A normally even keeled Derek Fisher had to defend himself to the rest of the NBAPA in a letter after a FoxSports.com report surfaced that he was allegedly negotiating privately with Commissioner David Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. Fisher vehemently denied the claims reiterating his loyalty to the players and to getting a fair deal for the next collective bargaining agreement.
↵This isn't the first time a union president's loyalty has been questioned. As recently as 2005, Michael Curry was under the same fire about his allegiances. Shortly after that deal was done, Curry was working for the league.
↵But at the end of the day, all of this means nothing. Both the NBA and the players are working so hard to preserve their public images among fans and league affiliated businesses that they are losing sight of the fact that all fans want are to watch games. That's it. The business aspects of the game are of little to no concern to fans unless it pertains to ticket prices. No matter what the new deal's structure is, the players will still be close-to or well above millionaire status while the owners will still have their billions.
↵Even if Fisher was to make a side deal, so what? If it ended the lockout, more fans would applaud than boo. That's what folks are glossing over. Just throw out a ball in front of a packed house and let Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant go at it. That's all fans want. Just get it done.
↵For more on the NBA Lockout, check out SBNation LA's Lockout Stream.