--The Times' Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner mention that the players union appeared to come closer to accepting the owners' demand for a 50-50 split of basketball revenue but wanted victories on peripheral issues. They also noted the NBA work stoppage has lasted longer than the NFL's previous lockout. 

--True Hoop's Henry Abbott believes both sides will agree to a 50-50 split in basketball-related income.

--NBA.com's David Aldridge examines how both sides can use the media in helping themselves get a deal. 

--Fox Sports' Sam Amico remains conflicted on whether both sides are making progress toward a deal.  

--CBS Sports' Ken Berger explains why both sides remain in a stalemate about a deal. 

-True Hoop's Larry Coonexplains how teams' value rises as the owners' split grows. 

--Ball Don't Lie's Kelly Dwyer highlights Rick Barry's criticism of NBA Players Assn. executive director Billy Hunter as "one of the worst things that happened to the NBA."

--ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky wonders who Kobe Bryant's rival is. 

--ESPN.com's Marc Stein explains why no major progress was made in Wednesday's meeting. 

--Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen argues Thursday's meeting will largely determine whether the NBA lockout ends. 

--Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski talks to one league official who believes both sides can reach a deal "in the next day or two."

Tweet of the Day: "My feeling is a deal will happen. If not today then in the near future. They're too close for a canceled season to be the end result." -- thechrispalmer (ESPN The Magazine's Chris Palmer)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day:"I love basketball. I think its totally ridiculous they are fight over the difference of pennies.... whatever happened to the love of the game" -- Linda Lindholm

--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBA players' union, speaks while standing near union president Derek Fisher, left, during a news conference early Thursday morning in New York. Credit: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images