LOS ANGELES -- After months of optimism on both sides, Carmelo Anthony now says hes skeptical that the NBA Players Association and owners will be able reach a new collective bargaining agreement before Thursdays deadline.Im skeptical of something getting done, Anthony, vice president of the NBPA, told ESPN after the New York Knicks practiced Saturday in Los Angeles. Do I think something could happen by the 15th? Yeah, I think something could happen. But I think this kind of put a dent in conversations. We had something so close. We were supposed to have a deal done weeks ago, and for this to happen at the 25th hour is tough.According to ESPN.coms Marc Stein, sources on both ?sides of the negotiating table nonetheless expressed optimism Saturday night -- despite the late snag and Anthonys pessimistic forecast -- that a new labor deal remains within sight.Sources told Stein that control over licensing matters and the use of player likenesses has emerged as a significant issue in the latter stages of the labor talks.Clippers guard Chris Paul, president of the players association, said he hadnt been aware of Anthonys comments but said, Im not doubting that happened.But we are working tirelessly when were not in the game. Were trying to make sure we can reach an agreement and get a deal done, Paul said after the Clippers 133-105 win over the Pelicans.?When asked if he was optimistic, Paul replied:?Very. Youve got to be. Why not?That is a sentiment shared by another marquee player.We got to stay optimistic, LeBron James said after the Cavaliers 116-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets. But obviously, Melo is saying he has some concerns with it. We still got a few days, we still got a few days. Obviously, our game right now is the best its ever been, from where it is right here domestically to all the way around the world, so hopefully both sides come to an agreement.The NFL Players Association, for example, has control over licensing and the use of player likenesses. In the NBA, licensing control is maintained by the league in exchange for an annual flat fee in the millions, but the NBPA has been known to covet an arrangement more in line with the NFLs.?Thursday is the deadline for either side to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. The league and union would actually have until June 30, 2017, when the current CBA expires, to hash out a new deal in the event either side opts out.But the sides, as Anthony noted, have been close to a deal for some time, with one source telling ESPN.coms Dave McMenamin that representatives for both parties have been meeting multiple times daily the past week.Anthony declined to go into the specifics of the late snag in CBA talks, but he reiterated that as players, we want to get a deal done.ESPNs Jovan Buha contributed to this report.? Air Max 97 Ireland . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. Air Max 97 Ireland Cheap . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. http://www.airmax97cheapireland.com/ . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Cheap Air Max 97 Wholesale . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Air Max 97 Outlet . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead.Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal deserves credit for putting faith in his younger players, says Graeme Souness. Marcus Rashford, 18, scored the winner for United in the Manchester derby on Super Sunday, bringing them to within a point of City in the race for the top four.Jesse Lingard also put in a fine performance, alongside Frenchman Anthony Martial, and Souness gave Van Gaal credit for sticking with the youth players for such a big game. Marcus Rashford celebrates with team-mates after scoring the winner I think United will be much encouraged by the way the young players played in the first half. When City were going after them, it showed [United] had pace and imagination on the break. I think Martial is going to be an absolute star, given hes only 20 years old.United were really good today, and I think the manager deserves much credit. We get after him all of the time but he deserves credit. Man City 0-1 Man Utd Marcus Rashford scored on his Manchester derby debut as United all but ended Citys title hopes Sticking with these young guys, I think we picked holes in playing the young ones all the time before the game, but they came good for them today.First half they were very threatening on the break, obviously they expected to spend a lot of time without the ball.In the second half, after getting their goal, City have huffed and puffed but United stood firm. Van Gaal has been under pressure for much of the season at United When you tthink De Gea had only three saves to make on 90 minutes, tells you the guys in front of him did a really good job.ddddddddddddRashford was a menace for Manchester City centre-back Martin Demichelis throughout the first half, and has now scored five goals in his first eight appearances for the club.Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn was impressed with the youngsters showing at the Etihad, and says Van Gaals side looked like the United of old at times. Van Gaal gives his reaction to Sky Sports after his sides 1-0 win To do it with youthful exuberance is one thing. But to do it with such skill and panache is something else.[Rashford] knew when he was getting onto that pitch that he was going to have a go at Demichelis.There were times in the first half where they looked like the old Manchester United, and thats a great compliment to give that side and the manager. 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