NBA Lockout: Latest Update from Negotiations Has Start of Season in Doubt

Any glimmer of hope for a full NBA season appears to be fading away right now, as owners and players reportedly have to make significant progress in labor negotiations in order to start the season on the scheduled date of Nov. 1.

If the season doesn't start on time, commissioner David Stern has not ruled out the possibility of a full season by extending the end date.

Said Stern Tuesday, via ESPN, "As we said to the players, everything is negotiable."

Union president Derek Fisher has tabbed Tuesday as "being a very huge day."

Just how big a day it will be depends on if the two sides can set aside their differences and do whatever's necessary to come to an agreement.

UPDATE: A bit of advice. If you're searching for the truth of the NBA lockout, don't go to Ron Artest's Twitter page.

However, if you're looking for some laughs, head over there RIGHT NOW. Artest is hitting us with everything he's got today. He must still believe he's on his comedy tour.

Here are some of the gems from Metta World Peace today:

Artest sure seems happy about playing for the Lakers:

That's right, RonArtest.com will give you all the lockout news that isn't true:

The lockout also brought up some childhood nightmares for Artest:

And, look, he's already touting his new jersey:

Ron Artest, the world salutes you.

UPDATE: Interesting takes on the way negotiations are going so far. Andrew Brandt, president of National Football Post and NFL Business Analyst for ESPN, appears to think Stern is the main culprit in talks:

 In fact, it appears Brandt believes Stern isn't doing much negotiating at all:

However, the problem with extending the season to a later date is that it interferes with the schedules of the NBA's TV partners. Most likely, starting the season after Nov. 1 would lead to a shortened season.

Of course, a shortened season brings up a whole new range of issues. It not only cuts into ticket and corporate sponsorship revenues that the owners and players share, it also would affect TV revenues.

In addition, a lockout always has the chance of hurting the league's popularity and creating unrest among fans and sponsors.

When the San Antonio Spurs won the championship in a shortened season in 1999, Shaquille O'Neal said at the time that it should be marked with an asterisk.

Here's to hoping this season isn't marked with an asterisk.