Ben Gordon says the lockout could last two years

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:35:01 +0000

Ben Gordon says the lockout could last two years
Ever since the lockout became a reality, there have been predictions, reports, and implications that the NBA may not play a 2011-12 season. It’s a sad idea to contemplate, but one that has been taken seriously. For the most part, it’s been considered as a worst case scenario. But don’t tell that to Ben Gordon(notes), who thinks the lockout could last two whole seasons. From Vince Ellis for the Detroit Free Press (via EOB): He sat in on labor negotiations late last month that Gordon on Tuesday described as a “waste of time.” And the Pistons’ shooting guard thinks it’s only a matter of time before more games are canceled. “I think there will be more games missed,” Gordon said when reached by phone as he was driving to Chicago. “I expect it might be a year or two. I realized that when I was listening to both sides during the negotiations. I think there will be a lot of games missed and more money is going to go down the drain. “I’m preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.” Gordon doesn’t seem optimistic whatsoever about the direction of negotiations, which suggests one of three things. First, it’s entirely possible that he’s one of the few players being totally honest here, and that these meetings have been wholly unproductive. That seems wrong, though, mostly because several reports have come out that progress is being made on issues such as the mid-level exception. Those are relatively minor resolutions, but these problems must be solved to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. The second possibility is that Gordon just didn’t pay attention during negotiations. I will disregard this option for now, because I don’t want to be a mean person. Last, Gordon may be bluffing to force the owners into thinking that players may actually sacrifice two seasons to get the deal they want. If this is the case, then Gordon is perhaps the worst bluffer in history. Bluffing doesn’t work when the result itself is so extreme. No one will let the NBA miss two seasons, because it would maim fan interest, force players and owners to lose ridiculous amounts of money, and turn professional basketball into a minor sport. Suggesting that players would miss two seasons is the equivalent of a poker player betting all his chips on every hand. It’s just not believable. I sincerely hope that Gordon came up with this idea on his own, because if it’s a union strategy then it speaks very poorly of their leadership. It makes no sense at all. Related: NBA lockout

Shawn Marion is better at basketball than poker

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:18:10 +0000

Shawn Marion is better at basketball than poker
While the NBA’s biggest and brightest are sharing dinners and figuring out ways to make the most money while playing for the best teams, some of the league’s lesser lights are content to spend their millions. Some guys are doing things like buying houses and getting married on VH1, while others are wiling away the interminable offseason in a more old-fashioned way — playing poker. At least that’s how the Dallas Mavericks’ Shawn Marion(notes) is spending part of his $33 million deal.The main event of this year’s World Series of Poker kicked off on Monday, and rather than enjoying a steak the size of his face, Marion joined thousands of other schmucks trying to get their hands on the title and its accompanying cash prize. He lasted almost the entire first day. From Pokernews.com:On a flop of A-Spades / Q-Spades / 7-Clubs, Shawn Marion fired out 2,000 only to have the small blind check-raise to 7,000. [...]Marion eventually made the call to see the 5-Spades land on the turn and the small blind move all in for 17,950. Marion made the call for his last 7,800 and we were off to a showdown.Marion: A-Hearts / King-SpadesOpponent: 7-Diamonds / 7-HeartsWith Marion drawing dead, the meaningless 10-Diamonds landed on the river to send Marion to the rail.Tough break. I guess he will just have to enjoy playing expensive cash games against his millionaire teammates instead of getting the honor of sporting a gaudy gold bracelet. So it goes.At the very least, Marion seemed to have a good time, posting on his Twitter account, “Well it lasted til last 30min cash games and tournaments are completely different it was fun now I gotta Waite til next year it was fun [sic].”You know what they say, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And since none of those poker playing dogs are Shawn Marion, it’s a fitting saying. Let’s just hope he stays out of Gilbert Arenas’(notes) card games. Those never turn out well.

BDL Live Blog: ‘The Decision’ starring LeBron James
This is it. Three years of talk, speculation and every conceivable rumor known to man — remember when LeBron James(notes) was going to be a Laker? — and it all comes down to a one hour special on ESPN. Ridiculous as it is, it really couldn’t happen any other way.Join us after the jump, right before 9 p.m. ET, to talk all things LeBron, ESPN and where he’s ending up. Yeah, we’re liveblogging a TV show about a free agency signing that will take 15 seconds. Welcome to the LeBron James show, literally.<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5ea9c214e0" mce_href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5ea9c214e0" >BDL Liveblog – ‘The Decision’</a>

Twins end 4-game slide, beat Tigers 6-3 (AP)
The short-handed Minnesota Twins desperately needed to change things up before the All-Star break. They’d loss four straight games, including a pair to division-rival Detroit, and were missing two All-Stars to injury. Carl Pavano made sure to alter the status quo. He pitched well into the eighth inning Sunday, helping Minnesota win 6-3 and keep from falling further behind Detroit and the Chicago…

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Ben Gordon says the lockout could last two years

Shawn Marion is better at basketball than poker