NBA Lockout: 5 Reasons the Season Is Doomed
The NBA lockout will continue despite Thursday's talks between players and owners.
With training camps and preseason already canceled weeks ago, an 82-game season seems highly unlikely and there is no guarantee that we'll witness any NBA basketball this fall.
In fact, both sides are so far apart that it seems more likely that the 2011-12 season won't take place at all.
After lengthy CBA discussions this week once again ended without solution, here are five reasons why the season is doomed:
No. 1: Sides Are Too Far Apart
The magic number is 50 percent, that's what the owners want when it comes to the share of basketball-related income (BRI).
The players have lowered from the original 57 percent, but have thus far refused to meet at 50-50, according to a report by ESPN's J.A. Adande.
No. 2: Players Can Afford to Wait It Out
The players, like the owners, have been anticipating this moment for a few years now, and most of the league's superstars have built up enough savings to survive a hiatus.
The owners are hoping the lack of paychecks pressure the players to settle on a deal, but unlike the NFL's situation this past summer, the NBA players are financially prepared.
No. 3: Too Much at Stake
There are a lot more issues on the table then just the share of BRI.
Players risk losing guarantees, control over contract lengths and annual increases if they succumb to the owners' pressure.
No. 4: Owners Won't Budge
The owners are set on a 50-50 revenue split at this point and that doesn't look to change anytime soon.
As Adande reports, the owners are using the 50-50 share of the BRI proposal to gain support from the NBA fans who believe that's an even share.
No. 5: Europe and World Tours
Unlike American football players, NBA players can take their talents elsewhere, to other places where their sport is played professionally and at a high level.
League superstars have made it known that they would consider crossing the pond to play basketball, or come together to tour across the nation as basketball mercenaries.
A 50-game season sounds great right about now.
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke
