Sometimes something's, a real cool hand...

Everyone’s least favourite bulldog, Derek Fisher, is involved in more drama, this time his opponent is fellow Lakers teammate, Steve Blake.  Blake is doing his bestBraveheart impression, and trying to rally the players to push for a vote on the ultimatum offer presented by SternCo. , however Fisher and other union representatives are not satisfied with the offer and would rather call the owner’s bluff than bring it to a vote.  This ultimatum offer is having one of its desired effects and shaking the union’s solidarity.   

The question floating around the internets is ‘why did Stern drop this power move so early into the lockout as there is still plenty of time before the season has to be cancelled?’.  The answer is simple, dissention in the ranks is not limited to just the players.  Mid-market teams feel they have received the short-end of the stick for awhile now, and some hardline owners are willing to lose a season if it means restructuring the system to a more mid-market friendly.  They want the players to reject the current offer, and it appears they only agreed to this offer if a ‘self destruct’ mechanism was implemented - this of it as Congress adding something ludicrous to a Bill before passing it .  Stern works for the NBA, but more accurately he works for the NBA owners.  To appease the myriad of owners they offered a deal which was only good for big market owners, and only good for mid market owners if accepted immediately.  Hardliners would only go along with the current deal if it meant basketball was in business shortly. The 72-hour deadline was Stern's diplomatic solution.  We have just passed Amber, and are now in full blown Red Alert.  The threat is real, the danger is real, this is the best offer the players will see.  I for one am scared, and I still don’t even have a girlfriend.  Luckily, drinking calms my nerves…

Tonight’s Games (5)

HOU @ IND/ OKC @ NYK/ PHO @ MEM/ UTA @ MIA (Jack and coke): I know how those people felt during the Cuban Missile Crisis, futilely hiding in bombshelters, basements, and even under tables.  Jack and coke, my old standby is about the only thing that can calm me down right now. 

LAC @ CHI* (Crystal Head Vodka): Missing this game takes me from nervous to angry.  Sipping on Dan Aykroyd’s skull head vodka cause it’s appropriate with NBAamageddon around the corner.