Baron Davis discusses Saturday's lockout talks

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NEW YORK--As the first player to leave Saturday's negotiating session at a Manhattan hotel, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Baron Davis was besieged by reporters following four hours of bargaining meetings.

"I'm in no capacity to give you guys anything that's tangible," Davis, bespectacled and with his trademark beard, said initially. "We're working."

While the affable veteran floor general interspersed humor into his comments, he was also cautiously optimistic about progress in the labor talks after Friday's discussions were described as confrontational, according to reports.

"Very constructive," said Davis of the portion of Saturday's meeting he witnessed. "I think both sides are willing and they're able, and we both understand that as long as we continue--this is a big issue and I think both sides are voicing their opinion and what they're passionate about. Everybody's being a lot more receptive today to moving forward. Ever since we've been here, we've been all trying to figure out the best process.

"A lot of Friday's reports of conflict between the union and league's representatives was blown out of proportion. In the midst of negotiations, people are going to talk. People are going to voice their opinions and I think that both sides have a great deal of respect for each other, as well as admiration from a business standpoint," he continued about the meeting, which reportedly included smaller groups than Friday. "The players, we're united and we're standing firm with each other and the owners are doing the same. We're here to work and that's what we've been able to do, and we're continually working and I think that good things are to come."

Although Davis claimed to not know whether the two parties would meet for a third straight day Sunday, he did acknowledge the symbolism of some of the NBA's higher-profile players participating in negotiations Friday as crucial in demonstrating the union's solidarity.

"From a player's standpoint, we want to play, but at the same time, we want to do what's best for us as a whole and we're all standing behind Derek Fisher. He's our president and they're going to make the right decision," he said. "We'll continue to play in our pickup games and support each other in our communities and just continue to play basketball until the time comes where the deal is right.

"It was great that all the guys came out because Paul, LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen--these guys are very intelligent and highly-intelligent people, as far as the business of basketball and understanding that, and it was great that we all showed up because there's so many ideas and opinions that can be voiced and Derek Fisher just does an excellent job as a president, of being able to filter a lot of the information and apply it in the right manner. What came out of yesterday, for us as the players, is great unity and great camaraderie and just some great, innovative ways to work towards getting a deal done," he continued. "It's a work in progress. Today, tomorrow, next week. We're here this weekend to get it right and each and every day, there's been some progress. So, we're just going to keep supporting our union, keep supporting our president and they'll make the right decision."

Aggrey Sam is CSNChicago.com's Bulls Insider. Follow him @CSNBullsInsider on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Bulls information and his take on the team, the NBA and much more.

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