The National Basketball Association Commissioner, David Stern, sat down for an interview with NBA.com’s David Aldridge late yesterday afternoon. The conversation was aired on national television, and helped to clear up some fog surrounding the lockout.
News appeared earlier this week stating that David Cohen, a federal mediator, would be appointed to help sides reach a deal. When asked about the federal mediator–who will attend meetings on Tuesday–Stern said that he was happy to have the mediator look at the situation and try to instigate faithful negotiations.
Although, the commissioner also stated that he felt the season was ultimately going to be lost. Stern made the implication that if a deal is not struck by next week, the entirety of the regular season would slip away; whether by small increments, larger portions, or all at once, is undefined.
Stern said this during the interview:
"“I think that the season is really going to potentially escape from us because we aren’t making any progress….”“How many times does it pay to keep meeting, and to have the same things thrown back at you? We’re ready to sit down and make a deal. I don’t believe that the union is. Hopefully by Tuesday, aided by the mediator, they’ll be ready to make a deal. Certainly I’ll bring my owners ready to make a deal.”"
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Broox Anderson
Lead Editor/Writer
The J Notes | A Utah Jazz Site
Twitter: @BrooxAnderson
Email: brxanderson@gmail.com
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