NBA Lockout 2011: Suits vs. Shorts, Part II: The Players' Perspective

Make no mistake about it: The last time the owners and union did the lockout tango back in 1998-99, the players made out like bandits. Executive director of the NBPA Billy Hunter decisively took it to David Stern and the owners in 1999’s CBA and the players received some amazing benefits.

For instance:

• The average salary of NBA players has risen to over $4.5 million, which is the highest in all professional sports.

• Players received 57 percent of all basketball-related income.

• Players were able to receive higher salaries from exceptions such as the Larry Bird exception, which was intended to reward players for staying with the team that drafted them by allowing those teams to offer them more money and more years without the salary directly impacting the “soft” salary cap.

• The sign-and-trade clause allowed players to still earn bigger salaries while switching teams.

Clearly, the players made bank from the CBA following the NBA’s last lockout while the owners obviously got the short end of the deal. As a result, the union realizes that the question this time around isn’t a matter of which side the new deal will favor, but rather how significantly the new CBA will favor the owners.

Consequently, the players are pushing for several items and willing to concede others in an effort to prevent the owners from completely taking them behind the woodshed and exacting revenge for the deal following the last lockout.

Their proposal includes:

• A $500 million pay cut over five years, which would result in the players’ B-RI being reduced from 57 percent to 54.7 percent. (The owners want a 50-50 split right from the start.)

• Reforming the league’s revenue-sharing system.

• No “hard” salary cap.

• An enhanced sign-and-trade clause so players with huge contracts will find it easier to switch teams.

• A willingness to alter certain exceptions, such as the Larry Bird exception and the mid-level exception.

• A five-year deal, rather than the 10-year deal the owners are pushing for.

• Reducing the age limit back to 18.

• Helping out with arena expenses.

So, that’s the players’ side of things in regards to the battle of suits versus shorts. In other words, get ready for a long lockout.

Stay tuned for Part III, where I finally choose my side and blame the other one.