There are no more concessions, no more negotiating sessions, no more lockout watches on twitters, and no more hopes. This is the end of the line, an end that comes sooner than later because a) Stern doesn’t want less than 70 games. b) Both sides focus on their egos over reason. c) The players are misinformed because some “sources” just can’t shut up about fake details of a new CBA.

No more Nazr Mohammed telling people to forego the draft, there might be no draft to forego.

No more Jared Dudley trying to show his smarts by explaining the problems with the deal to his followers.

But a lot more excuses from both sides.

With the players coming into to a key juncture in the talks the odds are shrinking. While Etan Thomas’ interview with ESPN, or their tweets might just them trying to force the owners to concede some of the points, I truly doubt that the players and especially the agents representing them, will let this slide.

This is the end of the line, folks, and tomorrow, I’ll be writing about what all you Suns fans will be missing because of hard-liners. Hard-liners on both sides.

Category — NBA: Define Luxury Tax Payer in MLE context.
Owners: Teams that are over the tax threshold after their MLE signing.
Players: Teams that are over the tax threshold before their MLE signing.
Fans: Who cares? Just give us a season.
NBA Stakeout Reporters: Oh my god, not this again.

Me: A team penalized by paying double the money because apparently the players can’t take the notion of  a hard/flex cap (which they’ll have to accept if this season is eventually cancelled) and just want almost every single team to be in the red business-wise to sign enough good players to win. This type of entitlement is what I hate about the players side here. Guess what, want to win? Don’t just make the owner take a big hit to his pocket, take one yourself. NHL players have to do it, why not you?

On a side note, NBA, NBPA… I hate you all so much right now.