Derek Fisher runs the point for the Lakers, but he also runs the point for a larger team, the NBA Players' Association. As the NBA players' union president, Fisher has an important role in the collective bargaining agreement talks between the players and owners, one that could dictate whether there is a 2011-12 NBA season, ESPN.com reports.
The players' association and league officials met last week to discuss the collective bargaining agreement that is set to expire July 1, 2011. According to The Associated Press, Fisher and the players' union found the league’s proposal unacceptable.
"I think what we made clear today is that where they are is not relevant to where we are. We're not going to begin where they say begin," Fisher told The AP after Friday's meeting. "I think that was the purpose of going in today, to make sure they understood that their proposal was not the beginning of the conversation."
The Lakers guard recognizes the league wants players to accept less in their negotiations.
"I don't think we'd be surprised if there's an overreach," Fisher told ESPN.com. "So I don't know if we should box ourselves in to just sending back our response to what they sent."
Despite the results of last week's meeting, Fisher believes plenty of time remains for the two sides to reach an agreement.
"I don't think any side has any intentions on dragging it out unnecessarily, but at the same time, we have a year and a half [remaining on the current agreement, which expires at the end of the 2010-11 season]," Fisher told ESPN.com. "We're serious in our approach to getting this started sooner than later, but we're not going to rush to judgment to things that are sent out this early in the game."
