NBA, Union hit snag in collective bargaining

Three months ago David Stern was optimistic that the NBA would avoid a lockout this summer. Now that optimism seems to be waning.

Updated: May 1, 2005, 9:44 AM ET
By Chad Ford | ESPN Insider
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NBA commissioner David Stern and union chief Billy Hunter sat together at a podium at the All-Star Game in Denver in February, sharing a proverbial peace pipe.

Hand in hand, the two claimed they were hopeful they would reach a deal on a new NBA collective-bargaining agreement before the current one expires June 30.

"I'm really optimistic that we'll be able to do it," Stern said in February.

Stern and Hunter promised to meet throughout March and April in an effort to hammer out the details and NBPA president Michael Curry felt they might reach an accord by the end of the regular season.

The regular season ended a week ago, but there's still no agreement.


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Chad Ford | email

Senior Writer, NBA Insider
  • Senior NBA Writer for ESPN.com
  • ESPN Insider NBA Draft Analyst since 2002
  • Writes ESPN's NBA Draft Top 100 and Lottery Mock Draft

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