Players union files suit vs. NBA

[Andrew]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The players' association filed two unfair labor practice charges Friday against the NBA over issues with the new ball and the league's crackdown on player complaints.

The charges were filed with the National Labor Relations Board.

"I think that's right within the NBA's wheelhouse," Dallas owner Mark Cuban said. "They say the NBA stands for `Nothing But Attorneys,' so we're going to be great at dealing with those issues."

A number of players publicly have complained about changing the ball from leather to a microfiber composite. Although players are adjusting to the new ball, they're having a much harder time with the crackdown on reactions after the whistle, often referred to as a "zero-tolerance policy."

Full story here

It's good to see them taking a stand though I don't know how successful it will be, particularly when the league will no doubt try to take advantage of this loophole:

The section of the CBA regarding On-Court Conduct, states, in part:

"Prior to the date on which any new rule promulgated by the NBA becomes effective, the NBA shall provide notice of such new rule to the Players Association and consult with the Players Association with respect thereto."

The crackdown isn't a new rule, however, but rather a point of emphasis. Under Stern's directive, players are fined $1,000 for each of their first five technicals. The fine increases by $500 for each five after that, capped by a $2,500 penalty for each one starting with the 16th. A one-game suspension also comes at that point and for every other technical thereafter.

[dada]

Heard about this either last night or this morning. Should be interesting to see how it plays out. I doubt the union will win honestly, its something they'll just have to live with. I dont see hoqw strong a case they have against the ball either considering scoring is up from last year and apparently scoring off the glass is somewhat easier with it.

[Axel]

NBA Player's Association is polar opposite of MLB's. NBA's is too weak, but the MLB Player Assn gets essentially whatever it wants. Personally I think Stern has too much control, but thats unlikely to change unless the players association becomes a little stronger.

[cyanide]

I read that it'll most likely get thrown out since it is the NBA's league and that they can do whatever they want. I don't know how much of that is true, but I doubt they would do anything about the balls since scoring hasn't changed and there's just a bunch of players whining about it. As for the quicker T's, they might make a case on freedom of speech, but not sure how far that'll go.

[ThaLiveKing]

No one likes David Stern. . .This shows the NBA can do whatever they want, when they want!!

[Its_asdf]

^Don't get too excited... The player's association simply is getting fed up with all of the new "rules" being implemented, we're not even sure if Stern will lift a finger after this.

[Silas]

I like the crackdown on technicals. Whining never accomplishes anything. 99% of the time the refs aren't going to change the call because of what a player says. Players never think they commit the fouls that actually commit. I bet that they actually only admit to a quarter of the fouls they are called for.

Though I think at times it can be a bit too strict, I think its better than it was before. There's always something to complain about but if you look at all the complaining in the past, this is better.

Complaining only takes away from the game, and I think every step the NBA takes to make the game more like it should be is a good step.

[Patr1ck]

I just hope they don't go on strike.

I don't think there is anything wrong with discussing calls with the referee as long as its during official breaks/timeouts. Players are human, and should have the freedom of being emotional, without having to be a basketball robot, but of course there is a line for that emotion and it is drawn by the referee's/league.

Isn't the new ball similar to the synthetic composite that is used for indoor/outdoor balls?

[Andrew]

^Don't get too excited... The player's association simply is getting fed up with all of the new "rules" being implemented, we're not even sure if Stern will lift a finger after this.

Oh, no question. It wouldn't surprise me if all if the league basically says to the players and NBAPA "Sorry, deal with it" and exploits the loophole of the change in policy being a point of emphasis rather than an actual change to the rules.

I just hope they don't go on strike.

Perhaps it's making too big a deal out of these proceedings but that thought has crossed my mind too. A souring relationship between the league and NBAPA is in no way good for the league and another lockout won't endear either side to the fans. There's no immediate danger of that happening since the current CBA won't expire for a few years but you have to wonder if these issues are going to cause problems next time both sides sit down to work out a new CBA; especially if the NBA keeps making changes with an attitude of "This is what we've decided, you'll just have to learn to live with it."

[DatYellowGuy]

Definately not going to be taken seriously since Mark Cuban said something about it....

[BIG GREEN]

It's about time these guys atleast tried to step their game up. They havent been doing shit while stern are gotten away with murder.

[Axel]

Stern just seems like the kid who got beat up and picked on at school, probably by the same type of people who he has control over now. He likes that control and probably views it as vindication for all the shit he put up with when he was a kid.

[J@3]

I think the changes (apart from the new ball) that he's made are good. The players can't dress like rapper wannabe's anymore and they all have to stop bitching at the refs. I see no problem with any of this. I also don't see how it's racist considering like 75% of the league is black, it's pretty much impossible for any white guys to be the biggest majority rule breakers just based on sheer numbers.

[ThaLiveKing]

How do they dress like Rappers Wanna be? It's called Urban Culture, that's how urban people dress, not everyone is comfortable in suits and ties. . .of course it's associated with Rap/ Hip hop cause it represents the streets. Where do you think we learn to play basketball? In our office jobs? No, on the playground.

The NBA is becoming too corporate, you can't even get good seats now because all the business owners are buying em up. that's why Stern is making all these rule changes, dress code changes, to make it appeal to the corporate world.

[cyanide]

How do they dress like Rappers Wanna be? It's called Urban Culture, that's how urban people dress, not everyone is comfortable in suits and ties. . .of course it's associated with Rap/ Hip hop cause it represents the streets. Where do you think we learn to play basketball? In our office jobs? No, on the playground.

It reflects a negative lifestyle, where the streets reflect poverty, drugs, and gang warfare. If the NBA reflects that, then there's a problem.

The NBA is becoming too corporate, you can't even get good seats now because all the business owners are buying em up. that's why Stern is making all these rule changes, dress code changes, to make it appeal to the corporate world.

No, because the NBA is a professional association. Every athlete are essentially multi-millionaires, and they are expected to behave and act like a professional.

[J@3]

How do they dress like Rappers Wanna be?

.of course it's associated with Rap/ Hip hop

Er...

And the NBA is becoming too corporate? It's a multi billion dollar company, of course it's corporate ffs.

[ThaLiveKing]

I meant it's going more corporate with its Fans, I mean you can't go to a Raptors game this year and get good seats, you're either behind the basket or up in the Upper Bowl. Which is why I invested in a Big Screen HD TV, so I can watch the game from close up

so what if the players are millionares, they should be able to wear what they want, No one had a problem with it until last year, which is why they changed the rule. There's nothing wrong with being casual, but there's nothing wrong with wanting to wear T-shirts and Jeans to a game, the NBA should have just said dress appropriate instead of telling them what to wear. Or maybe just have a strict dress code for the playoffs, cause those teams are really under the spot light!!

Look at the majority of NBA players. . .I'm sure a lot of them came from Poverty, and lived in bad neighborhoods. I'm just saying that's where they are from, so no matter if you throw a suit on them, it still isn't going to change them or change the way the public views NBA Players!! Also Stern is taking away all the emotions players are supposed to have with all this Zero Tolerance bullshit. I mean I've seen Techs that shouldn't even be Techs, players are like robots now, they cant do nothing without getting T'd Up and Fined. Which the money goes back to Stern's pocket

Look at it this way:

If Shawn Kemp dunked on that guy and pointed on him, he would have gotten T'd up based on the rules today. Back then it wasn't even a major issue. Stern decided to switch the image based on 1 isolated incident (Pacers/Pistons brawl) because the NBA suddenly had thugs. When Back then, There was so many fights say between the Charlotte Hornets/ Miami heat. . .LJ Vs Mourning. Knicks Vs Charlotte. . .Remember when Van Gundy got Stomped on lol!! The NBA didn't do anything to change it then. All this change is based on 1 isolated incident, and 1 man, Ron Artest

The Ron Artest situation was bad, but it wasn't bad enough to change everything, from the Rules, to the ball, to the dress code. The NBA is trying to intimidate it's players, and it's wrong. They change the CBA rule so the players have to be 19 to enter the league, WHY? when most of it's All-stars are from High School. Those are the ones who's Jerseys are selling, those are the ones who bring the people into the buildings!!

I'm not trying to argue, just voicing my opinion, if you don't agree with me, then it's fine!!

/Waits for post to get dissected AGAIN

[cyanide]

ThaLiveKing: Here's a nice article that's kinda relevant:

"If you walk around with jeans hanging off, a bandana on, then people are going to treat you like a kid," he said. "I remember Kevin Garnett, they used to call him The Kid. Third year in the league, he comes to me, 'Man, I'm so sick of them calling me The Kid. I'm a grown man.' I said, 'When you start dressing like one, they'll stop calling you The Kid.' ''

Also, if you were a lawyer and a client comes in, do you think the client will still hire that lawyer if he dresses like a gangsta? Or vice versa? No, you lose credibility and professionalism in your profession. If you were poor, you stay poor. If you were poor and become rich, then hell, why not look like one instead of looking like a shadow of your past? If you want to stay within your roots, then donate all that money to charity and live among the streets.

[ThaLiveKing]

It's funny I read that in the Sun today lol!!

I agree with what you are saying, but not everyone thinks like that!! Plus why would any one going to a job interview dress like a gangsta? I wouldn't hire him neither!! You have to dress for your profession, and playing basketball, you should just dress normal, Not Gangsta, Not Bill Gates style, just your everday wear and look proper. When Big Events come, you should dress to impress

But then again, I've seen NBA players now wear Polo Shirts and jeans, a more casual look, does that mean they are gangstas? Cause gangsta's wear the same thing, they just don't have the flags to go with it!! I mean I could buy stuff off NBA.com and still look "Gangsta" In them, does that mean they should change the way the uniforms, Shooting shirts etc, look? No. People just assume a certain way of dressing is Gangsta, when it isn't!! It's Urban Fashion. It's how urban people dress and look. Not everyone wears suits 24/7 like David Stern lol!! You see my point or No?