It has been nearly a month since the lockout began, but now it seems the NBA owners and players are ready to get serious about coming to a resolution.

Both sides will resume talks about a new collective bargaining agreement Monday for the first time since the owners locked the players out July 1, according to the Associated Press. There have been talks between the two sides’ representatives but this meeting Monday is expected to involve Commissioner David Stern, union head Billy Hunter and president Derek Fisher for the first time.

But while this certainly is a sign of progress, the reality is the differences between the owners’ demands and what the players are willing to give could lead to a work stoppage longer than the one that forced the NBA to reduce its schedule to 50 games during the 1998-99 season.

The owners are complaining they lost as much as $300 million collectively last season. They don’t believe they can survive under the old CBA, which gave the players a 57 percent stake in league revenues. Prior to June 30, the players had agreed to reduce their revenue share to 54.3 percent, but the owners said that wasn’t deep enough. Instead they proposed a reduction of the players share to 40 percent.

Such a difference along with the owners insistence on a stricter salary cap makes it likely the two sides may not be motivated to come together.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris

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