"But," he added, "we have to continue to stay proactive in making sure that going forward our game is in a good position. And what I would like to see is, instead of everything getting pushed off until right before the possibility of a lockout year, that both sides get a lot of work done so the next time an opportunity comes for a new deal we all pretty much know what we need to do and how to do it."

Fisher concedes that's not exactly the American way, but, he said, "I would like for us to get as close as possible."

"Both sides," he added, "don't have really very many reasons to complain about things."

OKUR'S WORLD: Jazz All-Star Mehmet Okur's wife, Yeliz, who is eight months pregnant, received her doctor's permission to fly here to watch her husband play in Sunday's showcase.

Because Okur wasn't named as a replacement player until earlier this week, however, his parents didn't have enough time to arrange a quick trip from his native Turkey.

Back home, Okur said, fans have been "going crazy" over his selection as the first Turk to play in an NBA All-Star Game.

"They're all excited right now, and they can't wait," he said. "They want to see me out there Sunday."

How does he know?

"Because I've been on the phone last couple days," said Okur, who spent his first-ever night in Las Vegas eating Chinese food with Russian teammate Andrei Kirilenko. "I got calls from friends, family. They told me."

BANKING ON BARKLEY: Probably no one looking to keep their money would bet on ex-NBA star and current TNT commentator Charles Barkley in his televised footrace tonight — three lengths of the court — with longtime NBA referee Dick Bavetta.

Barkley, though, does have at least one backer among the league's All-Stars.

"I'll go with Chuck," Okur said.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com