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Hello, everyone. Let's just get right down to the nitty gritty as I need to go to work and don't have much time to get this done. Went and played some pickup basketball yesterday and, well, I'm exhausted and likely still dehydrated. So, I'll try to make this quick.
NBPA director: 'Let's stop pretending'
In this article written by Pablo S. Torre and published at ESPN dot com, it is explained how Michele Roberts, the NBA players' union executive director, questioned several of the principles that for decades have governed owner-player relations in the league. Roberts, the first female union chief in major North American sports, objects to the concept of a salary cap and is much more interested in a 50-50 split of basketball-related income between owners and players.
"I don't know of any space other than the world of sports where there's this notion that we will artificially deflate what someone's able to make, just because," she said, talking about a salary cap -- a collectively bargained policy that, in its current form, has constrained team spending in the NBA since 1984-85. "It's incredibly un-American. My DNA is offended by it."
Roberts also discussed the possible age limit with ESPN the Magazine, rejecting the philosophy.
"It doesn't make sense to me that you're suddenly eligible and ready to make money when you're 20, but not when you're 19, not when you're 18," she said. "I suspect that the association will agree that this is not going to be one that they will agree to easily. There is no other profession that says that you're old enough to die but not old enough to work."
Adam Silver and the NBA issued a statement, yesterday, in response to Roberts' statements, stating;
"We couldn't disagree more with these statements. The NBA's success is based on the collective efforts and investments of all of the team owners, the thousands of employees at our teams and arenas, and our extraordinarily talented players. No single group could accomplish this on its own. Nor is there anything unusual or "un-American" in a unionized industry to have a collective system for paying employees - in fact, that's the norm.
"The Salary Cap system, which splits revenues between team owners and players and has been agreed upon by the NBA and the Players Association since 1982, has served as a foundation for the growth of the league and has enabled NBA players to become the highest paid professional athletes in the world. We will address all of these topics and others with the Players Association at the appropriate time."
The NBA's press release did not mention the potential age-limit increase.
Roberts' comments have already put Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA on the defensive. With an impending nine-year, $24 billion TV deal set to begin in 2016, and the players' ability to opt out of the league's collective bargaining agreement after the 2016-17 season, it looks as though talks are beginning to heat up between the NBPA and the Commissioner's office as we approach what potentially could be another season shortened by a lockout.
Hopefully, both will be able to come to an agreement- sooner rather than later -so that we don't miss any basketball.
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Much has been made regarding the health of Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. Some believe he's being selfish, claiming Rose has disgraced the game of basketball by not playing a handful of games early in the 2014-2015 -- although he may have been capable.
"I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball...having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to. I don't want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my (2-year-old) son's graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past.''
Rose left yesterday's game between the Bulls and Toronto Raptors after 'tweaking' his ankle. He was driving to the basket with a little under two-minutes remaining in the game. Afterwards, Rose said he suffered cramps in the hamstring and that it may be so minor as to not require an MRI. The Chicago Tribune states Rose planned to ice it and use stimulation on it, didn't rule out practicing Friday and said it's too early to determine whether he would play Saturday against the Pacers.
Joakim Noah came to Rose's defense after the victory over the Raptors.
Joakim Noah on Derrick Rose: pic.twitter.com/eSTRYmoSW8
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) November 14, 2014
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Wolves Stuff
Today, the Minnesota Timberwolves face the New Orleans Pelicans as they continue their North American Odyssey. Look for a game preview sometime this afternoon. As always, there will be 1st and 2nd half threads as well as a recap where everyone may discuss how they feel about the events that take place.
Yesterday, I reviewed the Wolves loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Expect a Knee-jerk Notes column sometime soon -- either today or tomorrow or Sunday depending on how things pan out.
Meanwhile, Artur Kowis (click the link to be taken to his Twitter account) seems to have found some old footage of Ricky Rubio doing drills that is pretty interesting. So, I'll leave you guys (and gals) with that.....And some music, of course.
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Music
Not sure how keen you (the audience) is on electronic music. I support local music. This was made by a former classmate. The artist is Dirty Talk.