Issues to labor over

Sporting News, The, May 5, 2003 by Sean Deveney

It was just 4 1/2 years ago that NBA commissioner David Stern and players association chief Billy Hunter were on the receiving end of a dual public-relations bludgeoning. Essentially, the two figureheads were duking it out over how best to split more than $2 billion among 400 or so people, and the owners locked out the players because of the squabble. It's hard to get much sympathy from us working stiffs in that kind of battle.

Out of those dark days came the current collective bargaining agreement, and though the deal still has two years left (assuming the owners exercise their option), Stern and Hunter are not fools. They don't want another mess. So, to pre-empt problems, Stern and Hunter will hunker down in parts unknown sometime in the next few weeks and get started on their next collective bargaining agreement.

"We just want to begin opening the door to understanding each other, our concerns, and really focus on whether we can avoid the specter, in a year or two, of a lockout or a strike," Stern says.

Even with the luxury of plenty of time, Stern intends to do some real negotiating, and there's a possibility of a new deal getting done this year.

"We are going to try to put some pressure on ourselves because the issues are not going to change a lot," Stern says. "Nothing else makes a lot of sense. The lockout did not make sense. A strike would not make sense."

The talks will remain confidential, so exactly what issues are discussed will be unknown. But we have suggestions:

1. Create a real minor league. No doubt, the issue of setting a minimum age limit for players will be on the table, but fundamental to that issue is strengthening the NBA's developmental league, the NBDL. The junior league's current incarnation, with all the players low-level free agents, needs to be reworked. Teams should be able to send young players to the minors and recall them as needed. That could mean a farm team for every organization. There are many logistical obstacles--how to pay for such an arrangement is first on that list--but the idea needs to be explored.

2. Shake up the schedule. This includes realignment. There will be 30 teams in the NBA when Charlotte enters the league in 2004, setting up the opportunity to go to six divisions of five teams. That will provide the opportunity to shorten the seemingly eternal regular season, which is where the union's input becomes a factor.

3. Pass an Arenas role. When second-round picks become stars quickly, their teams get caught in a loophole. This is the predicament Golden State is in with Gilbert Arenas. The league should allow teams a salary-cap exception to sign a second-round pick to an extension after his second year.

4. Soften the tax. The luxury tax has worked--too well. It has forced financial restraint, but it also has limited player movement severely, and it has encouraged teams to be cheap in order to land a tax rebate. The league should dump the rebates and modify the tax. As it stands, teams pay one dollar for each dollar they exceed the threshold. The tax should be staggered so teams near the threshold pay a smaller percentage--say, 25 cents on the dollar. That would soften the blow without removing the teeth of the tax idea.

5. One dissolution per year. OK, the union never will give in on this, but think about how the league would improve if teams were allowed to dissolve one contract per season, and that includes taking it off the books. NBA contracts are guaranteed, and that won't change, except for that one overpaid, pine-riding deadbeat per team.

Is Amare Stoudemire really better than Yao Ming? Who cares? He made the playoffs, and you can, too, with Playoff Fantasy Hoops at http://fantasygames. sportingnews.com/hoops.

SPEED READ

* So, what'd you think of that Kings game? Didn't see it? Net surprised, because the league and the TV networks have buried Sacramento in the scheduling. Sure, the Kings are playing Utah, and the fear of boring games scares off television decisionmakers. But the Kings should be one of the league's showcase teams. It's not much of a showcase at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night.

INSIDE DISH

Because the Spurs were eager to get under the cap and because of injury concerns, the team did not pick up the option on PG Speedy Claxton's contract, meaning he will be a free agent this summer. Claxton played well late in the regular season and has continued making contributions in the playoffs, providing important relief (10 points, seven assists) for PG Tony Parker in a Game 2 win against the Suns. He still could return, but if the Spurs bring in Nets PG Jason Kidd this summer, Claxton will be looking for work.... Pacers SF Al Harrington has not taken kindly to his minutes being slashed. Harrington was 1-for-8 in the Pacers' Game 1 loss to the Celtics, and coach Isiah Thomas seems to have not forgiven him. Harrington played 15 minutes combined in Games 2 and 3. Thomas has gone with SF Austin Croshere and SG Ron Mercer.... Sighs of relief came from Denver and Cleveland when G/F LeBron James formally announced his intention to enter the draft last week because James also said, "Whatever team decides to pick me on June 26, 2003, I won't let them down." There had been speculation that James, the expected No. 1 pick, did not want to play in Denver and was bitter enough over the Cavaliers' firing of coach John Lucas that he might hold out or demand a trade. Cheek back after the lottery.... Sonics second-year PG Joseph Forte appears on track for an early exit from the league. After feuding with teammates and management while playing sparingly this year, he was arrested last weekend on charges of marijuana and firearms possession. It's doubtful the team will pick up his option after next season. To think, the Celtics passed on Parker to take Forte.--S.D.