NBA commissioner David Stern is sounding rather pessimistic about playing basketball this season. Stern said Thursday in an interview with NBA TV that if significant progress toward a labor deal isn't reached early next week, the entire 2011-12 season could be lost. The league and union are slated to meet Monday with a federal mediator in an effort to work out a new collective bargaining agreement. The NBA locked out its players July 1st after the old CBA expired.