to keep in mind when you shop for basketball shoes.
It's good to start off with an idea of how much you want to spend, as basketball shoes vary quite a bit in price. Keep in mind that basketball shoes, even the best ones, have to be replaced regularly if you play all the time. For this reason, if you don't have a large budget, you should probably be looking at reasonably priced ones. The most expensive basketball shoes are around two hundred dollars, but you can still get a well made pair for fifty. You really don't want to buy a pair of bargain sneakers for ten dollars to play basketball in. The game is simply too grueling for low end shoes. If you do some shopping, however, you don't have to spend a fortune either, as well made shoes can be found on sale.
It almost goes without saying that comfort is a major factor when it comes to basketball shoes, but it's worth stressing because it really is that important. Be sure that you are selecting the perfect shoe size, which may not be universal across all brands. For example, if you wear a 12 in one brand, you may wear an inch more or less with another brand.
You may want to try on a 10 1/2 or 11 1/2 as well, if the size 11 feels a little too loose or tight. The feet will get slightly bigger when they get overheated, so you need to ensure that your feet can move around in there.
If you're going to invest in a pair of quality basketball sneakers, you should do everything you can to take good care of them. The best way to prolong their life is to only wear them when you play basketball. Basketball is hard enough on your shoes, so you should not wear them out faster by using them for other purposes. When you're not wearing them, your shoes should be kept in a dry spot that's well ventilated. Locations that tend to be damp, such as basements, are not ideal places to keep shoes. You'll be able to preserve your basketball shoes longer if you think of them as part of your playing gear rather than as just another pair of shoes to run around in.
In closing, basketball shoes can help you remain light on your feet and you can do it for a longer period of time. Basketball shoes that are poorly made, that don't fit, or that are worn in can leave you open to getting hurt badly. You should now understand how important the right shoe is to the game of basketball, and also how to go about finding one. The ideal shoe is going to feel good and it's going to let you move how you want in order to play the game at your best.

Rumors Drown Truth on N.B.A.’s Proposal

Hours after the N.B.A. delivered its final collective bargaining proposal to the players union, the rumors and the rhetoric began to flow.

The deal would let teams send players to the development league and cut their pay.

Teams that used certain salary cap exceptions would lose the right to re-sign their own players.

These and other concerns filled Twitter timelines on Friday, a day after labor talks concluded. They turned out to be unfounded, speculative or simply false.

The D-League is not mentioned anywhere in the seven-page proposal that was delivered to the union on Friday — a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times.

Nor are there any measures that could curtail “Bird” rights. While some provisions might crimp the N.B.A.’s middle class, others could boost it.

In the absence of official documentation — neither the league nor the union released the proposal publicly — the rumors have prevailed. “The revised proposal is worse than the last offer,” Nazr Mohammed, a 13-year veteran, wrote Saturday on Twitter.

That sentiment was echoed by several agents and players. But a review of the N.B.A.’s previous proposal and the revised offer does not support the claim. In many areas, the league improved its offer, albeit modestly.

For instance, the league is now proposing a higher midlevel exception for luxury-tax-paying teams — $3 million for three seasons, and available every year. The league had been proposing a $2.5 million exception for two seasons, and available every other year.

The league also increased the annual raises for “Bird” players. And, at the union’s suggestion, the N.B.A. agreed that the 10-year labor deal could be terminated by either side after the sixth year, instead of the seventh.

Two provisions could conceivably hurt players in the middle of the league’s salary structure. The league wants to ban luxury-tax-paying teams from using the full midlevel exception ($5 million) and from making sign-and-trade deals. To partly compensate, the league last week created a new exception, worth $2.5 million, for up to two seasons, for teams that are just below the cap. In the past, teams with cap room were not permitted to use any exceptions, even after they surpassed the cap in a given off-season.

The league also proposed raising the minimum team salary to 90 percent of the salary cap by the 2013-14 season, which should increase spending by the more frugal franchises.

One of the N.B.A.’s new demands does leap out: a call for a 12 percent reduction in rookie and minimum-scale contracts, cutting them to 2007-8 levels.

That provision was not listed in the prior proposal, which was sent to the union Nov. 6.

The ban on luxury-tax-paying teams using midlevel exceptions and sign-and-trade deals — a major concern to agents — may have a minimal effect. Since 2005, only four players have been acquired by luxury-tax-paying teams through sign-and-trade deals. Taxpaying teams used the full midlevel exception only nine times in that period.

Moreover, because the N.B.A. guarantees the players a set percentage of revenues — 50 percent, about $2 billion a year — any shortfall in total salaries has to be made up to the players.

The speculation about teams losing “Bird” rights seems to be based on a misreading of one particular provision governing teams that move into the luxury tax. The simple explanation is that if a team is going to cross the tax threshold using multiple exceptions, it has to sign its “Bird” player first.

As for the D-League, the N.B.A. does want to grant teams the right to send any player with up to five years experience to its minor league. However, that provision is not contained in the proposal that is now up for union approval. Rather, it is one of 30 to 40 secondary items that have yet to be negotiated. Those items are typically discussed after the main framework of a deal is approved.

By any measure, the proposed deal would be a major win for the owners. The players are being asked to take a $280 million pay cut, with shorter contracts, lower raises and tighter restrictions on the top-spending teams. But league officials insist that the deal is not nearly as bad as the rumor mill suggests.

“It’s of grave concern to the league that there is an enormous amount of misinformation concerning our proposal, both on Twitter and in the more traditional media,” Adam Silver, the deputy commissioner, said Saturday night. “We believe that if the players are fully informed as to what is and is not in our proposal, they will agree that its terms are beneficial to them and represent a fair compromise.”

Ed Macauley, Basketball Hall of Famer, Dies at 83

Erectile dysfunction Macauley had been voted the actual nationwide university golf ball participant from the 12 months within 1949 and also the best participant within the D. W. The. ’s very first All-Star Online game within 1951. The actual second-highest-paid participant within the D. W. The. within the earlier 1950s, he or she created the actual all-star group within 7 associated with their 10 professional months.

However possibly he or she created their finest effect on golf ball background when you are exchanged through the Birkenstock boston Boston celtics within 1956 in the elevation associated with their forces for any guy that hadn't however performed just one online game within the D. W. The.: Expenses Russell.


Russell continued in order to revolutionize the overall game as you associated with it's the majority of dominating facilities as well as guide the actual Boston celtics in order to 11 category titles. However Macauley’s brand new group, the actual Street. Louis Hawks, additionally obtained it's money’s really worth: the actual Hawks dropped towards the Boston celtics within the finals the following 12 months, after that received everything inside a rematch within 1958.

Macauley, that passed away upon Wednesday from 83 inside a Street. Louis pension house, had been the slim 6-foot-8-inch middle as well as ahead recognized with regard to their connect chance as well as deft moving. Within the last online game from the ’58 tournament, he or she obtained just two factors however jokingly required credit score for that triumph, directed away how the border had been 1 stage. (The actual Hawks, that received within 6 video games, had been assisted through the truth that Russell experienced the sprained ankle joint which held him or her from 2 video games. )#)

Macauley’s laid-back method had been frequently thought to become the main reason he or she obtained the actual nickname Simple Erectile dysfunction. The actual title really stemmed through their sophomore 12 months from St . Louis College, exactly where he or she had been the celebrity upon it's golf ball group. Hired chief for any online game, he or she brought the actual group in the cellar locker space.


“But no one adopted me personally after i went lower the actual courtroom as well as created the layup, ” he or she stated within 2003. “Then We noticed individuals yell, ‘Take this simple, Erectile dysfunction. ’ We didn’t recognize this, however they had been actively playing the actual nationwide anthem. ”

Macauley continued to train the actual Hawks through 1958 in order to 1960, producing the 89-48 report, whilst additionally helping since the club’s vice leader. Within 1960, from grow older thirty-two, he or she had been inducted to the Golf ball Corridor associated with Popularity, as well as he or she nevertheless retains the actual report for that most youthful participant to become accepted.

Recently Macauley experienced Alzheimer’s illness, their boy Frank stated. Their spouse, the actual previous Jacqueline Combs, passed away within Might.

Along with their boy Frank, Macauley is actually made it through their kids, Jane Ann Shortal, Perry Williams as well as Meg Fruit; an additional boy, Paul; as well as seventeen grandchildren.

Ed Charles Macauley was created within Street. Louis upon 03 twenty two, 1928. Inside fourteen days, he or she had been too large with regard to their bassinet. Their mom organized with regard to him or her in order to by pass 3rd quality to help ease the actual self-consciousness regarding their elevation. He or she didn't perform golf ball like a senior high school freshman due to a turmoil having a inputting course he or she required. However like a older he or she had been employed through Kentucky, Birkenstock boston University yet others, selecting Street. Louis.

Within university he or she instantly came nationwide interest. “At nineteen, he or she appears like a good overgrown church young man, ” Period journal stated.

Within 1948, Street. Louis conquered Ny College in order to earn the actual Nationwide Invitational Event, after that regarded as the actual nationwide tournament. The brand new You are able to Publish documented which “the most detrimental blizzard from the season” strike D. B. Ough. as “a 6-8 stringbean called Erectile dysfunction Macauley. ” He or she obtained twenty-four factors inside a 41-24 triumph.

Macauley had been drawn up through the battling Street. Louis Bombers, that experienced remained running a business simply for the opportunity associated with obtaining him or her, Existence journal documented. He'd a great first year 12 months, however the Bombers collapsed anyhow. The brand new You are able to Knicks attempted to purchase the actual Bomber business with regard to $50, 000 to obtain him or her, however the D. W. The. vetoed the offer. Macauley wound up likely to Birkenstock boston inside a unique write. He or she, Frank Cousy as well as Expenses Sharman offered existence towards the battling business.

Within 1956 the actual Hawks searched for to make use of their own Absolutely no. 1 write option, Russell, in the College associated with Bay area, inside a industry with regard to Macauley as well as High cliff Hagan, who was simply within the army as well as continued to become a Corridor associated with Famer. The actual Boston celtics proprietor Walt Dark brown balked in the beginning. However Macauley informed him or her he'd really encouraged the opportunity to go back to their indigenous Street. Louis in order to take care of the handicapped boy.

Dark brown authored Macauley, stating: “What what this means is for that Birkenstock boston Boston celtics, Lord just understands. You've noticed me personally state often which so long as I've Erectile dysfunction Macauley, I've the ballclub. Nicely, right now We don’t possess Erectile dysfunction Macauley. This is actually the toughest notice We actually attempted to create. ”

Macauley performed 3 months within Street. Louis. Their profession typical had been seventeen. 5 factors within 641 regular-season video games as well as 13. 8 within playoff video games.

Their slim construct didn't reduce their protective expertise. Within successful the actual Michael. Sixth is v. G. trophy within the all-star online game, he or she kept the actual 7-foot celebrity George Mikan from the Minneapolis Lakers in order to 4-for-17 capturing. Mikan’s $20, 000 income had been alone which surpassed Macauley’s $17, 500.

Macauley grew to become the tv commentator as well as overseer within Street. Louis, as well as dedicated themself in order to leads to such as guidance criminals as well as battling abortion. He or she grew to become the deacon within the Roman Catholic Chapel, as well as authored the guide how to provide a great sermon. Their guidance: “Preach because Christ preached. ”.

The Hardening of Easy Dave

David Stern was not always fully sold on going the distance as the entrepreneurial shepherd of professional basketball, as the commissioner of the N.B.A.

In the ascendant days of Magic, Larry and Michael — not coincidently the prime of Stern’s career — the telephone would ring a couple of times each year and someone would pose a question that began: Would you consider? But the feelers, while flattering, were never too tempting. Stern, the son of a New York delicatessen owner, could not pull himself away from a sport that felt all-encompassing, increasingly consuming.

To explain its hold on him, Stern in a recent interview recalled the title of a book that his predecessor, Larry O’Brien, had written about his time as a strategist for the Democratic Party: “No Final Victories.” For Stern, who originally aspired to a long career in law and had a keen interest in politics, basketball became the best of all competitive, and occasionally cutthroat, worlds.

“The beauty of the business is that there has always been something else to do, and there will be when I’m no longer commissioner,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the notion that the time will come to step away. But there are a few more things to be done before that.”

The first of which is to somehow keep his career-defining sculpture from being scarred beyond recognition.

The league’s second in-season lockout in 13 years has created a chasm between management and labor and produced resentments within the warring sides themselves. Given the chaotic nature of the negotiations, Stern’s ultimatum to the players to accept management’s current offer by late Wednesday afternoon or face a more punitive deal carries a real risk. His move could save the season, or set loose the forces of chaos that will wreck it.

In effect, the outcome of the lockout could actually represent Stern’s final victory — at least as some owners will see it. Or in the event of a lost season, his most devastating defeat — and who knows what after that.

Either way, at 69, a time in life more conducive to embarking on a path to patriarchal disengagement, Stern has become more publicly embroiled and embattled than ever. One can almost imagine him on the roof of the league’s Fifth Avenue headquarters, commissioner-turned-Kong, swatting at attackers from all sides — including his back.

Is Stern a menace to the players? Is he misunderstood? Is the problem more with the new environment he inhabits?

“Ownership has changed, the players have changed, the media has changed — the whole landscape has changed,” said Jerry Colangelo, the former Phoenix Suns owner and a longtime Stern ally. “And in the past five to seven years, I’ve also seen some changes in David. He is a survivor and a competitor, but put it this way: some of the stuff has worn on him.”

However hardened and hardheaded, Stern’s pain over having the N.B.A. shut down in the wake of its most compelling season in years has been obvious to those who have known him a long time. They are not fooled by the combative persona, the lawyer prosecuting his case in pursuit of a more balanced and profitable league.

N.B.A. Owners Give Players 4 Days to Accept Final Offerance

A perilous four-month standoff between N.B.A. players and owners has been reduced to a four-day window, with an ultimatum that might destroy the 2011-12 season.

Negotiations on a new labor deal failed again Saturday night, this time with specific consequences: The players have until Wednesday afternoon to accept the league’s final offer, or be dealt a significantly worse alternative.

They are almost certain to reject both proposals, throwing the league into turmoil.

“Right now, we’ve been given the ultimatum,” the president of the players union, Derek Fisher, said in a news conference early Sunday morning. “And our answer is: that’s not acceptable to us.”

The next move made by the players might be the one they have dutifully avoided since the lockout began — dissolving their union. A powerful group of agents and players are clamoring for such an action, which would shift the battle to the courts and perhaps buy them the leverage they need. But it could take months to execute, leaving little hope for salvaging the season.

The league’s fate should be clearer by the close of business Wednesday. That was the deadline given to the union by Commissioner David Stern to accept the owners’ offer: effectively, a 50-50 split of revenues and a package of harsh restrictions on team spending and free agency.

If the union balks, Stern said, the owners will withdraw it and instead offer the players a 47 percent share, combined with a so-called “flex-cap” system that, in practice, imposes a hard cap on payrolls.

“We hope that this juxtaposition will cause the union to assess its position and accept the deal,” Stern said.

Union leaders seem unlikely to reconsider. “But hope springs eternal,” Stern said, “and we would love to see the union accept the proposal that is now on the table.”

This latest negotiating session, the 21st of the lockout, lasted for eight and a half hours, ending around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Under the guidance of George Cohen, a federal mediator, the parties actually narrowed the gap on some crucial items before the talks collapsed.

The players — who had vowed not to accept less than 52.5 percent of league revenues — proposed a 51 percent share, with 1 percent devoted to aid retired players. That moved them within 1 percent of the league’s longstanding proposal.

On Saturday, the owners proposed a “band” that would pay the players 49 to 51 percent, depending on revenue growth. But the union said it amounted to a 50 percent offer, because the threshold for growth was so high that the share would never get to 51. Jeff Kessler, the union’s outside counsel and chief negotiator, called the 49 to 51 band “a fraud.”

Yet it was ultimately the mechanics of a new system, not the revenue split, that killed the talks.

The league’s standing proposal would eliminate spending options for teams that pay the luxury tax, by banning them from sign-and-trade deals and the use of the midlevel exception. At Cohen’s suggestion, the league proposed a “mini-midlevel” that would start at $2.5 million — half the value of the full midlevel — and would be limited to two-year deals.

The N.B.A.’s proposal also called for an additional penalty — a so-called “repeater tax” — on teams that exceed the tax threshold three times in a five-year span. The union is open to the concept, but not at the steep rates proposed by the league.

The net effect of the N.B.A.’s proposal, the union said, would be to eliminate the highest-spending teams from acquiring top talent — thus devastating the free-agent market.

Union officials have been willing to compromise on the revenue split pending some degree of compromise from owners in other areas.

“The big story here is they want it all,” Kessler said, growing more agitated with every sentence.

He said the repeater-tax provision, as proposed, would amount to a hard salary cap, something the union has opposed for decades.

High-Tension N.B.A. Talks Resume, but They’re Between Union Officials

The union’s executive board is holding its first in-person meeting since labor talks collapsed last Friday, and its first since reports of a rift in leadership began circulating.

If there are political or philosophical gaps between Derek Fisher, the union’s elected president, and Billy Hunter, its longtime executive director, they will try to close them, in full view of the union’s staff members and the eight other players on the board.

From there, union leaders hope to turn their focus back to their collective bargaining strategy, and toward re-engaging the N.B.A. at the bargaining table. There is hope that talks could resume Friday or Saturday.

But first, the union must address an internecine battle that for five days has overshadowed the lockout itself and threatened to derail the bargaining process. Fisher and Hunter are said to be at odds, and one published report said Fisher was trying to cut a secret deal with the N.B.A.

Fisher and Hunter have spent the week issuing statements and letters affirming their unity, while trying to calm a 430-person constituency that is antsy over the imminent loss of paychecks.

The damage-control efforts have supplanted any attempt to break the 125-day stalemate with the league, which has already canceled a month of games. That is why players, agents and even N.B.A. officials are eager to see what message emerges from the union Thursday.

“I think there will be a lot of clarity coming out of the meeting on Thursday,” said one person aligned with the players, who has communicated with both league and union officials this week. The first agenda item, the person said, is “to hash out the Derek Fisher situation.”

Two people with ties to the union said the issue was mostly resolved in a Tuesday conference call involving Fisher, Hunter and the board. But one person said it was important for everyone to speak face to face before the matter is put behind them.

The controversy began Saturday, when FoxSports.com, citing an anonymous source, reported that Fisher was trying to broker a deal with Commissioner David Stern without the union’s knowledge. According to the report, Fisher “promised” the union would agree to the N.B.A.’s proposed 50-50 split of revenues. Hunter has vowed not to accept less than 52.5 percent, a stance that contributed to the breakdown in talks last week.

Fisher reaffirmed his loyalty to the union in a letter to players. He also issued a statement decrying the FoxSports.com article — which accused him of making deals for personal gain — as “disgusting, defamatory and a flat-out lie.” Hunter restated his support for Fisher in a letter to players.

Although a fractured union might seem advantageous to the N.B.A., league officials privately are alarmed; there is little hope for a labor deal if union leaders have conflicting agendas.

Until now, the relationship between Hunter and Fisher has generally been solid, according to people who have worked with them. But there are some tensions.

According to a person with ties to both men, Fisher believes that a 50-50 deal should at least be considered, if it would salvage more of the season. Hunter is more adamant about holding firm, believing the long-term gain justifies the short-term losses.

In general, Fisher has assumed a far more hands-on role than the typical player-president — issuing memos, scheduling meetings and becoming the union’s primary face and voice during the lockout. Hunter, who does not relish the role of spokesman, has welcomed and even encouraged Fisher to take the lead at news conferences.

But Hunter has sometimes bristled at Fisher’s assertiveness in setting the agenda — sometimes without Hunter’s input — according to people who have worked with them.

“It just created a little sore spot,” one person said.

The picture is also muddled at the bargaining table, where Jeffrey Kessler, the union’s outside counsel, serves as the lead negotiator. According to people involved in the talks, Kessler does 80 percent of the speaking, while Hunter, who has a reputation for not being detail-oriented, takes a secondary role.

One person involved on the N.B.A.’s side said the negotiations had been difficult, in part, because it was unclear who was in charge of the union.

The intensity, stress and protracted nature of the labor talks have inflamed nerves and heightened everyone’s concern about the outcome. The union has already made huge concessions, and no one wants to be blamed for a bad deal.

The stakes are higher for Hunter, who earns $2.5 million a year as executive director, than for Fisher, whose role is temporary. This is also probably Hunter’s last labor deal; he turns 69 on Saturday.

While union leaders try to repair the cracks, antsy players are sending out warning flares on Twitter.

“Take the 51% man and let’s play,” Glen Davis, the Boston Celtics forward, wrote Wednesday.

Cleveland’s Samardo Samuels wrote last Friday that a 50-50 deal would be fine. “It’s church money away,” Samuels wrote.

Impatience is the most prominent theme, however. As Terrence Williams, a Houston Rockets guard, wrote on Wednesday, “Hey @TheNBPA Let’s play BALL enough with the stare off.”

Union President Fisher Assures N.B.A.’s Players That He Will Stay the Course

In the face of collapsed negotiations, canceled games and unsourced reports of fractures in his union, Derek Fisher moved to reassure N.B.A. players on Monday with a letter that reaffirmed his loyalty to them and his commitment to “the best deal possible.”

The letter was a response to a report by FoxSports.com, published Saturday, that alleged that Fisher, the union’s president, had attempted to cut a deal with Commissioner David Stern without the support of other union leaders. The report cited an anonymous source.

In his letter — a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times — Fisher labeled the report false and absurd.

“But before these reports go any further, let me say on the record to each of you, my loyalty has and always will be with the players,” Fisher wrote. “Anyone that questions that or doubts that does not know me, my history, and what I stand for.”

He added, “How dare anyone call that into question.”

According to the FoxSports.com story, Fisher told Stern he could get the players to approve a 50-50 split of league revenue, as proposed by the league. The union has been seeking 52.5 percent, and the executive director Billy Hunter has insisted that it will not go lower. According to the report, Hunter and an unnamed player from the union’s executive committee confronted Fisher on Friday morning and persuaded him to hold firm at that figure.

Talks collapsed that afternoon, with the N.B.A. and the union still 2.5 percentage points apart. The league canceled two more weeks of games, wiping out the rest of the November.

Fisher addressed the report directly, saying: “There have been no side agreements, no side negotiations or anything close. We are united in serving you and presenting the best options and getting everyone back to work.”

He added, “The attempt by ‘sources’ to divide us will be unsuccessful.”

For his part, Hunter denied any rift with Fisher, telling SportsBusiness Journal, “My relationship with Derek is very good. There was no confrontation."

The season was supposed to start Tuesday night. No new bargaining sessions have been scheduled. However, the parties are discussing the possibility of bringing back George Cohen, a federal mediator who worked with them in mid-October, according to people briefed on the matter.

Collateral Damage Set to Pile Up as Talks Collapse

(Reuters) - With no end to a bitter labor dispute in sight collateral damage is beginning to mount as the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced it was canceling more games.

For the third time in a month, a glum NBA Commissioner David Stern stepped up to the microphone and announced the cancellation of games as players and owners appeared set to endure a long, cold winter of haggling over a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We're going to have to recalculate how bad the damage is...The NBA's offer will, its next offer will reflect the extraordinary losses that are starting to pile up now," Stern told reporters shortly after the talks collapsed on Friday. 'Both sides are very badly damaged.

"The amount of dollars lost to the owners is extraordinary. And the amount of dollars lost to players under individual contracts is also extraordinary."

Having canceled the entire preseason and then the first two weeks of the regular season, which was set to tipoff on November 1, Stern lopped two more weeks off the schedule on Friday as the bitter standoff between owners and players escalated.

Both sides have warned of the devastating consequences a lost season would have on the league but some are already feeling the tremors as arena ushers, security staff, vendors and others whose incomes are linked to the NBA begin to deal with the squeeze from lost jobs and wages.

"We share the frustrations of our fans, partners, and those who rely on our game for their livelihoods," said NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. "We remain committed to reaching an agreement that's fair for both the teams and the players and allows for the long-term growth of our game."

With no talks scheduled, locked out players have been left scrambling to find ways to ride out the storm.

A few foreign players have returned to domestic leagues while some of the NBA's bigger names, like Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant, are also reportedly exploring the possibility of playing overseas.

PLAYING OVERSEAS

German Dirk Nowitzki, the most valuable player of last season's NBA Finals for the champion Dallas Mavericks, said recently he would consider playing overseas if the lockout drags on.

During the labor dispute that wiped out the entire 2004-05 National Hockey League season, 350 members of the NHL Players Association found jobs in various European leagues.

Many, like Swedes Daniel Alfredsson and Henrik Zetterberg returned home to play while others like Canadian Rick Nash and Joe Thornton found refuge in Switzerland.

There have also been reports of plans for a world tour by locked out players.

NHL great Wayne Gretzky led a team overseas during the league's 1994 labor dispute while the NHL World Stars barnstormed their way around Europe during the 2004-05 lockout.

Some of the NBA's biggest names, including Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, may be planning something similar with a November tour in the works with stops in Puerto Rico, London, Macau and Australia.

Players and owners remain well divided over one main issues -- the division of basketball-related income.

NBA owners contend the league lost $300 million last season with 22 of 30 teams in the red and initially demanded players cut their share of revenue from 57 to 47 percent from the previous collective bargaining agreement, along with a firm salary cap and shorter contracts.

The players had offered to reduce their share from 57 to 53 percent, and lowered that to 52.5 percent last week. But that was not enough for the owners, who had formally proposed a 50-50 split.

In the end, neither side was willing to move off their positions.

"We made an offer and that was our offer and because that offer was less than 52 percent (executive director of the players' union) Billy Hunter said that's it and he left," said Stern.

Like the NFL, the NBA labor dispute essentially boils down to a battle between millionaire players and billionaire owners with neither side finding any support among casual sport fans.

With the U.S. still clawing its way out of recession and millions of Americans searching for work there is little sympathy for NBA players grumbling about an average salary of over $5 million a season.

While the league and players are certain to face a backlash at home, some experts feel the lockout could help grow NBA interest outside the United States,

"The lockout might in a strange, perverted sort of way help this league in its continual effort to be the best American global sports brand," Paul Swangard, managing director, Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon, told Reuters.

"You've got all these players over in China, you've got Kobe potentially playing in Italy, you've got barnstorming tours planned, all the product companies are leveraging those player assets in emerging markets."

N.B.A. Negotiations Yield a Glimmer of Hope for Full Season

Confidence, the uncommon customer within D. W. The. groups recently, crept back to the area upon Thursday — gradually, very carefully with moderate fanfare. The actual lockout isn't more than, along with a work offer isn't however within achieve. However it might be coming through the weekend break.

Negotiators for that category and also the gamers marriage taking place the convention, 15-hour bargaining program which proceeded to go through midday Thursday till 3 the. michael. Thurs. These people surfaced along with bloodshot eye as well as tired gazes however having a weak shine associated with wish which was not observed in numerous several weeks.

There is actually speak associated with rebuilding a complete, 82-game period — possible that were basically eliminated previously this particular 30 days, following the category terminated the very first fourteen days from the period.

“I believe it’s too soon, not only each morning, but nonetheless within the discussions, expressing self-confidence which we’re in a offer, ” the actual deputy commissioner, Adam Metallic, stated in a push meeting right before four the. michael. “There’s absolutely no query, although, that people do help to make improvement upon a few substantial problems. However you may still find a few really substantial problems remaining. ”

The actual improvement had been created upon numerous so-called “system” problems, especially the posh taxes along with other systems with regard to managing group payrolls. The actual events may reconvene from two g. michael. Thurs to keep the actual speaks, along with the aim of achieving the offer this particular weekend break — possibly over time to create a good 82-game routine.

“I presume if your offer is possible in between right now as well as Weekend or even Mon associated with in a few days, I believe it’s feasible, ” stated Billy Seeker, the actual professional overseer from the gamers marriage.

Commissioner Donald Strict had been much more circumspect concerning the prospective client of the complete period, however he or she stated the actual category and also the marriage discussed the aim of keeping as numerous video games as you possibly can. The growing season have been planned to begin upon November. 1. If your offer is actually arrived at within theory through Weekend, the growing season might certainly begin over the last 7 days associated with The fall of.

However which likelihood continues to be much more of the wish than the usual concrete actuality right now. Each attributes very carefully prevented any kind of overt confidence Thurs early morning, plus they rejected to provide details concerning the speaks.

“We could sort out a variety of problems these days concerning our bodies, ” stated Derek Fisher, the actual marriage leader. “We can’t state which main improvement had been created by any means, however there is a few improvement upon a number of our bodies problems, certainly sufficient to return from two o’clock the next day. ”

The actual sculpt and also the content material had been substantially diverse from the final period both events talked openly. Discussions experienced hit bottom per week previously, for that 3rd period this particular 30 days, in spite of thirty several hours associated with speaks more than 3 times, just about all using the assistance of the government mediator. The actual mediator withdrew in the procedure and it is no more included.

Anyone who had been briefed upon Wednesday’s speaks stated the actual attributes experienced “moved closer” upon the majority of the program problems, however informed that the contract wasn't at hand. The actual events didn't talk about the actual department associated with income, that continues to be just like crucial since the program problems.

The actual category is actually suggesting the 50-50 divided associated with basketball-related earnings, or even BRI — a noticable difference more than prior provides, but nonetheless a significant decrease in the 57 % how the gamers have been generating. The actual marriage is actually requesting fifty two %, normally.

It had been the actual discussion more than income which triggered the actual foretells fall a week ago. In the union’s ask for, which concern had been reserve for the time being. 1 operating concept is actually when the actual gamers obtain a program which fulfills their own authorization, they may accept the actual 50-50 divided, or even some thing near.

“We’re not really likely to obtain in front of ourself at this time, ” Fisher stated. “We’ll still stay centered on a few crucial theory products within our program which have to stay presently there to ensure that the gamers in order to accept what's currently a lower portion associated with BRI. ”

The actual proprietors possess pointed out they're not going to work out past the actual 50-50 placement. It had been unclear whether or not they stay working upon which determine.

“We do eventually consider their own recommendation that people recreation area the problem from the divided within income, ” Metallic stated. “They understand exactly where all of us remain. ”

There have been whispers associated with wish through the night, through just about all attributes, however they've been lower this particular street often prior to, and then observe their own initiatives accident.

They'd fulfilled 8 prior occasions this particular 30 days, for any complete associated with fifty eight several hours extended more than 20 times. However the exact same 2 problems — the actual department associated with income as well as regulates upon group payrolls — derailed the actual speaks each time.

Strict, that skipped the ultimate settling program a week ago due to sickness, came back towards the speaks Thursday as well as appeared lively, actually from four the. michael.

“The power within the space may be great, ” Strict stated. “The backwards and forwards may be great. We’re getting excited about the next day. ”

He or she finished the actual push meeting together with his typical be aware associated with extreme caution: “There’s absolutely no offer upon something unless of course there’s the offer upon every thing. ”

The actual quickly known as conference ongoing the month-long design associated with suits as well as begins. 3 times, speaks hit bottom among acrimony as well as lose hope. 3 times, the actual speaks started again in spite of everything.

Nowitzki to Work Out in Germany if Lockout Drags

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Once the World Series is over, Dirk Nowitzki will start planning a trip back to Germany unless there's progress toward starting the NBA season.

The NBA finals MVP said Saturday that he wants to resume training with his personal coach if it seems unlikely he will be playing for the Dallas Mavericks any time soon.

"It's time to really get back in the routine," Nowitzki said after throwing out the first pitch for Game 3 of the World Series. "Got to keep the options open, maybe see what's going on overseas."

Nowitzki has become a baseball fan over his 13 years in the United States. Because the Texas Rangers are his local team, he roots for them, and even has a blue jersey customized with his name and number. He threw out the first pitch at a game this summer after leading the Mavs to their first title and attended Game 6 of the AL championship series. He wasn't able to make it to a World Series game when the Rangers made it last year, so he was eager to attend — and take part — on Saturday night.

"I'm really proud of obviously representing the (Dallas-Fort Worth) Metroplex," he said.

Nowitzki has said he would wait until early 2012 before considering playing for a European team. With only training camp and the first two weeks of the season scrubbed so far, he is keeping that timetable.

"If the lockout still stays strong, I've definitely got to look into something there January and February," he said.

Nowitzki is still wearing a splint on the middle finger of his left hand, a remnant of the torn tendon sustained during Game 2 of the finals against the Miami Heat. The injury was supposed to have healed by now, but it turns out that he aggravated it while playing for Germany in the European championships.

"I took a ball on it in the Euros this summer, so it was kind of like sagging again," Nowitzki said. "I've got to keep it straight for, whatever, four, six weeks. But it doesn't bother me at all. It doesn't hurt or anything."

He said surgery won't be necessary.

Germany was knocked out of the Euros before the quarterfinals, eliminating its chances of making the 2012 Olympics. Nowitzki said he hasn't even touched a basketball since then.

"I've just been keeping in shape, you know, working out, doing lots of cardio and lifting a little bit and running," he said. "If the season will start any time soon, I think I'll be ready."

Nowitzki hasn't attended any of the labor meetings, but he said he would consider it. He said it was very disappointing that the latest round of negotiations didn't produce a settlement.

"We're all hoping, I guess, with the mediator, that something was going to happen, and just talks broke off, so it's very unfortunate," he said. "Hopefully we can get something going here any time soon. But it doesn't look good. "

Nowitzki said there are several parallels between the Rangers' quest for their first championship and the Mavs' winning their first, such as a late rally to win Game 2 and tie the series at 1-1 before heading home. The Mavs won it all on their second try and this is the Rangers' second trip.

"Hopefully, they'll learn from last year like we did in '06 and just be able to close it out," he said. "That would be awesome for the Metroplex to do it in the same year, get a championship and have another parade."

Would he sing "We Are The Champions" in their parade like he did during his team's celebration?

"For sure," he said, smiling. "If they want me in it, I'm there."

N.B.A. Talks Break Off, Threatening November Games

Discussions to finish the actual D. W. The. lockout hit bottom once again Thurs evening, within magnificent style, with increased acrimony, doubtfulness as well as hot unsupported claims, as well as regardless of the participation of the government mediator.

The actual speaks finished regarding 7 g. michael., following almost thirty several hours invested more than 3 times in a Midtown New york resort. It's the 3rd period this particular 30 days how the proprietors as well as gamers possess strolled from one another having a sensation they couldn't proceed any more.

The final break down resulted in the actual cancellation from the very first fourteen days from the period. That one ensures which an additional fourteen days, the total amount from the The fall of routine, is going to be destroyed quickly. The chance associated with dropping the whole period looms actually bigger.

“Ultimately all of us were not able in order to link the actual space which sets apart both events, ” Adam Metallic, the actual D. W. The. deputy commissioner, stated regarding half an hour following the events divided. He or she additional, “We’re saddened with respect to the overall game. ”

Absolutely no extra conferences tend to be planned, and also the government mediator, George They would. Cohen, offers successfully removed in the procedure.

Even though Cohen stated he'd be accessible in the event that speaks had been in order to cv, he or she released the dismal evaluation, stating inside a declaration, “No helpful objective will be offered through asking for the actual events to keep the actual mediation procedure at the moment. ”

The actual finality had been fairly astonishing, provided the actual moderate improvement which category authorities and also the gamers marriage experienced created this particular 7 days, along with Cohen’s help.

The actual attributes simplified the actual space upon income discussing plans, using the D. W. The. providing the 50-50 divided, and also the gamers decreasing their own ask for in order to fifty two. 5 %. However which space signifies regarding $100 zillion within today’s conditions, as well as $1 million within the existence of the 10-year offer, that is exactly what the actual proprietors would like.

“They managed to get obvious when the placement had been that people had been not willing to maneuver past 50 %, there is absolutely nothing otherwise to speak about, ” stated Metallic, who had been top the actual D. W. The. depending instead of Commissioner Donald Strict, who had been sick. “And that’s once the conversations shattered away these days. ”

Silver’s effects trigger marriage frontrunners, that stated it had been the actual proprietors that basically released a good ultimatum — a level divided or even absolutely nothing — as well as known as from the speaks.

“I wish to inform you that you simply men had been humiliated in order to previously, ” stated Derek Fisher, the actual leader from the gamers marriage.

Fisher stated how the gamers “continued expressing the readiness in order to work out, ” however how the proprietors declined in order to budge — in order to talk about additional problems — with no union’s acceding towards the 50-50 provide.

The actual events experienced created improvement upon numerous scaled-down products, such as the midlevel exclusion, changes towards the rookie-scale program along with a so-called amnesty supply that could permit groups in order to waive gamers in order to obvious salary-cap space.

These people invested regarding twenty four hours collectively inside a 32-hour period in between Wednesday as well as Thursday, such as the 16-hour program.

Metallic stated he or she started your day sensation positive. Authorities in the players’ aspect additionally experienced which improvement had been feasible once the speaks reconvened earlier Thurs morning, following the D. W. The. ’s panel associated with governors conference.

Marriage authorities advised which some thing transformed in that proprietors conference. Based on the marriage, John Allen, the actual Portland Path Blazers’ proprietor, had been the shock individuals in the work speaks, as well as have been delivered to provide the actual owners’ information — they might proceed absolutely no additional.

“This conference had been hijacked, ” stated Jeffrey Kessler, the actual union’s outdoors lawyer and it is guide negotiator. “Something occurred for the reason that panel associated with governors conference. All of us had been producing improvement. ”

Allen had been delivered, Kessler stated, to provide a note in the proprietors — “and which look at had been, ‘Our method or even the actual freeway. ’ That’s what we should had been informed. All of us had been surprised. ”

Kessler talked lengthy following category authorities experienced deceased. The actual D. W. The. didn't instantly react to their comments.

The actual speaks happened without having Strict, that experienced flulike signs and symptoms. He or she conveyed along with Metallic as well as Chris Holt, the actual chairman from the D. W. The. ’s work panel, through telephone during the day.

Expect the offer keeps growing dimmer along with each and every break down. The actual events had been deadlocked once the proprietors enforced the actual lockout upon This summer 1 and also have because damaged away speaks 3 times — upon March. four, March. 10 as well as Thurs. Since the 2011 diary shortens, the effects improve, combined with the dismal unsupported claims.

Billy Seeker, the actual union’s professional overseer, stated the actual proprietors meant just about all together in order to drive the actual gamers until now, in order to cancel video games and also to pressure these phones skip income.

“I’ve recognized in the get-go, a minimum of 2 or 3 in years past, which actually it had been the actual D. W. The. owners’ intend to locking mechanism away, split the actual marriage, split the actual solve from the gamers as well as enforce on the actual gamers and also the marriage the machine these people desired, ” Seeker stated.

The sooner panel associated with governors conference had been mainly invested talking about a far more nice revenue-sharing strategy. Metallic reiterated how the revenue-sharing swimming pool will be tripled, in order to a minimum of $150 zillion each year, as well as quadrupled within later on months.

Even though particulars continued to be private, the actual league’s weakest franchises might obtain as much as $15 zillion annually underneath the brand new method, based on an individual that has observed the master plan. Both greatest payers will be the La Lakers, who're likely to lead $50 zillion annually, and also the Knicks, who're likely to lead $30 zillion annually.

N.B.A. Talks Pause After 16-Hour Marathon Meeting

With a federal mediator prodding them along, and the stakes increasing by the day, negotiators for the N.B.A. and its players union returned to the bargaining table for a marathon session that began early Tuesday and bled into Wednesday morning.

The meeting in Midtown Manhattan lasted 16 hours, ending just after 2 a.m. The parties left without speaking to reporters, at the behest of the mediator, George Cohen. They are scheduled to resume talks at 10 a.m., giving everyone precious little time to rest.

“The mediator has asked both sides to refrain from commenting,” said Mike Bass, an N.B.A. spokesman. “Both sides have agreed to abide by his wishes.”

There was no outward hint of progress -- other than the length of the meeting and the agreement to continue the talks.

The N.B.A.’s labor-relations committee had been scheduled to meet on its own Wednesday morning, in preparation for a full owners meeting in the evening. Instead, the 12 committee members will again gather with union officials and Cohen in an attempt to break a stalemate that has already wiped out two weeks of the regular season.

The owners meetings are scheduled to continue on Thursday, but they could be postponed if progress is being made at the bargaining table.

If the duration of Tuesday’s meeting inspired some hope for fans, it also came with a large caution flag: the parties have had several lengthy bargaining sessions in the past six weeks, all of which ended without an agreement. This is the first time, however, that the talks have been steered by an outside party.

The lockout is now into its 111th day, the second longest labor crisis in N.B.A. history. The first two weeks of the season – 100 games scheduled between Nov. 1-14 -- were canceled last week, after the last round of talks between owners and players broke down. They appeared to be headed for a long standoff.

Cohen, who last spring attempted to resolve the N.F.L. lockout – to little effect -- brought the parties together again, in hopes of creating the foundation for a labor deal that has eluded them for two years.

Cohen arrived with impeccable credentials and the imprimatur of the federal government, but with no authority to compel an agreement. He was armed only with the powers of persuasion, and the ability to offer each party some cover to make a compromise.

But there had been no shortage of meetings, proposals, ideas and suggestions. By the time mediation began, N.B.A. and union leaders had logged 60-plus hours at the bargaining table over a six-week span. Yet they remained hundreds of millions apart, with an ever-widening rhetorical gulf.

Commissioner David Stern last week ominously hinted that the league’s Christmas games could be canceled if an agreement was not reached soon. Stern has been on a virtual media tour for the last several days, hammering the N.B.A.’s talking points in a furious effort to win the public’s support.

“It’s time to make the deal,” Stern said in an interview with WFAN last Thursday, referring to the mediation session. “If we don’t make it on Tuesday, my gut –this is not in my official capacity of canceling games – but my gut is that we won’t be playing on Christmas Day.”

Stern then implied that the entire season might be at risk.

Derek Fisher, the union president, fired back the next day, saying, “My gut tells me that there’s no way Commissioner Stern and the N.B.A. would damage their business by making us miss a whole season.”

Perhaps not, but more games will be canceled soon in the absence of a deal.

Talks have been stalled on two primary issues: the division of revenue between owners and players and the structure of the league’s salary-cap system. Owners want to reduce the players’ share of revenues to as low as 47 percent, from the current 57 percent. The players have offered to reduce their share to 53 percent. The owners have dropped their demand for a hard salary cap but they remain determined to place severe new restrictions on the soft-cap system, which the players oppose.

Both sides brought their full negotiating committees on Tuesday. Twelve owners, all members of the N.B.A.’s labor-relations committee, joined Stern and the deputy commissioner Adam Silver. Eight players from the union’s executive board joined Fisher and Billy Hunter, the union’s executive director.

As the lockout dragged on, the N.B.A. approved the sale of the Philadelphia 76ers to a group led by Joshua Harris, a New York billionaire. The club sold for $280 million, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, considerably less than its $350 million value, as estimated by Forbes magazine.

Jerry West Reveals Lifelong Depression

 Jerry West says he has battled depression since childhood, when his father would beat the future Hall of Famer, causing low self-esteem that has plagued him despite a successful career as one of the NBA's biggest influences.
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West says his West Virginia childhood was devoid of love and filled with anger as a result of his abusive father, who left him feeling tormented and worthless.

"I would go to bed feeling like I didn't even want to live," West says in a segment airing Tuesday on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

"I've been so low sometimes and when everyone else would be so high because I didn't like myself."

West's memoir, "West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life," is in stores Wednesday. It's a book his wife, Karen, his five sons and his four siblings didn't want him to write.

In the HBO interview, West describes his father beating him with a belt, saying, "It was brutal."

He says he never knew what would set his father off. It wasn't until his father hit his sister that West found the courage to stand up to the man that had abused him. At 12, West kept a shotgun under his bed and threatened to use it on his father if the abuse didn't end.

When West's father died of a heart attack, he attended the funeral. He cries in the interview as he talks about wondering whether his father would be proud of him and his achievements.

West says his depression never bothered him as a player during 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers because he was so driven by a fear of failure. However, once the season ended, he would dwell on the defeats, including the Lakers' six NBA finals losses to the Boston Celtics.

"He wouldn't speak for days at a time ... It worried me," Karen West says, adding that "Jerry doesn't say 'I love you.'... Maybe once a year."

West tells HBO he tried therapy, but gave it up, preferring to take Prozac and work through his depression by himself. He says his condition has eased in the 10 years since he served as Lakers general manager. He now works as an adviser to the Golden State Warriors.

"I'm the luckiest person in the world," he says.

LeBron James Takes His Talents to Liverpool

The Miami Heat star toured the Premier League club's facilities for the first time since becoming a shareholder of the 18-time English champions. James held up the Champions League trophy won by Liverpool in 2005 and posted a picture on Twitter of a red No. 6 jersey with his name on it.

The two-time MVP will sit in the directors' box at Anfield Stadium for Saturday's Premier League match against Liverpool rival Manchester United.

"Jersey ready for the big match 2morrow," James tweeted.

Liverpool's official website said James held up the Champions League trophy won by Liverpool in Istanbul, Turkey, and was told about the team's rally from 3-0 down at halftime to beat AC Milan on penalties.

"That is an amazing trophy! Can I hold it up?" James said.

James brought the club store "to a standstill," the website said, after spending 20 minutes shopping for scarves and clothes for his two young sons back home.

The superstar caused laughter among the fans by attempting to 'shoot' a small LFC soccer ball into a basket 10 yards away. He missed.

James will not be joined at the match by Liverpool's principal owner John Henry, who is dealing with the Boston Red Sox' failure to make the playoffs.

In April, James obtained a small stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool and the Red Sox.

Italian league arranging deal for Bryant signing

The Italian basketball league was attempting Saturday to solve scheduling problems so Virtus Bologna can sign Kobe Bryant during the NBA lockout.
Virtus Bologna President Claudio Sabatini has told The Associated Press he's "very confident" he can complete the deal for the Los Angeles Lakers star.
The 10-game contract would be worth more than $3 million but hinges on other clubs changing their schedules to ensure Bologna has five home games during the span.
Bologna also wants its opening five road games in Italy's biggest arenas. Smaller clubs Cremona and Varese are reluctant to alter their schedules.
The league said in a statement Saturday it is "working to allow Virtus Bologna to arrange a deal to sign Kobe Bryant," adding it is "convinced this deal could be of key importance for the greater awareness of Italian basketball."
League President Valentino Renzi told the ANSA news agency he was "moderately optimistic" a deal could be made, adding "the situation is definitely complicated."
Bryant lived in Italy between ages 6 and 13 while his father played in the country. He still speaks fluent Italian and has said it would be a "dream" to play there.
Bologna would need to have the deal signed by the end of next week to register Bryant with the Italian league before the season starts Oct. 9.
A statement on Bologna's website late Friday said that in accordance with Bryant's representatives the club will not comment further "until either a positive or negative outcome from the negotiations."
Meanwhile, local media were reporting that another Italian club, Montegranaro, was in talks with Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani.
Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari rejoined his former Italian club Olimpia Milano last week, while other NBA players are also joining clubs in Europe and Asia.
With exactly one month until the season is scheduled to start, NBA owners and players were meeting in New York for a second straight day in hopes of ending the lockout.

An agreement on a new labor deal may be necessary in the next few days to avoid having to cancel regular-season games. Part of the preseason already has been scrapped, and Commissioner David Stern has said there must be progress this weekend or there will be "enormous consequences."