It's not yet crunchtime.  The players get paid until November 1. Owners don't lose game revenue until November 2.  Still, three meetings in eight days, with the prospect of a fourth if things go well, can't be dismissed.  The two sides meet in Manhattan Thursday after talking for five and a half hours Wednesday. If things go well, a Friday session will be added.

Everyone (other than Roger Mason Jr.) is maintaining radio silence on the talks, but Ken Berger and Chris Sheridan read the tea leaves to suggest that some progress has already been made and David Stern seems willing to wait before canceling the opening of training camp, scheduled for October 1.  Not everyone is optimistic, however, with some questioning union leader Billy Hunter's strategy.

• Hush-hush labor meeting means there might be progress - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
• Lockout Update: Checks totaling $161 million being paid to players by NBA - Chris Sheridan - Sheridan Hoops
  
• Exclusive: NBA wants 3rd round in draft - Chris Sheridan - Sheridan Hoops
• With NBA labor talks dragging out, players calling for Billy Hunter to deliver - Sam Amick - Sports Illustrated
• Labor talks to continue Thursday, maybe Friday - Steve Aschburner - NBA.com
  
• Agents pushing for clear union strategy - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
• N.B.A. and Players Are Willing to Talk — Extensively - Howard Beck - New York Times