Muller: David Stern Can Threaten Cancelation, But I'm Not Buying It

By Shawn Muller-

(CBS) NBA commissioner Davis Stern has drawn a line in the sand.

He said, "Let's get the two committees in and see if they can either have a season or not have a season. That's what's at risk this weekend."

Well, the weekend has arrived, so what will happen talks resume between the NBPA and the owners? Are we really NOT going to have an NBA season, shortened or not? I'm so nervous I can hardly contain myself from the anticipation of what is going to happen!

Actually, no I am not.

I know exactly what is going to happen: Nothing.

Sterns' threat about canceling the NBA season is about as empty as his league's arenas are going to be moving forward if the NBA doesn't get this mess straightened out soon. He knows this too. I know it's getting down to the wire, but anyone who really thinks that right now—this weekend-- is do-or-die time for the entire 2011-2012 season needs to relax.

If you ask me, I believe that Stern knows something positive is in the works—otherwise—there is no way he magically starts wielding his big stick. He has to be feeling good that the two sides are ready to strike a deal and—as the commissioner of the league—Sir Stern thinks now is the time to ride in on his valiant steed and save the day.

Remember: Stern is the boss, and you can't make the boss look bad.

Canceling the entire NBA season—especially with the NFL solving its own labor issues in time for the start of its regular season—would be league suicide. I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no way Stern would make such a bold statement without knowing something was about to get done.

All parties involved know that a winter without an NBA season would be disastrous for the league…a disaster that may never see the league fully recover. I say the NBA will never fully recover because the majority of the people across the country already don't care for professional basketball as opposed to the NFL or even Major League Baseball.

Ever since the greats like Michael, Magic, and Larry left the league, the NBA has not been anywhere near as popular amongst the general public. Sure, there have been some good ones like Shaq, Kobe, and Tim Duncan, but the overall drop in "star power" led to a lack of interest by the masses in the late 1990's through the early 2000's.

But lately, the NBA has seen a nice spike in popularity.

The league now has a great crop of young stars like LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant. Last season, the league earned a season record $4 billion in revenue. Television ratings were at an all-time high, and the playoffs were fantastic.

It almost felt like NBA action was "fantastic" once again.

Now all of a sudden, there is not going to be an NBA season if something doesn't happen soon? I'm sorry, but I just can't buy that and neither should you.

Is it possible that the regular season will be shortened? Yeah. I could see that. But there is no way in hell the entire season will be lost, regardless of what David Stern "threatens".