Wednesday Bolts – 11.2.11

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports set fire to labor talks: “This union is threatening to implode, the push and pull of people wanting to cut a deal and those willing to keep warring over the final percentage points. Within the NBPA, the frustration with Hunter is this: Hunter knows where the deal will be made, but he’s engaged in a smear campaign to frame Fisher as a sellout to the league. For Hunter, the end game is simple: Divide and conquer, and ultimately try keep his own job beyond this labor agreement. This is a lousy deal for the players, and Hunter wants the blame everywhere else. Yes, this has created doubts about Fisher, but it’s hurt Hunter far more. Once, he had the stars on his side, and that’s rapidly dissipating.”

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “Sadly, a person close to Hunter said Tuesday the union chief remains “pretty dug in,” and it’s clear who’s giving the marching orders not to go a penny below 52 percent. Look no further than the infamous letter that seven high-powered agents sent to their clients on Oct. 3, strongly urging the players not to make any further concessions beyond 52 percent of BRI.”

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop: “The gist of my post still applies to most owners who end up using the amnesty clause. Leonsis, for instance, if he’s in favor of the amnesty, is really in favor of increasing his own capacity to spend. But if he pays to cut Lewis, and then spends on his replacement, other owners would get similar relief. It really is, or will be, if they can ever strike a deal, a zero-sum game, where owners will may one total amount which players will share between them. According to my sources, there is not a chance that this amnesty clause will let owners spend like crazy. So I stand corrected.”

That Grantland economist piece featured an Oklahoman. Good to know!

Darnell Mayberry talked with George Overbay: “Overbey initially was hesitant to accept media requests. He felt Durant might not have wanted him to pump life into his random act. But when Overbey texted his newest, most famous friend, Durant gave the green light. Before hanging up with a reporter at the end of his last interview Tuesday, Overbey interrupted a goodbye to make one request. Make KD look good. “To see how a guy that successful, at that age, can be so humble despite having such a presence but still have the character that he does, it’s incredible,” Overbey said. “It really is.”

Zach Lowe of SI on the Thunder and the amnesty: “The Thunder will come in just below last season’s cap number if they bring back Daequan Cook at the level of his qualifying offer, and Russell Westbrook is a due a massive extension that will kick in for 2012-13. Extensions for Serge Ibaka and James Harden would begin the next season. Even making conservative assumptions, it is hard to imagine the Thunder ducking the (more punitive) luxury tax if they manage to keep all of those guys — a scenario that might not work, given the team’s market constraints.”

KD was on the front page of NFL.com yesterday.

Scott Van Pelt: “Objectivity be damned, but I’ve developed quite a sweet tooth for Kevin Durant.”

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