NBA owner and union representatives had their second negotiating session in New York City today, as they attempt to arrive at a new collective bargaining agreement following the expiration of the previous CBA on July 1, and subsequent owner-imposed lockout of the players.
While no specific progress was reported, and Derek Fisher had this to say about today's talks, "I wouldn't say there is a change in either side in our approach or ideologically. We're in the same place. We're where we have always been in terms of certain components," the two sides did agree on a couple of foundational points about the nature of future negotiations.
The last session seemed only to inflame both sides. After today's session, each side is speaking some of the right words and fewer of the counterproductive ones, which can at least give us a sliver of hope.
More after the jump.
First, each side claims they will pick up the pace of negotiations. Today's session was only the second sit-down between the sides in the past two months, and owners and players promised to press on with more urgency from here on out. Said Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver:
"We're not going to get a deal done unless we spend time together and that's progress unto itself given how infrequently we have met since the lockout began. It's difficult to characterize the meeting other than there is no question both sides want to avoid missing games, or missing training camp for that matter."