Players Union Files Suit against the NBA Over the New Balls.
December 3rd 2006 03:14
The headline is accurate readers – the NBA Players Association has initiated legal action against the NBA in regards to the new basketball and the league’s
crackdown on complaints by officials during games.
Any readers out there would have noticed that refs have been mandated to show little tolerance to perceived insubordination by players towards their authority. As a consequence the refs have been dishing out technical fouls like they have been going out of fashion.
The new law has been labelled the ‘Rasheed Wallace Rule’.
Since the introduction of the new microfiber ball during the preseason, players have voiced their disapproval over the quality of the orange orb.
LeBron James has been one of the players that has been most vocal in the criticism of the basketball stating that; “Honestly, it gets to a point where, you can change the way our shorts are, you know, you can change if our wristbands are too high, you can change the dress code…That's something that's controllable. But when it gets to the point where you change the basketball which, this is what we use every single day. Every single day, every single minute, 82 games. Plus preseason, plus playoffs. It just kind of didn't make sense. The only thing that we love the most is the basketball. That's your comfort. I mean, without your basketball, it doesn't work. That was my biggest problem, was, why would you change something that means so much to us? It didn't make sense to me at all.” (Mahoney, Yahoo! Sports, 2006).
Simply put Bron-Bron loves his balls, I mean ball.
NBALOUD has noticed while watching games that the new ball sounds different when being bounced by players and seems to go dead when hitting rim sometime with the occasional bad shots rolling in. Scoring has been up and the introduction of the synthetic basketball might have been a significant reason why points have been jacked up.
The other and perhaps bigger beef the players association has with the league is the emphasis on T’ing up players if they express the slightest disagreement to a call made by an official. This is perhaps the most short-sighted move made by the NBA because it denies fans the chance to see some real human emotion in the game, while curbing the natural reaction of humans to complain!
David Stern the commissioner of the NBA has directed league officials to fine players for each technical foul they receive - $1000 for the first five technical fouls, $500 for every ‘T’ after that. The fines are capped at $2500 after 16 in which suspensions come into play.
A number of players have also expressed disappointment that the league head office didn’t consult any of its players about the rule changes and the introduction of the new balls.
Players Association executive Billy Hunter who represents the interests of the players articulated his members feelings by saying that “Our obligation to represent our membership dictates the filing of these actions," he 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.” (Ticker, 2006)
The worst nightmare for NBA players. Being gang bashed by the new balls. (Garrett Ellwood / NBAE / Getty Image)
Any readers out there would have noticed that refs have been mandated to show little tolerance to perceived insubordination by players towards their authority. As a consequence the refs have been dishing out technical fouls like they have been going out of fashion.
The new law has been labelled the ‘Rasheed Wallace Rule’.
Since the introduction of the new microfiber ball during the preseason, players have voiced their disapproval over the quality of the orange orb.
LeBron James has been one of the players that has been most vocal in the criticism of the basketball stating that; “Honestly, it gets to a point where, you can change the way our shorts are, you know, you can change if our wristbands are too high, you can change the dress code…That's something that's controllable. But when it gets to the point where you change the basketball which, this is what we use every single day. Every single day, every single minute, 82 games. Plus preseason, plus playoffs. It just kind of didn't make sense. The only thing that we love the most is the basketball. That's your comfort. I mean, without your basketball, it doesn't work. That was my biggest problem, was, why would you change something that means so much to us? It didn't make sense to me at all.” (Mahoney, Yahoo! Sports, 2006).
Simply put Bron-Bron loves his balls, I mean ball.
Players probably want to banish the ball to a Russian gulag. (Jennifer Pottheiser / Getty Images)
The other and perhaps bigger beef the players association has with the league is the emphasis on T’ing up players if they express the slightest disagreement to a call made by an official. This is perhaps the most short-sighted move made by the NBA because it denies fans the chance to see some real human emotion in the game, while curbing the natural reaction of humans to complain!
David Stern the commissioner of the NBA has directed league officials to fine players for each technical foul they receive - $1000 for the first five technical fouls, $500 for every ‘T’ after that. The fines are capped at $2500 after 16 in which suspensions come into play.
A number of players have also expressed disappointment that the league head office didn’t consult any of its players about the rule changes and the introduction of the new balls.
Players Association executive Billy Hunter who represents the interests of the players articulated his members feelings by saying that “Our obligation to represent our membership dictates the filing of these actions," he 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.” (Ticker, 2006)
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Comment by TonyK
AFL Central
NBL News
Allow players the opportunity to ask why the call went against them rather than shutting them out completely.
For the betterment of the game I think.
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Eric
Mal Gadget
Do you have journalism experience?
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Yet, there are soooo good, that the game still continues relatively unscathed.
I agree with the previous comment--you are a good writer Stanley.
Comment by Stanley
deorre - thanks mate but i wouldn't have said i was a good writer on these blogs. i don't proof read them like i usually do which is a tad naughty.
in response to your comment yes the ball was introduced to up the scoring and it has worked wonders just like baseball with their juiced up balls for my home runs.
players just have to lump the new ball because it's here to stay. they should start sleeping with the ball at nights and taking it to the toilet with them so they can get a 'feel' if they're complaining so much!
Comment by Eric
Mal Gadget
Your posts kind of feel like a special report instead of a regular blog post.
I like it. I like it a lot.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Daressi
Comment by Stanley
but thanks all the same your comments are very much appreciated.
cibby - yeah the 'thud' of the bounce isn't as vibrant as the old ball. it sounds dead to me.
darko - thanks champ. you know my other degree i am finishing off is a law degree! but sports journalism would be a dream!
and if you do end up asking no i have no intention of doing law. and yes i don't like lawyers they suck!