NBA season's chances looking grim

Staff and wire reports By Staff and wire reports
on October 14, 2011 at 12:07 AM, updated October 14, 2011 at 12:25 AM

According to the Associated Press, NBA Commissioner David Stern said his “gut” tells him there will be no NBA basketball on Christmas without a labor agreement by Tuesday.








In Boston, both the Globe and the Herald are reporting that lost business due to the NBA lockout could run into the millions.

A spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority said that last season, each Celtics home game generated an average of $1.85 million in spinoff spending for the local economy, including spending inside the arena -- ticket sales, food, drinks, retail -- and in the surrounding neighborhood -- eating, drinking, retail, and public transportation.

“It’s a lot of money and it’s very difficult to make it up,’’ said Pat Moscaritolo, president of the convention bureau. “And if this were to go and roll in to the winter months, then it becomes more severe.”

Celtics captain Paul Pierce and coach Doc Rivers both marked birthdays Thursday, Pierce's 34th and Rivers' 50th. Pierce at least was able to celebrate with the release of his new sneaker line. Unfortunately, the Rivers and the Celtics only received some disrespect from none other than Tiger Woods, in a wide-ranging interview.

Q. I know you're a big NBA guy. Little bummed about the cancellation of the first two weeks of the season, and optimistic that they're going to be able to get something done?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, of course I'm bummed. I think anybody who is an NBA fan is certainly bummed. I know that probably one person who is happy is probably Doc Rivers. I mean, with the age of his team, it's nice for them to only play half a season. It's true. It's a fact, come on. But as far as us out west, I'm looking forward to the Lakers getting back there and we'll see what they do. The problem is you can't talk to anybody. You can't see who is potentially on the block of being traded, what kind of deals can we do? Nothing can be happening. So as a fan, it's disconcerting because I'm excited about what we could add to the team, but it's also I understand this is business, and everyone in this business wants to make money. I know the owners were losing a bunch of money, and some of the markets were feeling the effects. They can't draw certain players, so they're just trying to make it fair for everybody so everybody can win.

Jeff Green, meanwhile, will participate in yet another charity game on Oct. 21 in Minnesota as players try to stay busy.

The Timberwolves' Michael Beasley and fellow locked-out NBA players John Wall, Joakim Noah, DeMarcus Cousins and Jeff Green will play a basketball exhibition game Oct. 21 at Osseo High School to benefit the Michael Beasley Foundation. Adrian Peterson and Norm Nixon will be celebrity coaches. Ticket prices are $50 general admission, $100 for VIP and $200 for courtside.