OT: New CBA Questions.

[QuantumMacgyver]

With the troublesome negotiations and risk of another lockout next summer, I was wondering if anyone on here knows much about the CBA. For instance what are the differences between the proposed Hard Cap and the Salary Cap we have now? And how does a Hard Cap influence Mid-Level Exceptions, Bird Clauses, etc.?

[Neon Black]

Seriously, if players are going to complain about receiving multi-million dollar salaries in a recession, LET them refuse to play. They will be the first ones to break when faced with the prospect of getting real jobs and living real lives.

[StocktonShorts]

Seriously, if players are going to complain about receiving multi-million dollar salaries in a recession, LET them refuse to play. They will be the first ones to break when faced with the prospect of getting real jobs and living real lives.

But we're fine with the mega-millionaire and billionaire owners maintaining or increasing their profits during the recession?

Make no mistake, this isn't about taking more or less money from the fans; this is all about how the owners and players split up the (now smaller) pie. Personally I'd rather the players keep more of the money.

[QuantumMacgyver]

While I agree it is ridiculous to split hairs over the difference of 15 million and 18 million when there are records setting numbers of jobless in America, I agree with HappyProle. If the players are the ones creating the revenue they should also be allowed to voice their opinions and complaints there-in. My biggest concern is that Basketball may go the way of Baseball and Football and lift salary caps all together. If that happens then small market teams like Utah will stand less chance of ever being an elite team. Goodbye competition, Hello NBA Yankees.

[DelaneyRudd]

Consumer prices are set by the market, not the demands of the contractors.

As long neither side doesn't use the media to manipulate fans into taking sides with emotional arguments they can haggle over their business issues.

As far as a hard cap goes, that means teams will not be able to sign their own players if it means going over the salary cap amount. It would mean more player movement, which sometimes works out in your favor and sometimes against. I wouldn't think a hard cap is feasible without fewer contract guarantees, and in turn large signing bonuses.

[kebutah]

My big desire for a future negotiation would be to limit the years of a contract and reduce the guaranteed amount. This would preclude events like the Marbury situation where the team was forced to pay a ridiculous contract for non-performance. In other industries when you don't fit in or perform you are gone with no money.

[Lava Rock Kid]

I am for a hard cap. Our team cant pay what LA does. Their needs to be something equaling the table. The fine just makes it harder on us, I also want teams to have to pay for players like starbury if they sign him. If you got an opt out of bad contracts and no salary cap. All you need is a good location that players want to go, then throw out all the money in the world and if it doesnt work out than cut that player.

[JDubJazz]

The players have every right to try and get everything they can. That being said though, the league would be healthier with a more equitable distribution of revenue between all teams (similar to the NFL model) and shorter contract guarantees. Take, for example, the New York Knicks, who should be one of the premier NBA franchises: Long term guaranteed contracts have literally destroyed that team to the point of them being near expansion caliber. If there had been a hard cap and 3 year max guarantees, it would have limited the damage Isaiah could have done. They would be well on their way back to normalcy.

[DelaneyRudd]

My big desire for a future negotiation would be to limit the years of a contract and reduce the guaranteed amount. This would preclude events like the Marbury situation where the team was forced to pay a ridiculous contract for non-performance. In other industries when you don't fit in or perform you are gone with no money.

Actually in other industries you have to pay for non-performance when a contractor is crummy but follows the minimums of the contractual agreement. Players aren't employees. They are contractors.

[kebutah]

My big desire for a future negotiation would be to limit the years of a contract and reduce the guaranteed amount. This would preclude events like the Marbury situation where the team was forced to pay a ridiculous contract for non-performance. In other industries when you don't fit in or perform you are gone with no money.

Actually in other industries you have to pay for non-performance when a contractor is crummy but follows the minimums of the contractual agreement. Players aren't employees. They are contractors.

In my job we terminate subcontracts for non performance but it is based on the minimum requirements listed in the contract. The key is what is written in the contract. Our professional employees all have signed contracts. In fact it easier to terminate a subcontract than to fire an employee. However, I believe that when you have a union and a CBA that is more indicative of an employer/employee relationship.

[drivewayball]

I can't speak for other franchise cities, but the Miami gym is very sparcely attended for Heat games. Prices are just too high. It's time to take a step back and put a pay scale in place for both players and coaches.

A wage scale for first round draft choices is in place. Just extend the concept to the entire roster. Cap player salaries at $10 million with maybe a three year max.

[Fido]

Its hard to say that the problem is how the teams and league split up the money. According to Stern's latest report the league has lost several hundred million dollars in previous years and now this year it is up to $400 million dollars. Sure teams like the Knicks and Lakers do very well--but teams like Detroit are losing money hand over fist due to the economy. When a program has continued to operate in the red, there are problems--and while a hard cap may not be the answer, something definitely has to give. The NFL system seems to work fairly well--where contracts are not guaranteed but signing bonuses are. If you need to get under the cap, you can restructure contracts or release players that aren't playing up to their contract without further penalty. Even then though, it is essentially creating a portion of the contract that is guaranteed and leaving a portion non-guaranteed.

[Matt007b]

I'm for a hard cap just like the NFL...players in the NFL do not change teams all the time, fact it's pretty well set in the NFL..only if we had NFL type officiating..... if you look at the numbers the lakers are spending it's insane how much more they spend than the Jazz and they get away with it with Kobe merchandise sales, who cares if they're over? And what's the penalty? There isn't..they keep winning. The last few years we've been unable to trade or sign because of our cap situation, to rely on a car business to sign Paul Milsap... yet the lakers can go out and get Artest and stay over the cap.

I'm also for shuttin the sucker down.. if the owners and players are bickering over the millions they can 'shut er' down'! I'd love to see the NBA fall flat on it's face. (I know...Mr. grinch)

Other points in a screwed up system, players like Tracy Mcgrady or that New york player (can't think of his name who sat a good season earning mass $$$) who are sent home not because of injury but just can't get along with the coach or team should not be collecting a paycheck doing nothing. Another goofy thing in the NBA...trading players who haven't retired yet but are included in wacko trades (keith van horn for example...3 years no basketball and he was still being traded and collecting $$$..good for him, unfair to others.)

Anyway.. if a lockout does happen I'd like to see Stern cry on national TV. I know i'm evil.