They did it. They really did it. The NBA owners and players finally found a way to put aside their massive egos and make a compromise. Both sides walked away from the new collective bargaining agreement slightly disappointed, but ultimately relieved that an entire season wasn't wiped off the books.
The only way the owners could get everything they wanted from the players was to lose the whole season. They wanted everything and the kitchen sink. But the players couldn't live with giving away all the things they've worked for over the years.
But the players also knew that the current system was broken, and unless they made major concessions, the league couldn't survive.
So, both sides did the adult, mature thing. They stopped the name-calling (everything from "liars" to "plantation owners"), and found a way to split four billion dollars.
My question is, what took so long?
There was no need to drag this out for 149 days. I'm glad they finally made a deal, but the reputations and public images of both the owners and the players will be damaged for a long time.
The fans will eventually come back. But after being overloaded the last five months with luxury taxes, BRI, hard caps, and anti-trust lawsuits, I wouldn't blame them if they took a season off themselves.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's play some basketball!
