The Dan Gilbert X-Factor

There’s a cast of characters who could take the blame for the labor negotiations going up in flames. Peter Holt, owner of the San Antonio Spurs, allegedly told the players they haven’t suffered enough. Paul Allen, of the Blazers, was the messenger. Yet and still, like his former megastar employee, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert appears to be the one owner everyone is point their finger towards. And it’s not the index either.

“It was Dan Gilbert who said to me I should trust his gut.” – Billy Hunter

Let the reports tell narrate the story, teams like the Lakers, Knicks, Mavs, Heat and more were all but ready to end the lockout. The smaller market teams who don’t want to be left in the cold in terms of revenue sharing were the ones voicing concern, which to an extent is understandable. Only if it weren’t Dan Gilbert – who isn’t exactly hurting financially – leading the charge in their honor. As petty as it may sound, if hindering the negotiations is his goal to indirectly strike back at LeBron for last summer, it is the single most spiteful, vindictive and devious thing I’ve seen anyone pull in sports. It’s almost impossible not to think Gilbert does not want to evaporate an entire season causing LeBron to lose an entire season during his prime years (LeBron/Gilbert could very well be the real life version of the Steve Austin/Vince McMahon storyline).

Outlandish, of course, but we’re talking about the same owner who made Comic Sans the universal font of heartbreak and publicly thanked the Mavs for beating the Heat in June. If he’s willing to do that, Nino Brown sleeping with G-Money’s girl in New Jack City suddenly becomes laughable.

To be honest, I’m lost. The overall mafioso silence from the owners and the “this-really-isn’t-our-fault” stance from the players is running thin. Maybe I can dedicate my time to watching the final three seasons of The Wire, which reminds me. This entire fiasco vaguely compares to the scene in season one when Little Man shot Detective Greggs. Stern being Avon. Wee-Bay being Gilbert. Greggs being the players. Stern/Avon is going to be the man regardless. Wee-Bay/Gilbert will be the triggerman and neither of them care about the backlash. Greggs/the players take the shots, pray they survive and hope to mend their relationship with their girl/the fans. Just like Jay-Z lyrics, everything can be answered with a scene from The Wire.

When will the NBA lockout end? Hopefully before Conrad Murray receives his not guilty verdict (you know it’s coming) or before Lindsay Lohan OD’s for the final time (you know that’s coming too). I just have one suggestion for the NBA. Get Nelson Mandela as the next mediator. If anyone who knows about peace and sitting in limbo for years, it’s him.

Bonus: Ever wonder what is exactly said in these owners and players meeting? Look no further than the classic Jadakiss and Styles (players) and Diddy (owners) interview on Hot 97. The parallels are amazing.