The owners of the NBA have no blood issue. 

We can simply look at the standings to see where they individually stand.

The owners of the Mavericks, Lakers, Heat and Knicks are all reportedly interested in reaching an agreement with the players to allow the 11-12 NBA season to be played.

These teams are, in order, champions, recent champions, champion runner-ups and determined to become champions.

They have successfully built contending teams and want to capitalize on that cycle both on the court and financially.

The Spurs have always been run on financial smoke and mirrors and they have a big bill of a payroll even though their core has almost entirely aged out of being a true contender. They were one of four teams to owe on the luxury tax, but have won just seven playoff games in three seasons.

If the Spurs remained a true contender, hoping to piece together one last run around the Tim Duncan who Peter Holt, the leading owner on the league’s labor relations committee, referenced by name on Thursday, they may be a little more willing to punt significant change down the road to 2018.

Robert Sarver of the Suns and Wyc Grousbeck of the Celtics have always been relatively transparent in their economic principles. They have been able to put title winners and perennial title contenders on the floor at a modest payroll level relative to their success. I think we can allow them a pass because at least they are consistent.

But the hardline positions of Paul Allen and Dan Gilbert are egregious examples of people acting strictly in their own self-interest.

Allen and Gilbert have financed some of the most expensive teams in NBA history where they have gambled on longshot, high-priced veterans like Marcus Camby and Antawn Jamison in pursuit of a title.

If LeBron James hadn’t fled the Cavaliers for a legitimate title shot with the Heat and if Brandon Roy and Greg Oden remained healthy and able, it is inconceivable that Allen and Gilbert would be on the side of the aisle in which they both currently sit.