NBA Lockout: Why NBA Talks Should Have Been Secret from Start

At least the NBA Players Association and owners are getting one thing right this time. News broke by Yahoo! Sports that talks have resumed between the two sides, but this time secretly, as they should have been all along.

The constant coverage of the meetings was tiring and frustrating. Obviously, as a member of the media, I know it is my responsibility to bring that information forward, but the NBA should know this and put things in place to shield their fans from the ugly aspect of their business.

This is the latest "last-ditch" effort to save the NBA season. The fact that I used quotations around last-ditch shows how many times we've been held hostage by the abundance of reports from everyone claiming to have a source. Here is another one from Howard Beck of the NY Times, he tweeted:

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Update: if NBA can start games on Christmas, it will play a 66-game season, per source.

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This means, if this time the sides are actually able to get together, we're looking at an NBA season, minus 16 games. Ultimately, that isn't a bad deal for fans; it is certainly better than a combo rookie class and various other basketball abnormalities we'd be in store for with a canceled season.

I wish I didn't know as much about all of the meetings; it has been horrible public relations for the league. Every time some ray of optimism is mentioned, it was ultimately squashed by the reality of a lockout closing in on its 150th day. 

David Aldridge of ESPN cautions us with this tweet of clarification:

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2 sources confirm Yahoo story on players' lawsuit settlement talks starting. Not CBA talks; this has 2 happen first. Check Asch on NBA,con.

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This tells fans, yet again, don't get your hopes too high. There are many layers to this nasty monster; every time you think you slay it, it comes back for more.

I wish the NBA never let me know it so well.