Dan Gilbert was the only member of the league's negotiating committee who was not present during Thursday's bargaining session with the players.

Gilbert's absence avoided a potentially uncomfortable face to-face encounter with LeBron James, who attended on behalf of the players.  

The night that James announced on live television that he was leaving Cleveland for Miami, Gilbert issued a statement harshly critical of James' decision and James himself.

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."

The National Basketball Association and National Basketball Players Association issued the following statement today:  

"The NBA and NBPA held a four-hour bargaining meeting today that included constructive dialogue and a productive exchange of information.  While we still have much work to do, it was encouraging how many players and owners participated in the process and all pledged to continue to work together.   We all agreed to meet again before training camp.?

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul were among the players that attended Thursday's negotiating session between the NBA and the union.

"It's important for me that all of us, as being the faces of the NBA, to be involved in the negotiations and what's going on," Anthony said when he left. "Our future is in jeopardy if we can't come into a mutual agreement."

Union executive director Billy Hunter said 14 players participated in the meeting in Manhattan.

It was the first bargaining session since February's All-Star weekend, when the players rejected the owners' proposal to replace the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires June 30, 2011.

The NBA and its players' association will rekindle talks regarding a new labor agreement this week.

Commissioner David Stern revealed the meeting between the two sides during a conference call on Monday to announce that the NBA will play two regular season games in London this season.

It will be the first formal meeting since the NBA's All-Star weekend in February, when the players rejected the owners' proposal for a deal to replace the one that expires June 30, 2011.