This catches most observers by surprise. Smith, who was never a player, is almost certainly the least polarizing of the remaining candidates. The way I figure it, a less polarizing diretor means a stronger, more unified union. A stronger union is more capable of accepting a CBA which the union leadership thinks is a good idea, but which looks bad to the players and agents. A weaker union might have had to reject such a deal, due to internal political considerations. That significantly increases the chances that a CBA gets done sooner rather than later. I'm still betting on an uncapped 2010, but I'm more willing to entertain the possibility of a deal before then.