When the NBA released the 2011-2012 schedule on July 19, the season was slated to start on Nov. 1. We should have seen the defending champs, the Dallas Mavericks, take on reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and the rest of the Mavs should have received their championship rings.

However, none of this took place because the NBA is currently under a lockout. League commissioner David Stern announced the cancellation of games for the month of November in a press conference on Oct. 28. The entire 2011-2012 season could be wiped out.

The last NBA lockout occurred in 1998, and a condensed 50 game season was played that year. This could be the best case scenario for 2011. If and when an agreement is reached, the league will need to provide time for free agency and training camps.

So, what’s the holdup here? The owners and players can’t agree on how the league’s revenue sharing should be split. According to figures released on NBA.com, owners have proposed a 50/50 split while players have said they will accept no less than 52.5 percent. Previously, players took in 57 percent of the league’s revenue.  Owners claimed to have lost millions under that deal and want a more even split.

In comparison, the NFL and the NBA both experienced lockouts this year, but the NFL reached an agreement before the season started. According to NFL reporter Chris Mortenson on ESPN.com, NFL players will earn 48 percent of the league’s revenue in the NFL’s new agreement. Under the previous deal, NFL players took in approximately 60 percent of the pot. Clearly, NFL players sacrificed some cash to get a deal done. Now why can’t NBA players do the same?

NBA players had a sweet deal taking in 57 percent and it’s understandable that they’re opposed to dropping to 50 percent. Of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, NBA players are paid the most money on average. According to NBA.com writer Steve Aschburner, the average NBA players’ salary last season was $5.15 million, which more than doubled the average NFL salary of $1.9 million.

Sure, NBA players stand to lose some money by taking a deal for 50 percent. HoopsHype.com reports that Kobe Bryant makes $25 million per year. Does he really need that much? Kobe and the rest of the NBA could get by with a little less.

Speaking of Kobe, he’s considering an offer to play in Italy this year. With the potential for no NBA basketball this season, dozens of players have already signed to play overseas. ESPN.com is tracking the overseas player movement, and the list of players going abroad includes New Jersey Nets all-star Deron Williams (Turkey), the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (France), and the Denver Nuggets’ Kenyon Martin (China). It’s worth noting that most players going overseas have signed contracts that allow them to return to the NBA immediately once the lockout is lifted.

The owners and players have been meeting at length lately, but no deal has been reached. I’m putting the onus on the players to get a deal done, because since when is 50/50 not fair?