The NBA talks broke at around 1:30 p.m. ET Wednesday in deference to the Jewish holiday and are scheduled to resume Friday with up to 15 owners and some of the game's biggest stars present, according to writers covering the talks in New York. No breakthroughs were reported.
Derek Fisher said there wasn't any common ground reached so far, but desire to get there does exist. Responsibility is to work at it, so they will." Among the players expected for Friday's session are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.
David Stern, however, offered a much more dramatic assessment, saying the whole season, not just the start, hangs in the balance this weekend, "There are enormous consequences at play here. There will be a lot at risk in the absence of progress ...Let's get the two committees in and see whether they can either have a season or not ... That's what's at risk."
Earlier, as reporters converged on Billy Hunter, an angry fan rolled up, pounded his fist on his door panel, and shouted, "We want basketball! Stop the playing and get it done!" Then, he motored on.
- NBA lockout heads to key stretch this weekend - Brian Mahoney - AP
-
Stern aims to close out labor win - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
- Efforts to save season reach 'key moment' - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
- Owners, players to meet Friday, possibly over weekend - Marc Stein, Chris Broussard & Ric Bucher - ESPN
- NBA labor talks reach the Tupac phase - J.A. Adande - ESPN
-
David Stern's scary talk - Henry Abbott - True Hoop
- After Brief Session, N.B.A. and Union Will Met Again Wednesday - Howard Beck - New York Times
-
Ex-Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy warns that fans won't rush back to NBA - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Kobe Bryant, LeBron James called to NBPA meeting on Friday - Sam Amick - Sports Illustrated
- One group of owners holds key to salvaging NBA season - Michael Rosenberg - Sports Illustrated
- Stern's warning of 'enormous consequences' could change mindset of players and owners - Sean Deveney - Sporting News
- Mega-pressure is on in NBA lockout - Sam Amico - FOX Sports
- NBA Lockout Update: A Tasty Tidbit - Chris Sheridan - Sheridan Hoops