John Wall unhappy with David Stern

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NEW YORK -- Washington Wizards guard John Wall isn't very happy with NBA commissioner David Stern these days.

"I think he's trying to take advantage of us," Wall said of Stern, who's representing the league and owners in the NBA lockout. "I think we're doing a great job of not biting [and doing] what he wants us to do."

Stern and NBA owners have met with representatives for the players under the watch of a federal mediator for the past two days.

Talks are expected to continue on Thursday.

But it is unclear how much progress is being made toward an agreement to end the lockout, which began on June 30.

Wall said Wednesday that the 111-day wait has been "very frustrating."

But he commended the players for staying strong, disagreeing with comments made last week by Wizards teammate JaVale McGee that some were "ready to fold."

"I think we're doing a great job of sitting back and being patient and [waiting to take] the deal that we want to take," said Wall, who was at a Manhattan Footlocker on Wednesday to promote his new Reebok "Zig Encore" sneaker.

Wall

He added: "Everybody knows we want to play basketball. Our fans want to see us play. We want to play. We've just got to sit back and make sure we get the right deal that benefits us down the road, especially us young guys."

Stern cancelled the first two weeks of the season -- exactly 100 games -- earlier this month. He has warned that more games may be cancelled if a deal is not brought to the owners this week.

The sides entered talks this week far apart on many important issues, including the division of revenues and the structure of the salary cap system.

Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

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