Chauncey Billups says players are “100 percent” united in labour dispute – NBA Update
New York Knicks point guard Chauncey Billups believes there is no question of disharmony within the players regarding the NBA labour dispute. The Knicks veteran revealed that the NBA players know what is at stake and are determined
to get the best possible deal in the negotiations.
The NBA players and owners have been embroiled in a long standing dispute over a new CBA. Since the old one expired, the league has locked the players out. With the lockout stretching into September and still showing no signs of
ending, many analysts believes there is a serious threat of a delay in the start of an NBA season for 2011-2012.
If that were to happen, NBA players stand to lose a lot of money. Questions are being raised over how the players union will tackle the issue and how players will react to missed pay checks. Some are saying that there could be
a parting of ways within the players, with some supporting the NBPA in continuing to negotiate while others favouring a decertification of the union in order to sue the NBA.
Billups, who is a veteran and has the respect of the NBA players’ community, does not believe that to be the case. In an interview given to ESPN, Billups revealed that the players will stand behind the union no matter what. He
said if things get tough, the NBA players are bound to stay united and face the consequences together.
"I think the guys are 100 percent unified," he said.
Billups said he doesn’t want the league start to be postponed but the players are not going to bow down in the dispute,
"Don't get me wrong -- nobody wants to miss a game. I don't think the owners do, and I know we don't. However, negotiations are negotiations and we're going to have to come to an agreement at some point. Hopefully, sooner rather
than later. But if not, we're in this fight for the long haul."
Chauncey also said that the players are prepared to go the distance and will be helping each other out in the time to come. Veteran players and super stars, such Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, have been actively talking
to players and convincing them to stand their ground.
Billups said senior players have even shown a willingness to help others out financially if the need be.
"He and others are prepared to loan money if necessary," Hunter said regarding Kobe.
With the players in such a defiant mood, a delay in the start of the season should come as no surprise to NBA fans, most of whom have already written off the training camps.
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