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“I think we’re going to have to have guys like Kobe [Bryant], LeBron, the face of the NBA, to step up and say something,” said Wall, who was in Las Vegas this week when National Basketball Players Association President Derek Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter updated the players on the labor impasse. “Derek Fisher and those guys are doing a great job, but I just want it to be over. I can’t really say too much. I only have one year under my belt. . . . I just want to sit back, learn and listen and see what’s going on during the meetings.”
Washington Post (via Pro Basketball Talk)
This isn't the first time NBA superstars have been called out for saying nothing during this lockout. The biggest names aren't at negotiations, and from what I've read, the only superstar voice helping rally the troops has been Kevin Garnett.
But guys like Kobe and LeBron have always been about themselves. Their form of leadership, well, Kobe's form of leadership, has been doing it all himself on the court and blaming teammates when things go bad. LeBron isn't a leader, so we can toss his name out the window. So NBA players are left to wait for a big-name star to consistently step up and be their voice.
Maybe the NBPA doesn't want a media war, but their young players are now calling for some more leadership. As we hope for the lockout to end in the next few weeks so we could actually get all or most of this next season's games in, any sign of strength and unity from the players' side will help as owners fight amongst themselves over how much they really want to overhaul the league's financial system.
Oh, by the way. That photo is from a charity game that was played yesterday in Washington. Jeff Green was there. Here he is getting burned by Kevin Durant. Here he is taking a horribly off-balance jumper.
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