For all you fellow basketball junkies out there the NBA will not start on time this year, and in fact is in threat of not getting started at all!

The players association and the owners are struggling to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and this messy lockout will force, at best, a late start to proceedings.

My thoughts on it are simple and can be summed up by this (I’ve read plenty on the issue) – Kobe Bryant has more money than Jerry Buss who owns the LA Lakers! Kobe Bryant also flies his private helicopter to get to training sessions to avoid the mad LA peak hour traffic!

Is it possible that maybe these guys are getting paid a little too much? Last time I checked if I try and charge too much for my services I don’t get the work. How can one ask for more money than is physically in the kitty?

No one blames the players and the agents for getting market value and top dollar but it has got totally out of hand and now needs to be scaled back!

Superstars are essential to all sports with their ability to attract sponsors and TV ratings. They should be rewarded handsomely, no one would question that. But now it comes down to ‘Does it really matter if I retire with 200 million as opposed to 230 million?'

If they were as passionate about the game as they were the cash they would have agreed to a new CBA by now and the season would be due to tip off in October.  Right now nobody gets paid, nobody gets to watch and Kobe’s helicopter is being used solely for entertaining Charlie Sheen and his plethora of female bi-sexual porn stars! Poor bugger.

Harry Kewell just got snapped up by the Melbourne Victory in an announcement that gave every soccer fan in this country a massive woody (including the females) and will also give the sport a much needed shot in the arm.

This would be similar to Andrew Bogut coming home to play in our NBL. The deal doesn’t have a price tag but is believed to involve a base salary plus a cut of any revenue he brings to the club in terms of memberships, jersey sales and sponsorships.

This is fantastic but will it come at a cost?

It is estimated he will kick off with a cool $1.5 million and it is the biggest contract ever issued in Oz across all footy codes. Let’s hope all parties know what they are doing and soccer fans in a few years don’t have to endure one of these crazy lockouts.
 
The Brisbane Lions showed some fight and spirit against the flag favourites Collingwood (boo) on the weekend and it was fascinating listening to both coaches post game comments.

Twelve months ago if the Pies had of beaten the Lions by two goals Mick Malthouse would have been wrapped and Vossy gutted. On the weekend Malthouse was spewing with the win saying there will be ‘nervous’ players for next week.

Vossy was elated to get so close! They say a week is a long time in footy so I guess 12 months is an eternity. It would seem one of these clubs has been better at list management over the years or put simple – Collingwood didn’t draft Fevola!

This weeks winners

Harry Kewell; Go buy some more Italian suits.
Kangaroos; Smashed Freo to keep finals hopes alive.
Sydney Swans; Great last quarter to stay in the 8.
Melbourne Storm; Letting their footy do the talking after a year of turmoil.
Djokovic; 10 titles this season including 58 wins and only one loss. The baton has been passed.
Hawthorn; Can they go all the way?
West Coast; Impressive year continues locking away fourth spot.
Adam Goodes; Cream rises to the top!

This weeks losers

Todd Carney; If you run into a guy banging his head against a brick wall it’s probably Todd Carneys’ manager.
Port Adelaide; Worst footy team ever!
Brisbane Lions; Great effort getting so close – NOT.
Melbourne Dees; The rules are that when you change coach you win some games.

Next week I’ll do something completely different by reporting on the AFL and basketball.