from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Fired up and yet measured in his comments, (Ray) Whitney is indeed frustrated.

"They’re like schoolyard bullies right now, they want everything. That’s not negotiating," he said. "With us coming down to 50-50 [split of revenues], I don’t see the need for this to go as long as this has."

Like me, however, Whitney sees a deal that can be made.

"I don’t think it’s far apart at all, in fact I think it can be done in one afternoon," said Whitney, before building up to a laugh. "I’d stuff them all in a room and tell them they can’t come out until it’s done. And we’re not sending any food, either."

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