Last NBA lockout ended: 13 years ago tomorrow
Bored with the Jazz? Tired of lackluster play? Bothered by the injuries?
Wait ’til next year.
You’ll probably be watching “I Love Lucy” reruns.
The deadline for a labor agreement between NBA players and owners is coming this summer and indications are that nothing will be resolved before then. Owners appear determined to force the lockout in order to reduce salaries, while players insist the money is there — despite the weak economy.
But the strangest development lately is what some of the players plan to do. Ron Artest told NBA Fanhouse that he might start training for football, move into boxing or even play in the CFL if there’s a lockout.
“If I don’t make the (NFL) team, I might try the CFL, but it depends what other opportunities are coming up,” he said.
Earth to Artest: They make $50,000-$100,000 a year in the CFL. YOU MAKE $6 MILLION!
Fifty-thousand is better than zippo, but the story illustrates the unreality of players, who seem to think there’s more where that came from. It’s true that some — such as Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki — could play in Europe. The money is certainly better than the CFL but not as good as the NBA. But there’s another reason most NBA players don’t go to Europe: they aren’t a big deal over there. They rank behind soccer players, skiers and maybe other athletes.
In any case, this time, the owners are serious. If Larry H. Miller was to be believed, he often said NBA teams aren’t usually moneymakers. They’re a toy, an ego boost or a community gift from the ownership.
If you want to make money, go into dry cleaning.
Last time there was a lockout (1998-99) they didn’t start playing games again until Feb. 5, 13 years ago tomorrow.
I say plan on watching reruns, at least until this time next season.
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As long as we’re talking lockouts, here’s a link to a column I wrote last time a lockout happened: