I need some basketball in my life. Baseball this season was pathetic on both sides. Lots of drama if you like that stuff. Football is not looking to good. I can wait till basketball starts, even pre-season. The whole issue is in jeopardy due to the labor dispute. I dont have much of an opinion only, get it done!!

Lets see what Steve Ashurner who has been writing on the NBA for 25 years has to say:

The owners' two main issues remain: the amount of money dedicated to player compensation, as dictated by the split of basketball-related income, and the salary-cap system in which it is delivered.

Significant changes to both are needed, Stern and Silver have said since negotiations began nearly two years ago, to stem what became a $300 million combined shortfall in 2010-11, consistent with the losses in each of the six years of the recently compled CBA. Twenty-two of the 30 franchises, the owners contend, were not profitable last season.

Also, there still are reports of factions within the owners' group. If the hard-liners simply aren't ready to make a deal now -- figuring they can squeeze the players for more concessions in the next one, two or three months (or longer) -- the meetings Friday, Saturday and beyond could be more talk-and-walk than make-or-break.