ooh, you want to patronize me.
Well, Mr student of recent history:
1) The players' salary got 'slashed' because they had a fucking AMAZING deal before this (57% of BRI), sealed at a time when the league was hugely successful. The more successful the league, the more leverage players have, and the more items get put on the negotiating table. If he wants to put it on the table, he'd have the support of the Union I'm sure (what could be more empowering for their players?).
Wasn't patronizing you I was just explaining what was wrong with your theory. It's fun to think about but it won't work in the NBA (unless things get so bad that even LeBron wouldn't want to own a team, but I digress.)
This point above is completely erroneous. They did have an amazing deal, but only because they lucked out. It was actually sealed during a time when ratings were down, and the owners were considered the major winners when the contract was done. Time proved otherwise because the league ended up making far more than projected (due to a massive talent increase.)
The players won out, they had an awesome season last year as far as ratings and hype. They had all the leverage in the world. And they got smoked again in bargaining.
Now, five years from now they still could be looked at as big winners, if the revenues continue going up and the tv contracts go back up. However, the owners (and players) have an out in 6 years anyway.
No matter who wins, the owners win. And they really have all the leverage because the players union isn't solid due to turnover year-to-year. The owners could have sat out a year or two, that would devastate the majority of the player's union.
Bill Simmons nailed it a few days ago when he said the players need to use their leverage DURING the season. If they went on strike pre-emtively before the Playoffs one year that would have a much bigger impact than anything they were able to negotiate during the summer.
Also, depending on how old you are you've seen a player-coach in your lifetime Mandark. Mike Dunleavy played and coached a couple of games for the Milwaukee Bucks. Think he was the last, but I used to like hearing/reading about the older players that did that too. Would be cool to see Peyton Manning become his own official OC next year, would be the closest parallel I can think of.
edit: You said it yourself. LeBron made $16 mil in salary thanks to an 'AMAZING' deal for the players. Jordan made twice that 14 years ago. The player's deal for the star level athletes is the worst among major sports. How can LeBron mean so much to one team yet he gets paid like a middle reliever in baseball? Shitty deal (but great for the average players, which make up the majority of the union.)