NEW YORK (AP) — They don’t have a deal yet, and they are just about out of time.
That’s about all NBA players and owners agree on, but now they have to figure everything else out quickly.
Without at least getting very close to the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement this weekend, hopes of the 2011-12 season starting on time would be all but lost.
Players’ association president Derek Fisher says they realize “the calendar, the clock, the watch, whatever you want to say, is running out in terms of starting our regular season on time.”
The owners’ labor relations committee and the union’s executive committee — perhaps joined by some All-Stars — will meet Friday. Both sides are committed to keep talking throughout the weekend.