from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

Having had a couple of days of sober reflection on last week's drama, is there a single player who believes that it would be prudent to lose an entire season over whether the new deal is eight years or 10 years in length? Is there a single owner who would darken his/her arena for the rest of the season over whether contracts should be capped at five or six years in length?

Imagine the legacy for all involved if that's what happened.

Imagine what people would be saying for 100 years: "You lost a second season in eight years and reinforced your position as the grand buffoons of pro sports over what amounts to arguing over who leaves the tip at breakfast? Really?"

No. Can't happen.

Can it?

As much as the two sides can't stand each other, and as angry as folks were last week, this week is about taking one last look at what lies at the bottom of the cliff and stepping back.

But the players and the owners can't afford to look too long.

more