Lockout Puts Supporting Players in the Spotlight

(Wall Street Journal) - Derek Fisher and James Jones normally play supporting roles on the basketball court, but with the NBA and its players union locked in a contentious labor dispute, they have been thrust into a starring role.

But what if the union's nine-member executive committee formed their own team? According to projections, they would win around 49 games over a full 82-game season. That win total would have been 10th best in the league.

The win total is a projection using wins produced, a statistic that relies on efficiency. The union team would be significantly worse if not for Hornets point guard Chris Paul, who adds 19 wins to the team.

Southern Utah professor David Berri, who developed the wins-produced statistic, said, "Essentially, we have two groups arguing about how much money they are going to take away from the people who generate the money."

The low-key committee is rare among labor boards. The NFL lockout this summer featured Saints star Drew Brees, Colts center Jeff Saturday and Patriots guard Brian Waters, all of whom were selected to five Pro Bowls.

During the NBA negotiations in 1998 and 1999, the NBA players were led by Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.

Some big names, such as Kobe Bryant, Amar'e Stoudemire and Kevin Garnett, made brief appearances at meetings, but no player outside the executive committee has appeared more than once since early October.

A union representative did not respond to requests for comment.

Read more: Wall Street Journal