Dwyane Wade: NBA team parity "unrealistic"

BRADENTON, Fla. - Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade says it's "unrealistic" to think every NBA team will be competitive every season.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Wade says San Antonio's four championships since 1999 prove teams from small markets can win titles if managed correctly.

Wade also says the longer the lockout goes on, "the more fans we're going to lose."

Wade isn't sure what mediation can do to end the labor impasse. Players and owners are to meet with a mediator next week, first separately and then together.

Commissioner David Stern wants competitive balance in the league as a byproduct of any new deal. He says if a "breakthrough" does not come fast, more games could be lost.

The NBA has already canceled the first two weeks of the regular season.