So, it really seems like the NBA lockout is going to carry well into 2012, if not forever. P&T will continue to operate, though, as it has throughout the lockout to date. Our numbers are obviously way down, but I'm delighted to see that some of you have stuck around. You've continued to comment and contribute posts, even picking up the slack while I refuse to acknowledge the lockout, and for that I am incredibly thankful. Going forward, here's what I'm thinking:

- Obviously, I'll continue to provide the same sputtering stream of Knicks content that you're used to.

- I'll also post lockout threads and news when I feel the urge, which is going to be rare. I encourage you to use the comments and Fanposts to discuss the lockout to your heart's content. I just won't be participating much, because I'd rather talk about literally anything else than other people's money.

- And that's the point of this post, really. In the absence of basketball, I want us to still talk and be friends. There's no reason we can't. Starting tomorrow, I think, I'm going to post an open thread every morning. I'll make it up as I go along, but this open thread will likely include whatever links and videos and stuff I want to share with you, as well as discussion topics or challenges or whatever else I can think of. I have plenty of things in mind already. Note that this will be separate from any Knicks content. "Lifestyle".

- I'd also really like to get us back into live-commenting sometimes. I miss game threads too much. Yesterday, a few people suggested picking up another team in another sport (like a New York-area college team), which I'm not opposed to. I know, for instance, that some of you are St. John's fans, and we've also got Osborn on the scene and I happen to have been watching some Red Storm games myself. So, that's a possibility. At the same time, we needn't restrict ourselves to basketball. It'd be kind of fun if there was a show or regular event of some sort that we could all watch together. I was thinking that Jeopardy! might be a good option, since it's kind of the only thing I watch anymore, but it airs at different times in different places, so that'd be tough. Anyway, I'm open to ideas on the "game thread" front.

- We'll probably have more contests of some sort. 

- My major qualm with expanding our scope is that the further we get from the Knicks, the more likely it is that folks get rowdy and/or vicious and/or more off-topic than we'd like. (Politics, sex, religion and other topics likely to produce comments in poor taste would qualify as "more off-topic than we'd like". Use your judgment.) The point of this entire endeavor is to keep ourselves sane 'n' entertained during the lockout, so please help me to maintain a friendly atmosphere and encourage positive contributions. The usual guidelines apply, and I will continue to enforce them with the same wanton, uneven vigor as before. You, meanwhile, are encouraged to rec good posts, flag inappropriate ones, and email me with questions or troubles.

And that's all I can think of right now. If this lockout has driven you to bail on the Knicks or P&T or both, then I can't blame you (and you're probably not reading this anyway). We're not going anywhere, though, and if you intend to stick with us, then we might as well enjoy each other's company.

Update: Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

The union is about to hold a press conference.

Now Dave Checketts, of all people, is trying to tell us things and even Kate Fagan has some positive-sounding news and dammit I'm hopeful again. Dammit dammit dammit.

For those of us following along. Please pleasepleaseplease

The NBPA just had a meeting and a press conference. It didn't amount to much. That said, this seemed like the meeting with the most actual players in attendance, including representatives from 29 of the 30 teams (I think that's what they said). The Knicks' representative, as I learned from Alan Hahn today, is Toney Douglas. It appears that it used to be Amar'e Stoudemire, but that changed for some reason.

Anyway, see if you can find Toney in this photo!

Hey babies. I'm not sure exactly how I'd like to do this, but I do know that I'm going to miss game threads terribly during this lockout. Tonight would have been our first game thread of the season. I'd like for P&T to still be a regular place for us to just gather and jabber, so I'm just going to post threads anyway. I've been thinking about centering them around particular televised events or topics or whatever, but I'm undecided and still haven't gotten much response from y'all.

So, um, hey! I'm watching the encore of Unguarded on ESPN right now. I have a belly full of sushi. What's up with y'all?

One of the assumed components of the next CBA (release date: TBA) is an amnesty clause. According to Marc Stein, said amnesty clause could be applicable in either of the next two seasons and could provide financial relief even for teams under the salary cap. It's a chance for owners to expunge a burdensome long-term contract. So, naturally, our sights turn to the Knicks' long-term payroll. Here is a list of Knicks who are guaranteed money in 2012-2013:

Amar'e Stoudemire

Carmelo Anthony

2006 NIT Most Valuable Player 2011 Pan American Games Gold Medalist Dreadlock Champion Number 32 His Humptiness Sir Renaldo Balkman

Who do you cut? It's a tough choice. Stoudemire and Anthony are All-Stars, elite scorers, and major franchise cornerstones. Balkman, as you can see, is the most illustrious of the three. Despite that fact, and despite Exhibit A-- Oh! Of course! I forgot to present Exhibit A. Here's Exhibit A.

Exhibit A:

So, anyway, despite his being the most decorated Knick and despite the above masterpiece, Balkman is widely considered to be the Knicks' most logical choice for amnesty clause expulsion. Baffling. Seriously, though, Jon of The Knicks FanBlog makes a legitimate case, harrowing as it may be, for saving that amnesty move as long as possible (something that's already being discussed here), because you never know what might happen to one of the other guys on that list [knocks violently on every wooden surface and tree in a one-mile radius]. It's paranoid, sure, but holding off on the amnesty stuff would prepare the Knicks for the very worst [re-knocks on everything, just to be sure] and also keep Humpty around for another year. Win-win!

While we're on the topic, Tommy Beer compiled a list of big men who MIGHT become available if that amnesty clause goes into effect. Might. It's certainly worth a look. Thoughts, children?

P.S.: The black-and-white thing is a network-wide middle finger to the NBA lockout and the games we're missing starting tonight. It'll be gone soon.

Today feels like a pretty big day. All the smart people are saying that there's at least a possibility of reaching an agreement. Of course, all this positivity could be a big ruse and things could take a turn for the worse. Either way, there's plenty to talk about. Also worth discussing, if you're so inclined, is the possibility of a new amnesty clause with a two-year grace period, among other system issues that are (hopefully) getting resolved in some fashion.

I'll update with any news throughout the day. In the meantime, here's a dancin' duck: