Charles Barkley not optimistic about the next NBA season – NBA Lockout Update
Charles Barkley has revealed in an interview if the players and NBA owners agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in time to save next season, he would be very surprised. Barkley has also previously voiced his pessimism
about the NBA labour dispute situation and his views have not changed since.
Charles Barley is a respected TV analyst who is known for his straightforward comments and colourful personality. Before that Barkley was a legendary forward for many teams in the NBA. He has a great insight on the game and also
on the mentality of the players in the lockout because he was there when the last time a lockout ensued. Barkley recalls that games were lost back then, but the season was saved.
This time around things are looking bleaker. The NBA owners are determined to completely overhaul the financial system in the league so that it favours them overwhelmingly and ensures massive profits. NBA Commissioner David Stern
has put forward proposals to the players that will drastically cut down their salaries and benefits after claiming that the league lost around $300 million just last year.
The National Basketball Players Association on the other hand is of the view that the players are not responsible for losses incurred. They are still willing to bring their share in the BRI down from 57 to 54 percent but have refused
to agree to the league’s proposals that would cost them around $7.6 billion over the length of the new CBA.
The league has already filed a lawsuit against the union and the players are thinking about taking a similar step against the NBA. In such circumstances it is easy to understand Barkley’s unenthusiastic approach.
"I'm saying, best-case scenario if everything went perfect, they would start the season in January," Barkley said. "But I'm still going to stay on the record and say they're not going to get to play at all next year.”
He also stated that it would be a huge mistake on the part of the NBA if they decide to keep the players locked out next year. Sir Charles believes a lot of goodwill and fans gained last season would be lost as a result that particular
course of action.
"In my honest opinion, I hope they don't s***w up the momentum of last year. It was a great year for the NBA. Even if some of the attention was negative, because of the Heat, it was nice to see Dirk (Nowitzki) and Jason Kidd get
their rings."
NBA fans around the world are hoping that David Stern and the players can only see common sense and come to a compromise before it is too late.
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