Around The League - Bill Walton passes from cancer at 71

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Wow. They have to do the expansion now don't' they? As if players salaries aren't bonkers as it is, just think what they're going to look like in 5-10 years. This money keeps being added and the amount of players to be paid remains the same and its a relatively small number of players due to each team really only 'paying' paying 3-4 players big money.

Have to add more teams to spread the money out and/or continue to tweak rules to spread the money to the middle class players even more (which the NBA already does a good job at vs other sports).

Players are having their cake and eating it, too. IMO I don't think the players fully understand their role in generating the money for the league. There doesn't seem to be "protect the shield" type mentality within the players association. Whether it was a huge reluctance on the bubble, load management, pushing players to honor their contracts, pushing back on suspensions for DV/assault/guns, handling of press and fans, etc. It is like they want to be treated as a full equity partner but not willing to pull their weight nor do they have the risk and responsibilities of owners.

[emunney]

Wow. They have to do the expansion now don't' they? As if players salaries aren't bonkers as it is, just think what they're going to look like in 5-10 years. This money keeps being added and the amount of players to be paid remains the same and its a relatively small number of players due to each team really only 'paying' paying 3-4 players big money.

Have to add more teams to spread the money out and/or continue to tweak rules to spread the money to the middle class players even more (which the NBA already does a good job at vs other sports).

Players are having their cake and eating it, too. IMO I don't think the players fully understand their role in generating the money for the league. There doesn't seem to be "protect the shield" type mentality within the players association. Whether it was a huge reluctance on the bubble, load management, pushing players to honor their contracts, pushing back on suspensions for DV/assault/guns, handling of press and fans, etc. It is like they want to be treated as a full equity partner but not willing to pull their weight nor do they have the risk and responsibilities of owners.

Sorry, but what? No risks or responsibilities? Players have put their whole lives into this game. They are the product and it is their actions that generate the billions of dollars in revenue, making the capital investors whole many times over. The owners risk some fraction of their fortune, and it's a risk in name only, as they never lose money. They even make the public subsidize their facilities. It's a **** racket.

[paulpressey25]

If TNT loses out to NBC it will suck. NBC will put a bunch of stuff on Peacock, and if you are traveling and wanting to watch in a hotel or bar, it will be tough.

[yb90]

Yeah it's looking like NBC may grab it from TNT. . Amazon is getting a package. ESPN/ABC is retaining rights. Barkley can opt out if TNT loses the NBA.

Sources continue to insist Comcast’s NBCUniversal will capture the third NBA package — and likely unveil a “Basketball Night in America’’ telecast — with its annual bid of $2.5B. Although details are still being massaged with nothing finalized, those sources believe there is little WBD CEO David Zaslav can do to overtake NBC unless he coughs up as much as $2.8B or more to overpay for the package. Or, according to the sources, unless he takes the league to court.

Reports surfaced last month that incumbent WBD exited its exclusive negotiating window with the league believing it could match any bid from NBC or the like, dollar for dollar. However, sources reiterated Wednesday that the NBA believes a dollar-for-dollar match is not enough, that NBC is an over-the-air network with multiple broadcast windows and an RSN infrastructure that WBD cannot replicate.

“NBC has made their bid, and they’re not budging,’’ a media industry source said. “So it’s over, right? And Warner Bros. is saying, ‘We’ll match it,’ and (Commissioner Adam Silver) is probably saying: ‘It’s not matched.’ ’’

…“There’s no mystery to this,” the source said. “It’s pretty blatant what’s happening. [WBD CEO] David Zaslav realizes he has to have this and doesn’t want to pay more than $2.5B. And Adam’s saying, honestly, it’s not matched at $2.5. And [Zaslav] goes, ‘Yes, it is,’ and they’re going back and forth.’ And so that’s where we are. How do you let [WBD] down? Is there a way? Or does Zaslav come up with more money? Because then it doesn’t have to be matching because David’s paid more.”

I had a feeling NBC would get it once I saw the Kevin Hart draftkings commercial using the NBA on NBC theme.

[KidA24]

If TNT loses out to NBC it will suck. NBC will put a bunch of stuff on Peacock, and if you are traveling and wanting to watch in a hotel or bar, it will be tough.

Watch on YouTube

[paulpressey25]

If TNT loses out to NBC it will suck. NBC will put a bunch of stuff on Peacock, and if you are traveling and wanting to watch in a hotel or bar, it will be tough.

Watch on YouTube

I wish the NBA would just give it all the TNT. No ESPN, NBC, ABC, etc.

[Licensed to Il]

If TNT loses out to NBC it will suck. NBC will put a bunch of stuff on Peacock, and if you are traveling and wanting to watch in a hotel or bar, it will be tough.

Watch on YouTube

Fantastic use of youtube.

[KidA24]

Unbeatable Celtics looking human again.

[soxperry]

Unbeatable Celtics looking human again.

They are a different team without KP. Still, i cant help but think we would walk all over them. Imagine playoff Dame and Khris but with Giannis in.

[Matches Malone]

Jrue making step back 3's with Mobley in his face. Milwaukee Jrue could never...

[KidA24]

Kornet looks like the cross between Frank Kaminski and Gordon Hayward

[MissKhriddleton]

That was one of the dumbest sideline reports I’ve ever heard.

[KidA24]

By every rule on the book this should be an offensive foul

[Plossum]

PJ Washington turning into prime big dog this series.

[KidA24]

That end of quarter running 3 by Giddey was so close to missing the backboard and maybe injuring a fan

[Baddy Chuck]

I get that they have time and assets for everybody still but OKC really needed to cash in some this deadline.

[blazza18]

That end of quarter running 3 by Giddey was so close to missing the backboard and maybe injuring a fan

He has no confidence at all. Series has been a bit of a reality check for him.

[MickeyDavis]

Suck it Kidd

[blazza18]

They almost blew it but what a super impressive fourth from OKC

[RiotPunch]

Watching Kidd, Cuban, Kyrie and Luka lose like that was pretty satisfying.