What To Watch For: Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks open up their 2014-2015 season at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls. It will be the first time to see the Knicks in the Triangle Offense in a game that matters. That is just one of many things to keep an eye out for tonight when the two teams take the court to get their seasons started. Here are some other things to keep an eye on tonight in the matchup between the Knicks and Bulls.

-Head Coaching Debut

Derek Fisher will be making his head coaching debut on the biggest stage in basketball at Madison Square Garden. It will be a tough task for Fisher to get a currently flawed Knicks roster into the postseason, but he is as ready as anyone to head the Knicks as he is a natural born leader. Fisher’s suit game has also been a talking point, and something to keep an eye on as his dressings are already among the tops in the league according to some people.

-Who Starts For Knicks?

No one is 100 percent sure who Fisher will be starting in the season opener, but strong indications are that it will be Jose Calderon, who looks to be okay after a calf injury in the preseason, Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Smith and Samuel Dalembert.

That means Amar’e Stoudemire will be coming off the bench along with J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. The rest of the rotation will be worth watching as well, as the backup point guard spot is one that has yet to be decided upon for the long run. Shane Larkin got plenty of run during the preseason, but it would be hard to imagine veteran Pablo Prigioni being pushed to the side so easily.

-Bulls Add One, Lose One

Tonight will be the much anticipated return for former MVP Derrick Rose. Rose, who has suffered long term injury after long term injury the past couple of seasons, has not played in nearly a full season since 2010-2011. After playing with team USA in the summer, Rose looked to be coming around with preseason winding down, pouring in 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 24 minutes and then 27 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to end the preseason.

While Rose’s return will be great for the Bulls, they already are suffering from another injury to a player, this time Jimmy Butler. Butler, who is dealing with a sprained left thumb, will miss the season opener. Butler is hoping to be ready for the Bulls’ next game Friday against LeBron James and aforementioned Cavaliers, but that is up in the air. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said Butler may miss two-four weeks, but quickly turned around and said maybe one-three. No matter what the timetable is Butler will definitely not be in the lineup for the Bulls against the Knicks Wednesday.

-New Schemes

The Knicks are revamping everything in the organization, from the top to the bottom. On the court, they will be deploying a new offense and different scheme on defense than they have played recently. It will take some time to get things rolling, and it will be interesting to see how they look against a strong team in the Bulls right off the bat.

The Bulls have one of the best defenses in the NBA, and how the Knicks run the Triangle Offense against them will be worth watching.  It will be a tall task, and fans cannot overact depending on what happens, but it will be a nice challenge to see how they react.

On the defensive end of the court, the Knicks are also a work in progress. They have to abandon the tendencies they have used under Mike Woodson the last couple of seasons, which is proving easier said than done. The Knicks have played a defense some would consider lazy, constantly switching and putting themselves in poor defensive positions. They were weak at the point of attack, as Raymond Felton was a revolving door at the top of the defense.

Under Fisher, there will be no switching. He is preaching defense and that the players stick with their man. The scheme is to push ball handlers to the outside of the court, trying to avoid letting teams attack the paint at will. So far the Knicks have struggled during the preseason, as their roster isn’t full with players that like playing defense. It will be a work in progress, but if the Knicks are to contend for a playoff spot this season, their defense will have to carry them to start as the offense comes around.

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New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony Both Winners With New Contract

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Photo Credit: Reuters

It took longer than some people had hoped, but the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony finally were able to come to an agreement on a contract, as he will play out the remainder of his prime years in orange and blue. The exact numbers of the contract are not known, but what is known is that it will be for five years and between $122-123 million. It is not for the maximum that the Knicks were allowed under the CBA to offer Anthony, which makes both the player and organizations winners in this pact.

Heading into free agency, the biggest advantage the Knicks had over any other team courting Anthony was money. They could offer an extra year and anywhere between $30 and almost $50 million dollars depending on who the contract was coming from. While the extra money would be hard to pass up for Anthony, President Phil Jackson and the Knicks still needed to make sure the flexibility would still be there. $6-7 million does not sound like much of a discount, but given the circumstances the Knicks are in and cap situation, that is a big help.

Under the current CBA, Anthony is eligible for 7.5 percent increases in salary every season of the deal starting at $22.5 million. If reports are right and Anthony takes a flat salary in Year 2, the numbers will go as follows:

2014-15: $22.5 million

2015-16: $22.5 million

2016-2017: $24.2 million

2017-2018: $25.9 million

2018-2019: 27.6 million

Where the Knicks save in this deal is the second year of the contract, where they needed it most. The summer of 2015 is where the Knicks will have immense cap space, the first real chance Jackson and new head coach Derek Fisher have to really shape this roster. With Anthony firmly in place, they have the cornerstone, now it is time to augment the roster and add to the centerpiece they have in place. It does not seem like a lot on the outside, but that $2 million dollars could be the difference between the regular midlevel exception and the mini. 

The idea behind this is that Anthony gets his money, but later on so that the Knicks can take advantage of the massive cap space they are projected to have earlier on in the Anthony pact. Teams will more often than not try getting players to take less at the end of their contracts, but with this one the Knicks are agreeing to make sure Anthony gets his money over time as long as he gives them the flexibility earlier on to help get talent around him.

Jackson was very happy with how things progressed as well, saying, “He [Carmelo] did exactly what we kind of asked him to do. Give us a break in the early part of his contract so that when we have some wiggle room next year, which is hopefully big enough wiggle room, we can exploit it.” Jackson continued that saying, “I want to be fiscally responsible. We’ve been a taxpayer team for a little bit and we want to limit that.”

The Knicks have the taxpayer’s mini midlevel exception available to them, but they may not put that to use this season. The Knicks, admitted by Jackson, have some holes on the roster, but said, “We’re not just going to foolishly throw money away because it’s available to us.”

The hard part now is done for the Knicks, as they finally have their guy in Anthony locked up and on board. The next step for the Knicks will be evening out the roster. As currently situated, the Knicks are over-loaded in the backcourt with a log jam at the shooting guard position and a plethora of guards. On the flipside, they are thin up front and could use some help up front in the center and big man departments. How they go about filling those holes will be interesting to watch, as the goal is to keep the salary cap in 2015 and beyond as open as possible.

During his time on the television broadcast Jackson mentioned some holdovers from last season that he expected to see improvements from this season. That may be the strategy the Knicks take, hoping players such as Iman Shumpert and Andrea Bargnani fit more into the new scheme than the old one. Whatever the decision must be, it is now up to Jackson and Fisher to continue shaping this organization into the contender the fans and city are desperate to have.

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New York Knicks' Raymond Felton Avoids Jail Time, What Is His Future With Team?

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725) 

AP Photo/John Minchillo

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton received some good news Monday morning, as he will avoid jail time after reaching a plea agreement on two felony gun charges he had been facing since late February.

Per the agreement made, Felton has to plead guilty to one of the two charges, which were third degree criminal possession of a weapon or criminal possession of a firearm. In addition, he has to complete 500 hours of community service, pay a $5,000 fine, register as a gun offender and he cannot appeal the case, waiving that right.

Felton did not talk at the hearing Monday morning, and did not take questions from reporters either once out of the courtroom. He did issue a statement for all to hear once outside.

“I just want to say that I want to thank the DA for being fair to me in this whole situation. I want to thank all my friends, my family especially, my fans, everybody just for supporting me and understanding the person I am.”

It has been a tumultuous time for Felton, who has had these charges hanging over his head since February 25^th when he turned himself in. His wife, Ariane Raymundo-Felton, alleged that he threatened her with a firearm. She also filed for divorce from Felton just a week prior to this incident.

Felton is fortunate to receive the decision that he did, because it could have been much worse. New York sports fans remember Plaxico Burress having to deal with gun charges in 2008, derailing the New York Giants season when they looked poised to challenge for another Super Bowl. Burress received a two year jail sentence; Felton’s charges carried a maximum of seven years in prison. He should consider himself lucky to receive the sentence that he did.

Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

On the basketball side of things, Felton has two years remaining on the four-year $15 million contract he signed prior to the 2012-2013 season, with a player option on the end.

He had arguably the worst season of his career last year, averaging a career-low 9.7 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting and only 5.6 assists per game. Stats like that will make it hard for Felton to be moved, but the Knicks will certainly try.

Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that Jackson planned on moving on from Felton, essentially telling him during his exit interview that his chances of staying with the team were slim to none. With Felton avoiding jail time, the chances of Jackson being able to move Felton increased. The only thing Felton and whatever team he plays on next season has to worry about is a suspension from the NBA.

Where Felton will be moved is a whole different animal. It is hard to imagine a team taking on Felton willingly, so a more realistic option would be him being added into a bigger trade. For example, a team wanting Tyson Chandler, it is conceivable the Knicks try to convince them to take on Felton as well. It is the type of trade that would have only been a pipedream in recent seasons, as the Knicks were usually the ones taking on poor contracts.

Another option is being packaged with Iman Shumpert. The Knicks were close to trading Shumpert at the 2014 trade deadline, but the deals were off after they insisted on including Felton in the deal. The bartering back and forth between taking back a first round draft pick and moving Felton stalled all of the deals. With the offseason now on our hands and the draft right around the corner, the Knicks are again shopping Shumpert in hopes of getting into the first round of what is a loaded draft.

There is interest in Shumpert, and the Knicks should take advantage and try pawning Felton off on another team. Felton’s days as a serviceable starting point guard look to be behind him, but he would easily be a top reserve guard with the capabilities of spot starting when necessary. A team like the Thunder could have a use for Felton with Derek Fisher retiring and coaching the Knicks now, and previously having interest in Shumpert.

While it may be tough moving Felton, the Knicks do not have many other options replacing him. They have already been linked to liking Patty Mills, but being armed with only the mini-mid level exception he may not be in their price range. While many people will see it as a disappointment if Felton is still the starting point guard for the Knicks next season, it is the most likely scenario. The Knicks just have to hope the veteran point guard can bounce back after a tough 2013-2014 season.

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New York Knicks Make Right Choice Officially Naming Derek Fisher Head Coach

CBS Sports New York

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

The New York Knicks and Phil Jackson have finally gotten their guy, as Derek Fisher officially became head coach of the team Tuesday. Fisher, who played nine seasons with Jackson, winning five NBA titles in the process, will be the 26th head coach in the history of the franchise.

The Knicks did not wait long to land Fisher, who had not yet even officially announced his retirement before the Knicks began ramping up their pursuit of the 18-year veteran. The deal that Fisher and the Knicks agreed to is a five-year, $25 million pact. It is worth noting that Fisher, who earned over $63 million over his playing career, earned $5 million in a season only four out of the 18 years he played.

While many people will cite Fisher’s inexperience as a coach as a reason for this being a poor hire, Fisher, in reality, is the perfect fit for the direction this team is heading in. Jackson was adamant about finding a head coaching replacement that shared his philosophies and fit a very specific criterion, but he found it in Fisher.

People will poke holes in this kind of thinking, saying a person with experience can only succeed in New York and Jackson pigeonholed the search too much. But, this should be viewed as a positive thing. The fact Jackson is attempting to build some continuity and cohesion from the top down in the organization is a refreshing thing to see. Too often the Knicks have been a media circus, with the views of the people at the top of the organization not meshing the ones on the court. It caused fissures throughout the organization, leading to the out of control circus that has turned a once storied franchise into the butt of plenty of jokes and for the most part a laughing stock.

Seth Wenig - AP Photo

After such a disappointing 2013-2014 season, expectations should be tempered for Fisher and the Knicks heading into next season. This could lead to unexpected positive results, much like other first-year coaches such as Mark Jackson, Jeff Hornacek and Jason Kidd have experienced recently. If Fisher can lead the Knicks to a season like Kidd led the Nets to last year, or Hornacek led with the Suns, it should be considered a great success.

The first step Fisher and Jackson will have to take is filling out the remainder of the coaching staff. When Jackson fired Mike Woodson, he sent his whole coaching staff packing. Much like with the head coach, the assistants will have to be triangle offense disciples so everything is consistent throughout the staff. Kurt Rambis has been confirmed as one of the assistants, with Bill Cartwright interviewing for a position. Former Jackson players Luke Walton and Rick Fox have also been mentioned as possible options on the bench, along with ex-Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons, ex-Bulls player Ron Harper and 18-year NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse.

It will be a long process for Fisher and the Knicks, but he sounded confident and ready to go in his introductory press conference. He is an intelligent person with loads of basketball experience. The championship rings he has back that up. He also has a luxury not many rookie head coaches have in being friends with and having a mentor with the stature and experience of Jackson. There aren’t many people better to learn basketball from. The foundation is being built in a constructive way, it is now time for Fisher to learn the ins and outs of coaching and begin shaping a winning roster alongside Jackson and the rest of his coaching staff and front office.

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When Power Corrupts: The NBPA

I was always taught to never bite the hand that feeds you and it's a life lesson that's ingrained into my being.  When leagues are battling against unions in sports, the league usually wins but if the union isn't strong then the league can impose its will with much more force and that's what the NBA's Players union experienced during the summer of 2011.  During the last NBA lockout, The Hardwood Nation broke away from the media glossed lockout coverage and delivered the following truths to fans of the NBA all around the world:

1. The NBA Lockout was owner imposed
2. NBA Players never asked for more money
3. The owners wanted to crush the will of the NBA's Superstars
4. Union Director Billy Hunter and President Derek Fisher were at odds 

The tension between Union Director Billy Hunter and Union President Derek Fisher could be seen for miles.  Once strong allies, the pressure of delivering the best deal to their players grew on both but it was Fisher who caved first.  After months of tense negotiating sessions, it was Derek Fisher, who according to reports, was ready to deliver an owner friendly side deal to end the lockout and make himself out as the hero while Hunter fought for the principle in the matter and wanted to hold the owners to the agreement that they fought so hard to secure in 1998.  Mainstream media (ESPN) delivered to its fans NBA friendly lockout coverage due to the two entities being business partners.  During 2007 the NBA signed a contract with both ESPN and TNT that would pay the league $930 million a year through the 2015/16 season.  At the time of the signing, NBA Commissioner stated the following:

"I consider this to be a wonderful vote of confidence by our very sophisticated network partners who are making such a substantial and long-term commitment," NBA commissioner David Stern said.

The truth was never going to properly be told, there was too much money involved to keep it under wraps.  The NBA owners wanted the infighting in the union to continue because they knew that they could easily defeat a fracture union and it continues.  

After denying reports of tension, Union President Derek Fisher finally displayed his true colors by accusing Union Director of wrong doing and hired an independent firm to investigate Hunter.  Fisher also went as far as to threaten legal action against anyone in the media who spoke out against him i.e. Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com.  So wait, you accuse someone of wrong doing but when your motives are called out you threaten legal action.......ok?

It was April 15th when Fisher hired the services of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to investigate the Union's business practices in hope that he would find illegal wrong doing on the part of Hunter so that he could be ousted.  Nine long months later Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, released their finding to the world.  

Our first objective was to identify potential criminal wrongdoing.  After an 
exhaustive review of tens of thousands of pages of  documents, including years of Union 
financial records and emails, and after evaluating statements made by more than three dozen 
witnesses, we conclude that the evidence does not show that Mr. Hunter embezzled or stole 
money from the NBPA.  

But our inquiry was not confined to criminal misconduct.  We have 
concluded that, at times, Mr. Hunter took actions that were inconsistent with his fiduciary 
obligations to the NBPA, displayed poor judgment, paid little attention to the appearance of  
impropriety that his conduct could foreseeably create and did not properly manage conflicts of 
interest.  We cannot say that he alone was responsible in all instances for these missteps, for we 
believe that the NBPA lacked important systemic controls involving basic principles of corporate 
governance, including the management of self-dealing transactions, and that other Union 
representatives did not always satisfy their own responsibilities.  Yet as the chief executive 
officer of the Union, Mr. Hunter stands responsible for ensuring that such controls be put in 
place.  In this important task he failed.



Never told the Union’s Executive Committee or Player Representatives 
that his current employment contract, which was executed in 2010, was 

not properly approved under the Union’s By-Laws, even though by at least 

November 2011 outside counsel to the Union had told Mr. Hunter that the 

necessary approval had not occurred and remained necessary; 

Obtained the Union’s agreement to pay him $1.3 million for accrued but 

allegedly unused vacation time (146 days) without adequate independent 

review of underlying records and without securing independent advice for 

the Union on its obligation to make the payment; 

Involved family and friends in Union business as employees or vendors 

without full disclosure and the disinterested approval of the Union’s 

officers and directors; and 

Created an atmosphere at the NBPA that discouraged  challenges to his 

authority, including by allowing the Union’s former General Counsel, 

Gary Hall, to stop former Secretary-Treasurer Pat Garrity from speaking 

freely about conflicts of interest to the Executive Committee.

Considered what would have been a risky investment  of millions of 

dollars in ISN Bank, a failing financial institution, without disclosure to 

the Executive Committee that his son Todd was then  a director of the 

bank, and spent more than $80,000 in due diligence  expenses before 

abandoning the transaction; 

Approved a payment by the Union of approximately $28,000 to cover 

personal legal fees incurred by Charles Smith, the  former Executive 

Director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association 

(“NBRPA”); 

Made questionable choices when charging travel expenses to the Union, 

which at a minimum create the appearance that he has taken undue 

advantage of the discretion he possesses to travel  to destinations of his 

choosing; 

Pursued speculative and, for the Union, atypical business ventures as 

potential investments; 

Spent Union funds on luxury gifts for Executive Committee members, 

including nearly $22,000 for a watch he gave to Derek Fisher in 

June 2010; 

Failed to observe principles of proper governance at the Union, including 

by neglecting to ensure that the NBPA’s By-Laws were followed and 

appropriate systems were put in place to safeguard against possible misuse 

of Union funds, conflicts and similar risks; and 

Ran the NBPA Foundation (the “Foundation”), a separate entity through 
which the Union supports various charitable organizations, without regard 

for its by-laws or governance standards applicable to non-profit entities. 

It took 9 long months and $4 million spent by the NBPA for the conclusion that Billy Hunter didn't commit anything criminal, hired his son's law firm to receive  the "family discount" on the Union's end and used $22,000 to buy former partner and one time friend Derek Fisher a luxury watch.  This seems to be much to do about nothing and it's ridiculous in its core.  Make no mistake about this was an unnecessary power struggle, one that didn't have to happen.  

If anyone has done anything shady here it's Derek Fisher.  Does one remember when Fisher played for the Dallas Mavericks for a grand total of 9 games earlier this season before abruptly walking away?  Any player on the Players Union must be an active player in the league for any given season....translation....Fisher used the Mavericks to maintain his position of power on the NBPA Executive Committee for another season to finish his unwarranted his on Billy Hunter.

Maurice Evans, 34, was the Executive Vice President of the NBPA and third on the totem pole behind Hunter and Fisher.  He was perhaps Hunter's greatest supporter on the executive committee and he recently spoke with Jason Whitlock about the apparent power struggle and the desire of Derek Fisher to see Hunter relieved.  Evans also touched on why he thinks he's not currently employed in the league after 9 years of being a reliable role player.  

“I give (Derek) a round of applause for being able to pull off this stunt and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes,” Evans said. “If he wants the union that bad — let him and Ron Klempner and Jamie Wior — they can have it....Without a doubt, I know me not being in the league has something to do with my support of Billy Hunter.....I’m fully comfortable not playing in the NBA ever again....They excommunicated your boy,” Evans said. “They took my tickets, took my little status as executive vice president.”

Evans didn't hold back the punches and even went for the jugular of Derek Fisher and how he used the Mavericks as I mentioned earlier.  

“They were able to circumvent (the system) by putting him on a team for a day and a half so he could be reinstated as president,” Evans claimed. “I don’t know who (are) the powers that be to put that in place, but D. Fish was only on the Mavericks this year so they could pull this stunt off, so they could get Billy Hunter out of office.”

Once the NBA Lockout of 2011 had ended, The NBPA executive committee voted 8-0 to have Derek Fisher removed from his position of power as many worried about his relationship with David Stern.  If Fisher was voted out, how was he able to maintain his position, shouldn't that be investigated as well?

“Of course (the players) have questions about Derek,” Evans said. “But Derek has done a great job of being on the offensive and only pointing the finger at Mr. Hunter. (Derek) has been busy throwing darts and throwing dirt at (Hunter) that nobody has ever taken the time to stop and ask what is Derek’s motive. What really went on in Dallas that he left to go and say now all of sudden he has family issues, he misses his family?  Now all of sudden what really happened? We voted him out 8-0 as president and yet he still stayed on, didn’t blink twice and came back with Paul-Weiss, and now they’re running the union.”

The members of the NBPA will meet Saturday afternoon and determine the fate of Hunter without Hunter being there to defend himself.  Last week Hunter wasn't allowed to enter his office in New York and was escorted away.  This is a mess and there's wrong doing on both sides.  Derek Fisher should not be allowed to have the final say in the fate of Hunter and Fisher himself should be held accountable to attempting to throw the NBPA under the bus during the Lockout of 2011 and also for this witch hunt. Using treacherous tactics and wasting $4 million of the NBPA's money to find no illegal wrong doing is absurd and a complete misuse of time and resources.  If Hunter is indeed removed later today, Fisher must be removed as well and the entire NBPA must be reformed as a more stable and united core because if not the owners will run rough shot over the NBPA again and the results could prove disastrous for the game that we love.  

Presentation to NBPA Mid Winter Meeting 2013

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Billy Hunter addresses NBA Players

TO: ALL PLAYERS

FROM: G. WILLIAM HUNTER

DATE: November 01, 2011

RE: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE (NOVEMBER 1, 2011)

As you have undoubtedly heard, negotiations with the owners aimed at ending their 4-month lockout collapsed on Friday, October 28. After three days of productive talks, which followed a week of negotiations aided by the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, the owners held firm to their ultimatum that we take a 50/50 split in BRI. It was at this moment that the Negotiating Committee and I decided that it no longer made sense for the union to continue the negotiations, and I led our group out of the room. Derek sent out a thoughtful letter last night summarizing his thoughts, and I want to follow up to reinforce his message of solidarity and reflect on where we may go from here.

Let me begin with some positive news. During the marathon session last Wednesday and the two days that followed on Thursday and Friday, we made great progress in working through many of the system issues that must be resolved before a deal can be reached. While the soft cap/luxury tax system we are negotiating is far from perfect and contains positives and negatives for both sides, I believe that if the last few system issues are resolved in our favor, it will be one that we can recommend to you. Without question, we have given more than the owners, but at bottom, we are determined to defend the principles we have fought for throughout -- guaranteed contracts, healthy minimums, fair maximums, a strong middle class, and a true market for free agency.

Unfortunately,

there is still work to do before we can declare these victories, and several important system issues must be resolved. So far, we have agreed to raise the team salary floor and implement a more punitive tax system that will diminish the gap between high and low spending teams. However, we still must fight to keep all teams in the market for player services, and as a result many key issues remain, including limiting additional penalties for repeat taxpayers, insuring that the luxury tax is not overly oppressive, and the continued availability of the midlevel exception and sign and trade transactions for taxpaying teams. While these issues may sit outside the spotlight, they have a major effect on player working conditions and the ability to create a robust and fair market for player services. Further, we must have additional discussions on revenue sharing. Based on the limited review we were finally granted last Friday, the revenue sharing system proposed by the NBA addresses the profitability issues of small market teams. However, it reduces the incentive for small market teams to grow revenues and improve.

Our meeting on Friday, however, did not collapse because of system issues. Our Negotiating Committee reached the unanimous conclusion that the NBA's 50% ultimatum, combined with the league's hard line position on the remaining system issues, was unacceptable for the players.

As you know, NBA players have received 57% of BRI for many years. In an effort to make a deal and save the season, in past meetings we have offered to reduce our share to as low as 52.5% with certain system issues in our favor. On Friday, considering the many system points we had already conceded, I hoped and expected the owners would move towards our proposed BRI number. Instead, Commissioner Stern insisted that the NBA would move no further than 50%, and I ended the meeting.

In my view, a 50/50 split of BRI does not adequately compensate the players for our services to the NBA. Remember that BRI does not reflect the total revenues generated by the NBA. The NBA is allowed to take hundreds of millions in "expense credits" before sharing any revenue with the players ($543m in 2010-11). Given this, under the NBA's proposal, the players would receive only 44% of total revenue generated by the league. By comparison, we received 50% of total revenue under the previous CBA, and our 53/47 proposal would reduce the player share to 46.4% of total revenues. In addition, compared to our former 57/43 split, the owner's proposed 50/50 shifts more than $300 million per year to the owners, which equates to more than $3 billion over a 10-year deal. A move of this magnitude guarantees operating profits for all owners irrespective of quality of management and does not allow players to adequately share in the growth of the league.

It is important that you know that our Negotiating Committee has made every possible effort to resolve this conflict. We have proposed a diverse array of ideas and concepts to address the NBA's concerns about competitive balance and salary disparities. Regarding the BRI split, we have made significant compromises in an effort to bridge the financial gap that separates us. In fact, our offer of 53% amounts to an average of $185 million per year in financial givebacks, which, even under the most pessimistic interpretation of the league's financial statements, covers the league's entire purported operating loss.

The NBA, however, seems resigned to testing the resolve of our players through intimidation and hard bargaining tactics. They have given us "take it or leave it" ultimatums, threatened to end the season prematurely, reached out to players in an attempt to divide us, misled the press, and pre-conditioned further talks on our acceptance of significant concessions. This is an unacceptable form of negotiation, especially where the respective fates of the players and the owners are inextricably related. Moreover, it does nothing but damage the relationship between the league and union.

Furthermore, in recent weeks you have no doubt seen, heard or read Commissioner Stern in the media as he embarked on a media blitz intended to scare players and inflame the public. Do not buy into this. This public saber rattling is common in high profile and high stakes negotiations, and we anticipate that it will continue and intensify as the lockout continues. We will not be intimidated by public threats, ultimatums and manufactured drop dead dates. We will stand firm in our resolve to negotiate a fair deal for our current membership and those who will join our ranks in the future.

Your role is an important one. The owners need to know that we will stand strong until they are ready to finish negotiating a fair deal -- not one reached with preconditions, and not one forced down our throat with the threat of missed paychecks. We have prepared for this moment for over two years and now we are here. We are proud of the actions of our Committee and take great comfort in knowing that we have your support.

One final note before I conclude. Contrary to what is being said in the media, Derek, myself and the Negotiating Committee are of one accord. Derek is a fearless defender of player rights both at the bargaining table and behind the scenes, and he carries out his duties as President with the same degree of courage, focus and tenacity that he has exhibited on the court as a five-time champion. We are all well served to have Derek in a leadership capacity during these negotiations.

We will communicate more details on short-term and long-term logistical plans in dealing with this lockout and updates on the negotiations. Thank you again, and please feel free to contact me or the staff with any questions or concerns.

G. WILLIAM HUNTER
G.W.H.

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Derek Fisher's Letter to NBA Players in response to Jason Whitlock's Claim

All,

Interesting times right now. The clock is ticking and we are aware that games are being lost, our jobs are on the line as are those of all the arena workers and business owners impacted by the lockout.

We have been prepared for this and need to make sure we are getting the best deal possible. As this sets the precedent for the next 6, 7, 10 even 20 years. My goal, the Executive Committee's ONLY goal is to present you with the most fair deal possible. A deal that is both fair on system and BRI. One isn't more important than the other. They are both extremely impactful to our business, our sport and our day to day life in the league.

Our Executive Committee, NBPA staff and I are navigating the negotiations very carefully. We need to continue to work hard on your behalf and get the season going if possible. I've been speaking with many of you and we are working with your opinions, suggestions, and requests front and center. This is your union, and we work with and for you.

Many of you have asked about the timing of the cancellation of games. We know as players and interacting
with our fans and the people that work in these arenas on a daily basis this is having an impact. If nothing more, the league and owners should understand people's livelihoods are at stake. They should be able to take the over 1 Billion dollars we've offered them and open the doors of their arenas and let us, along with the ushers, parking attendants, everyone impacted to get back to work.

Usually I wouldn't even dignify absurd media reports with a comment. 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. Anyone that questions that or doubts that does not know me, my history, and what I stand for. And quite frankly, how dare anyone call that into question. The Players Association is united and any reports to the contrary are false. 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.

The attempt by "sources" to divide us will be unsuccessful. We will continue to work every day to do right by you, the businesses that depend on our league and our fans.

The NBA and the owners have not allowed us to go back to work. So they have essentially turned their backs on not only the players, but the fans that have made them billions. I hope they decide to change that. It's the only way everyone wins. I urge each of you to stay involved. Call me and your fellow players on the Executive Committee and the NBPA staff with anything you need or questions you may have.

I will be in touch later this week with updates on the details of the negotiations. Stand United.

With much respect,
Derek

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Divide and Conquer: NBA Lockout 2011

Divide and Conquer also known as divide and rule refers to a strategy that breaks up existing power structures and prevents smaller groups from linking up.

David Stern 

Lets not shroud this in something that it is not, this is about winning, always was but winning is in part perception.  Take a look at NBA Commissioner Stern's press conference last evening after talks between the owners and the player union broke down again.  During said press conference, Stern took the misinformed on a magical tour through his world of spin where the owners supposedly "moved" yesterday from 47% to allowing the players to have 50% of Basketball Related Income "BRI".  That may have been news to the misinformed casual fan who wants the players to take a deal at all costs due to that type of fan being thirty for NBA basketball, but the reality is that everyone in the know has known that a 50/50 split has been what the owners have wanted all along.  There was no new revelations last evening from Stern other than the cancellation of NBA games through November 30th, but even with that news, it was expected to be announced once the week began anyway, so again many of you got spun yesterday
by Stern to put the players and their leadership at fault here.  The major players in the lockout are Commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver who represents the owners versus Executive Director of the NBPA Billy Hunter and President of the NBPA Derek Fisher represents the players.   At its core it seems to be a fair fight, power matching power, equal sides but what if the sides aren't equal, what if the odds are in the favor of the NBA, what if in all reality the ratio is 3 against 1 with Hunter being the odd man out.

Michael Curry 

Last evening Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com suggested that there may be a rift in the ranks of the NBPA.  In his piece Is Fisher in Stern's back pocket?  Whitlock detailed the sudden rise of power within the NBA Michael Curry, the previous NBPA president.  During his NBA career which started in the 93/94 season, Curry played for six franchises before retiring after the 2004/05 season.  Playing 11 years in the NBA is an accomplishment due to the fact that the average career spans about 4 seasons but Curry was known as a great defensive presence and a leader which is evident by Curry scoring only 2,986 points in his career.  To put that point total in perspective, during the 05/06 NBA season, Kobe Bryant scored 2832 for an average of 35.4 point per game while playing in 80 of 82 games.  Curry's career point total could be matched in a season by a player averaging 36.4 points per game as it has been surpassed in the past.

Curry's ascension throughout the NBA after serving as the NBPA was well chronicled by Whitlock.  June 21st of 2005, the NBPA agreed to the deal that just expired and a week later Curry stepped down as President.  A short time later, commissioner Stern named Curry the Vice President of Player Development for the NBDL.  As his ascension continued Curry would be named the NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations, and a year later assistant coach of the Detroit Piston and a year after that Head Coach of the Pistons despite little experience.  Curry is now the Associate Head Coach of the 76ers and perhaps positioned again to become a head coach.

This is relevant because Curry's ascension can be linked to an apparent link between Curry and David Stern.  If it's indeed true that Curry and Stern were linked when at a time they were supposed to be adversaries, could Derek Fisher be headed down the same road?  Is Derek Fisher selling out the players union for his own personal gain?  When negotiations broke last week, it was stated by Stern that there would be no more negotiations until the NBPA agreed to the 50/50 split of BRI but suddenly we had three days of meetings this past week.  According to Whitlock, there was a confrontation Friday morning between  Fisher, Billy Hunter, and another member of the executive committee based on the fact that Fisher has been "co-opted" by David Stern to deliver a deal of 50/50 to the owners.  Simply put there are major concerns about the relationship between David Stern and Derek Fisher with Billy Hunter being caught in the middle.

If Derek Fsher is truly working with Stern to deliver a 50/50 split behind the backs of the NBPA's executive committee then he has to be ousted a union President based on the fact that he is undercutting the union that pays him $2.6 million a year to be their president.  The NBPA's stance at this time is not to go below 52.5%  of BRI having already come down from 57%.  Each percentage point is worth $40 million and the owners are pushing for a ten year deal while the union would like to have a six year deal.  With that said the players have already agreed to give up $180 million per year for the duration of the potential deal, whether it be six or ten years, which equates to a substantial cut in pay because keep in mind that 90% of the players are making on average $5 million per year.  Fisher, a role player himself is throwing all of the other role players under the bus with his secret deal with Stern, again he needs to be ousted if the claims are true.

Derek Fisher & Billy Hunter

As David Stern spun the misinformed yesterday, he mentioned that upon hearing that the league's stance at a 50/50 split that Hunter ended the negotiations.  If Stern was counting on his improper relationship with Fisher to be his trump card, Hunter proved him wrong ending negotiations abruptly.  After yesterday's negotiations ended, no new negotiations are scheduled to take place, but we've heard this story before.  The owners want a BRI split of 50/50 and the NBPA wants a split of 52.5/47.5; this is where we are and before negotiations can start again Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter must bring their ideologies together and not just stand together at pressers.  The time is now to get this deal done but it has to be the right deal for both parties, no selling out, no me first mentality, this deal has to be done on good faith and not on undisclosed preconditions.  The players union must stay strong, must stay united because a union divided will usher in being conquered by David Stern and his minions.

Update:  Fisher responds to Whitlock's Claim

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Fisher's letter to the NBA Players in response to the Agent's letter

Guys,

I write to you from New York where we have had the most recent negotiating sessions, the latest one today. I wanted to keep everyone in the loop on the events of the past few days and since my last update.

Before I update you though, I must comment on a letter that has been brought to my attention and drafted by a handful of agents representing you. The letter which I personally read this morning is to their players and had planned to release this afternoon/evening. Your agents represent you, there's a loyalty there and I can appreciate that. I'll never question it, the work they do for you, or the decisions you and they make together. The letter however includes misinformation and unsupported theories.

As you would imagine, the agents are not aware of my seeing this ahead of its release. As a player myself, I know that each player should read everything we can. My emails, media reports, letters from their representation, to form an opinion on the situation. Educate yourself, ask questions, do it all. But not all of what you read is fact, you know this, I know this.

One issue I need to again be very clear on...nothing can be accepted without a vote by the players. If and when there is a proposal that we feel is in the best interests of us as players, each of you WILL have the opportunity to vote in person. It's in the union bylaws, it's not up for negotiation. You will have the

opportunity to see the full proposal before you agree, you will be able to challenge it, question it, anything you feel appropriate in order to know that this is the best deal for you and your fellow players.

As far as the negotiations, quite a few guys came out for the meeting on Friday. We met as a group first where we updated the players on the league and owner's position which I have briefed you on previously. Everyone in the room was in agreement, we have been more than fair in our proposals.

We then continued into the meeting with David Stern, Adam Silver and the Labor Negotiations Committee including: Jeanie Buss, Peter Holt, Clay Bennett, Jim Dolan, Larry Miller, Robert Sarver, Bob Vanderweide, Glen Taylor and Mickey Arison.

It was there that we discussed details of proposals and continued to reiterate our position on several key economic and system issues. At the conclusion of the day's meetings, yet again, it was agreed by the players present, we will continue to negotiate in good faith but what we have offered thus far is fair and reasonable.

Talks continued Saturday and again today in smaller groups.

Tomorrow, as you may have read, will be another larger negotiating session. Everyone in the regional meetings, Friday's player meeting, and throughout this process has been in support of the position the NBPA has taken. We go into tomorrow's meeting strong, remaining steadfast on the issues we will not be able to move away from. Anyone saying different is not privy to the meetings and is uninformed.

Keep the questions, comments and suggestions coming. Stand united.

Derek

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