The three-and-one-half-hour bargaining session between the players and league on Thursday surprisingly included the direct participation of the NBA's biggest stars.

"I think it?s important for all of us, as the faces of the NBA, to be involved in the negotiations and what?s going on," said Carmelo Anthony, one of the All-Stars who could most immediately be affected by a new collective bargaining agreement.  Anthony can become a free agent next summer.

"Our future?s in jeopardy if we can?t come to a mutual agreement," Anthony said.

According to sources in attendance, the tone of the discussions was not as rancorous as in the previous meeting.  The owners did not threaten a lockout as frequently.

At one point, David Stern proclaimed that "there?s a gulf, not a gap" between the players' and owners' respective positions.

The two sides vowed to meet again before training camp opens.

"They generally objected to the entire proposal [submitted by the players to the owners]," Billy Hunter said. "They said they didn?t agree with it. We kind of anticipated that. But at the same time, it lends itself to more discussion so they all felt as though we did make progress in terms of our willingness to talk to one another as opposed to at one another. And so to that extent, things felt a lot better in the room ? the atmosphere, the environment, the nature of the discussions ? more so than in February. Things have thawed a lot."

Anthony was encouraged by the talks.

"It was great conversation, great dialogue going back and forth, great communication," Anthony said. "So hopefully we can come to an agreement soon."