In a way, you almost had to expect it.  Most players haven't lost any money and won't until after their November 1 paycheck. Owners don't lose any game revenue until November 2 and the National Labor Relations Board has yet to rule on the players' charge that owners have not been negotiating in good faith.

Still, the past week has been filled with hope that the season could be saved. But lengthy bargaining sessions failed to produce anything of note and Derek Fisher had this chilling comment after Tuesday's talks, "We've advised (players) they may have to sit out half the season before we get a deal."

There are no talks scheduled although David Stern said the two sides could talk by conference call Friday.

• No progress made after latest labor talk - AP
• No Progress in N.B.A. Labor Talks - Howard Beck - New York Times
  
• Lockout optimism punctured by terrible news from today’s meeting - Eric Freeman - Ball Don't Lie
• NBA Lockout: Don’t panic, they are posturing - Chris Sheridan - Sheridan Hoops
• Sources: NBA player agents angling to get players union to decertify - Chris Broussard & Henry Abbott
• Decertification rumbles growing as players face reality of lockout - Sam Amick - Sports Illustrated
• NBA union faces test of strength - Adrian Wojanarowski - Yahoo! Sports
  
• Kobe must be a leader during lockout - Stephen A. Smith - ESPN