Union gets on ball, files unfair labor suit against NBA

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.

A number of players publicly have complained about the change in the ball from leather to microfiber composite. But the crackdown on complaints after the whistle, often referred to as a "zero-tolerance policy," might be the bigger problem.

With players fined for each technical they receive, union director Billy Hunter told The Associated Press last month that a lawsuit could be the next step if NBA commissioner David Stern didn't tell the referees to "back off."

NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said the league was "reviewing what they have filed."

"Our obligation to represent our membership dictates the filing of these actions," Hunter said in a statement. "There is virtual unanimity amongst the players about their concerns and intense dislike for the new synthetic ball and the 'zero tolerance' policy.

"After extensive consultation with our membership and player leadership we determined that this was the appropriate course of action."

The union feels it was entitled to have input on both changes before they were put into play. The section of the collective bargaining agreement titled 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."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2682848

testicle fortitude came too little too late. Stern is the mad dictator, and no one can stop him.

good for them. especially about the stupid emphasis on player reactions. there was a middle ground they could have worked with, but it's gone completely insane.

sheed got another tech tonight for pretty much nothing. long drawn out debates and gesturing and running around the court should get a tech. but i haven't seen that this year and yet they're still giving away techs faster than cucumbers in a women's prison.

it's ridiculous. unfortunately i dont' see them winning since this is not a new rule. it is merely the emphasis of an old existing rule.

Sheed's tech happened just a couple seconds he got whapped in the face and the ref didn't see it. I'd love to whap some of these refs in the face and see if they don't get uppity for just a couple seconds. That was a stupidly quick whistle... zero tolerance run amok.

What the hell is wrong with showing some emotion? Stern is a mad dictator, maybe the only way the NBA can accomodate natural human reactions (to ****ing horrible calls usually, I might add) is by filing this suit.

you got fucking censored?

Haha, I haven't been to the boards in a while, didn't know that i could say FUCK and SHIT without the realgm mods censoring me... it won't happen again

The players should start showing no emotion in post game interviews to get back at stern. When asked about the win that night they should simply say that the league doesn't want them to exibit any emotion so they have no comment.

Both teams played hard.

The players should start showing no emotion in post game interviews to get back at stern. When asked about the win that night they should simply say that the league doesn't want them to exibit any emotion so they have no comment.
Are Spock-ears against Stern's dress code?