*Jerry West will appear at a book signing 6 p.m. Wednesday at L.A. Live's ESPN Zone to promote his recent autobiograhpy, West by West, My Charmed, Tormented Life.

--Sports Business Journal talks with NBA players union executive director Billy Hunter, who denied disagreeing with President Derek Fisher about taking a 50-50 split in basketball-related income.

--Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock reported Fisher promised NBA Commissioner David Stern he could deliver the union at 50-50, causing Hunter and at least one executive committee member to confront Fisher about reassessing. 

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan highlights the various NBA player reactions via Twitter over the lockout.

--NBA.com's David Aldridge argues the players union needs to take the deal. 

--Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick obtained details of Friday's negotiations and breaks down the various issues that are either resolved, mostly resolved or unresolved. 

--The New York Times' Howard Beck reports both sides are separated by about $100 million per year. 

--CBSSports' Ken Berger faults the hard-liners on both sides. 

--Sheridan Hoops' Mark Heisler predicts both sides will reach a deal by the end of the week. 

--The Orange County Register's Jeff Miller argues the casual sports fan doesn't care about the NBA until Christmas Day. 

--ESPN Los Angeles' Andy Kamenetzkytalks with Denver Nuggets guard and former UCLA product Aaron Afflalo about growing up playing in L.A. 

--Forum Blue and Gold's Darius Soriano believes the NBA lockout will end soon. 

Tweet of the Day: "Major focus of Brown's playbook in LAL: post ups; low post scoring; focus in Cleveland was pick and roll sets." -- LakersReporter(Lakers.com's Mike Trudell)

--Mark Medina

Email the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com and follow on Facebook.

Photo: Derek Fisher, president of the NBA players' union, addresses the media flanked by Billy Hunter, right, the executive director of the union after a recent negotiating session in New York. Credit: Bebeto Matthews / Associated Press / October 4, 2011