There have been dire warnings about this outcome for a couple of years now, but the breakdown in collective bargaining discussions between the NBA and the Player’s Union (NBPA) still struck me like Ron Artest did those fans in Detroit. One always expects that rational thought will prevail when billions of dollars are at stake (as finally happened with the NFL just a few months ago), yet that has not been the case in these labor discussions.

Basically, the sides are close enough on all the major issues that a deal could be finished at anytime if they can determine how to split Basketball Related Income or BRI. Of course, that’s like saying that the Israeli Conflict could be solved if they could come to a consensus on religion. The players are willing to accept a 10% cut in pay while owners are demanding 20%, but supposedly floated the idea of 15%. Of course, it’s easy to be magnanimous when you’re playing with house money as the owners are at this point. Whatever happens, they win.

Regardless, the argument goes on. Stern says that if an agreement is not reached by Monday, he will begin cancelling regular season games. Being that there are no more meetings scheduled before that time, and that Friday/Saturday is Yom Kippur, there is very little chance of avoiding that fate. After the jump, there are some ideas for how to pass the time without NBA basketball to keep us entertained.