Disclaimer: this comment from David Stern to union economist Kevin Murphy probably means nothing. (TrueHoop)

As he left the news conference early Thursday morning, after 12 hours of bargaining, Stern stopped in the crowded hallway to converse with union economist Kevin Murphy, who says he is trying to arrange his schedule to be here for the next session to start at noon.

Stern encouraged Murphy to show up, saying, “It will be a good day to be here.”

It was late. Stern was tired. The comment was vague. It didn’t sound like a real promise of a deal. But it certainly didn’t sound like a guy preparing to blow apart the talks with a dramatically lower offer, either.

Stern didn’t necessarily mean the two sides were approaching a deal. He also could have meant, “It will be a good day to be here because…”:

• “… I’m going 15 rounds with Jeffrey Kessler, in the Octagon, and we’re both going to carry weapons.”
• “… Derek Fisher might finally stop complaining about Jason Whitlock. Fisher complains more than Tommy Carcetti did in season four of the Wire. And if Fisher’s Carcetti, then Joe Paterno’s McNulty and Herman Cain is Kima. Cain and Kima both like groping girls, get it? Yes, but it’s still not remotely funny? Okay, well now I know how Whitlock must feel on a daily basis. Anyway, a boxed Wire set goes to anyone who does the damn thang.”
• “… I hear the room service steak at the lockout hotel is to die for.”
• “… at least Paul Allen and Dan Gilbert won’t be there.”

And lastly:

• “… I (finally) convinced Billy Hunter to use deodorant.”