by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
It’s widely believed that most NBA team owners are prepared to wipe out the 2011-’12 season if that’s what it takes to get a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that they want. Most players, though, have publicly expressed a desire for games to get started on schedule.
LaMarcus Aldridge looks at things with a long-term persective, and thinks that losing an entire season may be worth it (should that result in a favorable deal for the players.)
From the Oregonian:
Is there going to be a lockout? Uh … No matter what kind of audience Aldridge runs into these days, the L-word inevitably surfaces, and Tuesday was no exception. And after the Trail Blazers’ power forward finished signing autographs and posing for pictures at the camp, he acknowledged there does not appear to be an end in sight for the NBA lockout, which is approaching the conclusion of its second month. “No,” Aldridge said, when asked if there was reason for optimism. “Both sides are pretty (far) off right now. So it’s going to be a while.”
Aldridge, who is the Blazers’ player representative in the NBA Player’s Union, said he does not expect the season to start on time but does believe there will be a season eventually. That said, he is prepared to sit out all of 2011-12 if necessary. “If that’s what it takes to get a fair deal done, then yes,” Aldridge said.
Of course, most NBA players aren’t like LaMarcus Aldridge. He did, after all, sign a lucrative contract extension two seasons ago, and can probably afford to miss out on a few paychecks next year.
What remains to be seen is how many others will be able to stand strong until a deal deemed “fair” is agreed upon.
