The mystery behind whether Roger Mason Jr.’s Twitter account was hacked might never be solved. Of course, it also hasn’t been confirmed whether the prototype iPhones being left behind in Silicon Valley bars are actual accidents or elaborate marketing stunts.
What is certain is that when Mason’s Twitter account said, “Looking like a season. How u,” on Wednesday, it became the theme for the resumed NBA lockout negotiations — despite attempts by both the NBA and the NBA Players Association to avoid any kind of characterization at all.
The union can cover Mason’s tracks, and NBA commissioner David Stern can tell reporters, “I don’t really know that it’s positive or negative,” when asked what it means that the two sides have spent so much time together over the last week.
But both of those positions lie in stark contrast to the animosity of July, the radio silence of August and the two meetings total since July 1, all of which seemed to point toward what had been long forecast: both sides digging in their heels and planning for a lost 2011-12 season.
What’s changed? First, the opening of training camps is less than four weeks away, and games are following close behind. Time is running out to preserve what can be preserved, and any postponement or cancellation is one worth trying to avoid.
Second — and speaking of time — negotiators have spent 17 hours meeting in the last week. The union will report to some of its membership, and larger committees will meet next week. There’s a lot that can be discussed in 17 hours.
Of course, all the negotiating in the world is for naught if one side decides to storm out of the room or if anyone accidentally creates the wrong impression with a tweet. (Ahem, Roger). Not to mention, the issues remain complicated, and the amount of money at stake remains enormous.
Any momentum means things aren’t motionless. It may not mean there’s going to be a season. But after this week, it looks more likely than at any point since the lockout started.
– Craig Stouffer
