While many pundits and prognosticators of the NBA lockout will point out that the players have conceded on almost every single request that the owners have tugged out of them, one issue still remains. The share of basketball-related income. Yes, the players have come down from their 57% share to what seems to be a more manageable number of 52% (and maybe even 51%) for the owners to use to make profits, the owners have made it clear that they are out for blood. The owners will try and suck the blood out of the players for every drop that they can, until they believe they have the best deal possible.
Many of the Houston Rockets' players have largely been quiet about this matter, but Kevin Martin has let the people know that he's had enough and he's ready to play.
Per SI's Sam Amick, Kevin Martin says that it's time for players to accept the proposal and get back to work:
"If you know for sure [the owners] are not moving, then you take the best deal possible," Martin wrote in a text message to SI.com. "We are risking losing 20 to 25 percent of missed games that we'll never get back, all over 2 percent [of basketball-related income] over an eight- to 10-year period [of the eventual collective bargaining agreement]. And let's be honest: 60 to 70 percent of players won't even be in the league when the next CBA comes around." -- Houston Rockets Guard Kevin Martin
While its an interesting perspective to take, the fact that the majority of the players suffering from lost wages from the lockout, many will not even be in the league in the next 2-3 years...much less the next lockout. The players will give the perspective that they're acting as stewards for the next generation to thrive and prosper in the new CBA, yet what good is that new CBA (which will not be as good as the current one) when players aren't getting checks?
Its the conundrum of the players' union....even when you win, you've still lost.
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