A random NBA fan wrote on Twitter a message directed at Heat owner Micky Arison.

"Fans provide all the money you're fighting over," wrote the fan.

"Honestly u r barking at the wrong owner," replied Arison on his Twitter feed.

Arison has been categorized by NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter as part of a group of owners eager to reach a deal with the players.

LeBron James has openly courted Jamal Crawford and Steve Nash on Twitter.

NBA players are typically not allowed to court players under contract with other teams, but the lockout has suspended several rules such as that one.

"Would love to see @JCrossover in a Heat uni! What u guys say?" wrote James about Crawford.

Crawford is a free agent, which makes James' statement permissible under any circumstances.

But Nash remains under contract with the Suns.

"Maybe @SteveNash in a Heat uni! So we can help each other get our 1st ring."

Billy Hunter mentioned by name four owners who he believes are ready to make a deal, making the argument that the NBA is less united than they have appeared.

Jerry Buss of the Lakers, James Dolan of the Knicks, Mark Cuban of the Mavericks and Micky Arison of the Heat are, according to Hunter, ready to make a deal.

“They want a deal,” Hunter said of those four owners. “A group of owners from small markets are dug in, and they are carrying the day. The guys who are anxious to cut a deal don’t have the votes.”

Several of the NBA's biggest stars are planning an overseas world tour.

From October 30th to November 9th, players will tour Puerto Rico, London, Macau and Australia.

Players will be paid up to $1 million and some of the money will also go to charity.

Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Paul and Carlos Boozer are expected to appear.

Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett may also appear in the tour.

If the NBA is able to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement, then the tour will be canceled.

In an interview on Friday with The Associated Press, Dwyane Wade expressed growing concern about the prolonged nature of the lockout.

"The longer it goes on, the more fans we're going to lose," Wade said.

That sentiment is one part of negotiations that appears universal.

"We haven't done a great job of complaining," Wade said. "That's what the NBA has done, they've done a great job of complaining. We haven't done a great job of that so no one sees our side. They more so see the owners' side."

Wade disagrees with Stern on why small market teams struggle to be competitive.

"To me, it's not about who has the most chips," Wade added. "I think it's about who manages their chips the right way. That's why I think we have a management problem. Small markets have won championships. San Antonio is a very small market and they have four championships in the last 10 years or whatever the case may be."

Last October, David Stern spoke openly about the benefit the NBA was about to receive from the formation of a Miami Heat team featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"My guess," he said during a preseason media session, "is that the Heat is not going to play to too many empty seats on the road, as people want to see this team. We have had other sort of super teams -- they're called the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs. In different ages, we've had Hall of Famers that come together and teams have gathered them.

"I think that team has generated spectacular interest, and all in all it's been very good for the NBA."

During the 2011 NBA Finals, however, Stern was asked if Miami's Big 3 will be able to stay together under a new collective bargaining agreement.

"We've tried to make it more attractive for players to stay with their current team. That trend will continue if not be enhanced."

Now, the NBA is pushing for a harder salary cap, which will force teams to relinquish some of their core players.

"That's what caps do," Stern said, "they move players around and distribute players a little more equally."

Stern admitted during a recent interview that the reduction of Bird Rights, the increase of the luxury tax, the hardening of the cap can only do so much to sway player preference.

"There are natural advantages to certain cities," he said. "Some people like lakes, and you can go to cities with lakes. Some people like the ocean and you can go to South Beach. But there is an increasing sense that 'glamorous' cities have an edge and I guess it's always been that way."

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade hosted an informal union meeting following Saturday's exhibition game in Miami.

According to a source, James and Wade 'implored' those in attendance to reject any deal that dropped the players' share of BRI below 53 percent.

Ira Winderman played a hypothetical game on how members of the Heat would vote if the NBA offered the players a true 50-50 split of BRI.

"First, figure on Zydrunas Ilgauskas abstaining because of his impending retirement, and remember that first-round pick Norris Cole doesn't get a vote because he is not a union member yet," wrote Winderman.

"Otherwise, figure Juwan Howard, Erick Dampier, Jamaal Magloire, Eddie House and Mike Bibby essentially going for any agreement, as the clock ticks on their careers. That puts the Heat 5-0 in favor. Then figure Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony going that way, because each probably is in the midst of the largest contract for the balance of their careers. That puts it at 8-0.

"As for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, this is their moment, a Big 3 opportunity never to be regained. While they might say one thing publicly, privately that's probably three more yes votes amid their career contracts (especially with David Stern's vow of no clawbacks) to 11-0. About the only three who might have issue are Mario Chalmers, James Jones and Dexter Pittman, with the year-to-year nature of their employment and the potential shrinking of the middle class in a new deal. So, at worst, looks like 11-3-2.

According to multiple sources, staffers in the basketball operation were asked last fall to accept pay reductions in case of a lockout.

The staffers received an across-the-board 10 percent pay reduction between July 1 and September 30, then the pay cut would grow to 25 percent through March 31. If the lockout lasted past March 31, the reduction would increase to 50 percent.

Both Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra took cuts as well, say two sources.

According to a Tweet, LeBron James practiced with the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School varsity football team.

"Just got done practicing with the St.V Varsity football team, full pads and all," wrote James.

James played varsity football while in high school and was an all-state wide receiver. He also starred in a State Farm commercial several years ago where instead of announcing which NBA team he would sign with in free agent, decided to play for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

Several years ago, Randy Moss said James could be a better than Antonio Gates, who is widely considered the best tight end of the current era.

"Felt great being back on the field. Should I?" James continued.