Despite the NBA being only two months into the offseason plagued by a lockout, those familiar with the work stoppage have already noted that they don't see an agreement being made any time soon. But with their counterparts in the NFL finally reaching a mutual agreement to their CBA some four and a half months later, you would have to think there's the slightest bit of optimism in the air, right? Those closest to the source, however, would tell otherwise and believe the lockout could last until the start of the regular season in November or worse, last beyond Christmas like it did in '98, if not threaten the entire 2011-2012 season which is very much likely.
How much worse is the NBA's lockout than that of the NFL's? Due to the demands of the players and owners being so far apart from one another, players have already began seeking an alternative for work. While most players have considered playing ball overseas in China and Turkey among other places, former Celtics point guard Delonte West is among those who aren't as fortunate. After being busted by police in September of 2009 for riding his 3-wheeled motorcycle around with a guitar case which had three firearms inside including a 9mm pistol, a court ruling by the judge will prevent West from leaving the country to join those who plan on flocking to play ball elsewhere until the lockout ends.
With basketball no longer an option, the D.C. native has instead resorted to filling out job applications like many other struggling Americans during this tough recession. His place of choice? The Home Depot as he mentioned via his Twitter account. Though it doesn't quite remind us of the situation Malik Rose was in during the NBA lockout of 1998-1999 when he was forced to move back in with his parents, it does show shades of former bad boy and current Lakers forward Ron Artest who filled out an application for a part-time job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount during his time with the Bulls. Not only am I curious to see if Delonte knows a thing or two about wallpaper, but I'd also like to know which of his teammates he put down on his reference list.
West isn't the only one seeking work stateside this offseason as Lakers small forward Luke Walton plans to take an alternative route from the home improvement department by joining the University of Memphis' coaching staff as an assistant if the lockout continues.
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