Jason Terry sure that the players will not break ranks in face of lockout pressure – NBA Update
Dallas Mavericks veteran guard Jason Terry believes the NBA players are united in their struggle in the ongoing labour dispute. He ruled out any possibility that the players could succumb to the pressure and break ranks over their
stance, saying the players are in good shape and will stand together no matter what happens.
Terry, who had a terrific season with the Dallas Mavericks where he played a pivotal role in helping them win the first NBA World Championship in the franchise’s history, was speaking in an interview. During the interview he discussed
a few things but was fully confident regarding this matter.
Terry is in the know regarding the NBA labour negotiations. As a team representative to the players union for the Dallas Mavericks, Terry has even taken part in some negotiating sessions earlier. During this month there were two
back to back meetings followed by one last Tuesday that has cast a spell of gloom over the scenario.
Jason was not present himself in the meetings but he is briefed about the situation regularly. A bitter dispute regarding the salary cap surfaced after the last meeting between NBA owners and the players union. That has cast serious
doubts over the start of the season.
In turn, many people are now questioning the resolve of NBA players to stay firm in their stance once games are lost. Players will start missing out on salaries in November and the financial implications could put a severe strain
on them.
Terry though dismissed the notion during the interview. He said no such thing will take place simply because the players saw this coming. They had been warned in advance by the union and most have saved up, so they can take the
financial hit.
"I'm very confident in that, and the only reason I say that is because for the last two-and-a-half, three years, we've foreseen this coming and so guys have really prepared themselves financially to be stable," Terry said while
talking to ESPNDallas.
The union issued a letter early in the lockout that urged NBA players to seek part time employment overseas. Many NBA players have heeded the advice and are heading to Europe or elsewhere. Deron Williams, of the New Jersey Nets,
and J.R. Smith, of the Denver Nuggets, are some of the bigger names to have agreed deals with foreign teams already.
Jason pointed to this as proof that the players are ready and in good shape in case the lockout persists past November.
"Also, as you've seen, certain guys for whatever reason, financially, or because they want to continue to play, have taken the route in going overseas. I believe the masses of players are ready and financially stable enough to
go as long as they need before this deal gets done."
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