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NBA Cancels Regular Season Games, NBA Players React on Twitter

While there’s still hope that some of the upcoming NBA season can be salvaged, that prospect is looking less and less likely, especially after the recent announcement from NBA Commissioner David...
NBA Cancels Regular Season Games, NBA Players React on Twitter
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  • While there’s still hope that some of the upcoming NBA season can be salvaged, that prospect is looking less and less likely, especially after the recent announcement from NBA Commissioner David Stern concerning the cancellation of the first two weeks of games for the 2011-12 regular season.

    Stern, who indicated both sides “remain very, very apart on all issues,” has been taking something of a beating in the media, with the main point of contention being his preference for representing the owners’ interest and treating the players — and the fans — like they don’t matter. It appears as if Stern’s only concern is making sure his owners don’t lose money.

    More from Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski:

    Stern hinted that the owners’ proposals to the players might only get worse so they can recoup losses incurred by the cancellation of games. Many players have long expected the league would wait until the players started missing paychecks to see if the union would settle for a less favorable deal.

    There’s much, much more from where that came from, but the bottom line is this, especially after you read what various “sources” have offered; that is, the owners — with David Stern at their backs — want the players to capitulate while giving little to nothing in return. From everything that’s being written, we, as fans, may not see NBA basketball for some time.

    And the owners are happy with that, especially if they get what they want from the players.

    As is the case, whenever something big like the cancellation of regular season games in a professional sport hits the wires, people, including the players, react. Of course, one of the more popular mediums for these reactions is Twitter, and after the announcement, many players took to their Twitter accounts to let the world know how they feel.

    These NBA player tweets did not disappoint. Along with the previous “David Stern” Twitter trend, the reaction towards the NBA establishment is not favorable. First, a couple of highlights from the Stern trend. Unfortunately, some Twitter users have no idea how the “greater than” symbol works:

    David Stern > spoiled milk #LOCKOUT 4 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    David Stern > rush hour traffic in Lexington with no AC #LOCKOUT 5 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    Unless these guys are on Stern’s side, which is possible, I suppose. The players, however, are not. Not at this time, anyway:

    @OfficialMT23: S/O @derekfisher for not stopping until we get a fair and righteous deal hard worker on and off the court #salute” thank you 10 hours ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto

    If you aren’t aware, Derek Fisher is the president of the National Basketball Players Association, meaning he’s the main representative of NBA players in these discussions. Reaction from the players continues:

    Genuinely sorry to all the employees in and around NBA arenas losing work. 10 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

    Thanks for the overwhelming support today guys. You know we want to play & you understand the propaganda/misinformation from the owners. 14 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    Nash’s sentiment towards those who are employed by NBA teams for concessions and other duties has been echoed by many players:

    Up early in the morning thinking bout all the people affected by the decision made. All I can say is this a damn shame. 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

    Sad day in the NBA with the cancellation of first 2 weeks.I feel horrible for the thousounds of workers impacted by lockout. #freebasketball 2 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    All the NBA arena employees, businesses and people who are being negatively affected by this #lockout, I’m sorry you have to deal with this! 2 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

    We understand owners have to make $ and that is what its all come down too. We just want to play. The following ppl are the 1s who get hurt: 9 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

    Ticket ushers, local bars/clubs/food, police officers, security, in arena food and drink, hotels,local small businesses,should I keep going? 9 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

    STERN’s “WORDS” 2day hurt the ppl who work at the AAA,other arena’s,as well as local businesses &our fans.. 11 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto

    If they weren’t apologizing to the employees who won’t be working, the players were either expressing their disappointment, clarifying misinformation, or simply apologizing to the fans for the cancellation announcement:

    I wanna sincerely say sorry to all the fans! It’s a sad day for all of us, especially u guys! There’s no US w/o You. #loveuguys 10 hours ago via Echofon · powered by @socialditto

    Those are the one’s who are affected by STERN’s “WORDS” 2day..its a Lockout-NOT a Strike.. 11 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto

    Had big expectation for today’s meeting. Really dissapointed 10 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

    I want to let our fans know we can’t spell US without U! Thx so much for the support during this lockout. Hopefully we’ll have bball soon. 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto

    LET US PLAY….. #StandUnited 21 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

    Even though the players seem to be united, it won’t make much difference to the owners who feel their basketball franchise should be a guarantee of massive profits, and are willing to sacrifice an entire season to get their way. It also appears as if the NBA players aren’t nearly as organized as the NFL union was, who, at this point, had already filed to decertify their union. As far as the NBA players union goes, besides a letter from a group of agents who mentioned the option of decertification — something they already backed off of — the players haven’t made such a move, one the owners apparently fear.

    For those of you looking for an answer concerning the return of the NBA, sorry, you won’t find any here.

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