Comments on: It was players’ idea to decertify, but did they really understand?

By: semperfiguy1011

semperfiguy1011 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:56:31 +0000

The players have really stepped in it this time. They are going to wish they had taken the 50% when all is said and done. They can’t win the PR battle, and from everything I’ve heard, they can’t win in the courts either. Now, there is nothing to keep the hardline owners form going for the jugular. NBA players, this is what you aksed for, so get ready!

By: cosanostra71

cosanostra71 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:31:43 +0000

The idea came from Jeffrey Kessler. Anyone who followed the NFL lockout knows this too. The moment the players hired him, you had to see it coming. Kessler does not care about resolving this dispute, he cares about making money (he makes more money every day the lockout goes on, and he makes more money by going to court) and making a name for himself. He tried to eliminate the draft in the NFL, you watch, pretty soon we’re going to see him do some ridiculous things in this dispute as well. Kessler is the reason why people don’t like lawyers. Even the NFL players came out of their lockout disliking the guy and he was supposedly representing them.

By: yournuts

yournuts — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:11:02 +0000

I don’t think the players have earned any respect! In fact I think they lost respect to 80% of the public. It has nothing to do with David versus Goliath or peasant versus noble. Since when did David or the peasants earn this kind of money? Keep telling yourself this, it’s no wonder why the fans can’t stand the players or the NBAPA! Actually the fans will stand behind the owners. I see that the players think they are bigger than the league and that is not true. The league made the players what they are today. Without the league the players are nothing but a bunch of really tall guys. I am sorry that you think your bigger than you are but you are replaceable, all products are.

By: giselleisasucubus

giselleisasucubus — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:13:52 +0000

lets just put it out there- the players have NO CLUE. none. It was the same in the NFL, but they came to their senses when they realized they werent going to be getting game checks. To think these guys understand the process they are going through is just ridiculous. The owners won. End of story. Many owners HATED the deal that Stern presented, but he did it because the majority of owners didnt want to lose a full season. Think about this- who has more to lose? All the owners are very wealthy & have other businesses, but what about the players? What about a 2nd rd pick who is making 800k and has 1mil in bills? Dumb. The owners won by a landslide. Take the surprising 50% and start the damn season.

By: worldbfree4me

worldbfree4me — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:11:02 +0000

And just because more than few clowns have blown their cash, Black players and White players alike, give the majority a little credit. They did not make it this far by pure luck and athletic gifts alone. These guys, collectively can hire the best minds to help them think about this business is a rational way. Granted, the league can run circles around the players on their own turf, this story reminds me of “David against Goliath” the “Peasants vs Noble” and I love it. Yeah, ultimately the players will lose more than the Owners ever will, but the players have earned the respect of most of the fans for standing up to these greedy Mo-Fo’s! Shalom

By: giselleisasucubus

giselleisasucubus — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:08:11 +0000

they play basketball. I dont give a damn if it a business or not, it is still just a game for entertainment. Now they take it away from the fans who lined their pockets. Dont defend the players, you sound ignorant.

By: dolfan66r

dolfan66r — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:05:01 +0000

C’mon man. Nobody really cares about the NBA regular season anyway. These players are believing they matter in the collective american conscience. They don’t and neither do the 72 or so meaningless games. They over value their own worth. The average sports fan want more NFL and even less NBA. They should take what they can get and be happy with it. Quoting Malcolm X has no relevance here. This is not the NFL

By: worldbfree4me

worldbfree4me — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:58:36 +0000

Obviously the players realize this is money that will be lost and possibly they won’t get back. But this move is a clear shot across the bow of the Owners listing ship. “We already have taken a loss, and now so will you!” If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything ~ Malcom X

By: dkhhuey

dkhhuey — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:51:36 +0000

All the money coming in has officially stopped. No more paychecks and no more endorsement cash. The vast majority of athletes have no clue what financial planning is and haven’t taken one step in securing the necessary investment vehicle required to sustain a life post play. Most of them have pissed their cash away on trips, houses, cars, women, posses, parties, jewelery, etc., etc., etc. The very very cold slap of reality will be hitting them quite soon and they will realize they erred BIG TIME by turning down this contract. The fact that these greedy employees thought they deserved 50% of the team revenue astounds me, but the fact that stood firm in their ego based reality that they deserved even more is just plan jaw dropping. Enjoy your fall into poverty boys because guess what – now that you’ve de-certified and the season is over – your contracts will all be cancelled. The owners will bring in new players for half the cash!

By: skids003

skids003 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:45:34 +0000

No, they don’t understand. They think they are much more important than they are. From Garnett using his “stare” to letting their agents do this, it’s obvious they don’t understand what they’ve done. All they’ve done is take money (lots of it) out of their own pockets.

By: furedmccombs

furedmccombs — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:28:33 +0000

From what I’ve heard…this could have been the biggest error on the Player’s side yet. There are rumors that with decertification the Owners will be able to void every last contract, and I have a feeling that while there will be some that are against it; there are so many horrible contracts in the NBA that most of the owners will go along with this tactic. Union just shot itself in the foot.

By: yournuts

yournuts — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:55:53 +0000

This is a serious mistake on the players side. They can’t win the PR battle or the ownership battle either. Whomever is giving them advise has seriously miscalculated the power the league has and with no paychecks who is the party that gets hurt the most? Stupid is as stupid does.