I will not be the next Executive Director of the players union. I got word of my rejection via e-mail, with no further explanation, so I decided to use my column this week to describe what is going on during the selection process, and what a shame it is. NBA players and all athletes in general have a pretty miserable track record at many things. Outside of actually playing basketball or another sport, their skills don’t necessarily translate into being successful in
We knew things would get ugly when Derek Fisher and the NBPA looked to oust Billy Hunter from his position after the lockout debacle. The ugliness is now in full motion with Hunter suing Fisher and his former employer for a large sum of money, with a bit of a twist in his story telling. Find that, the latest update on Kobe Bryant and much more below. STORY OF THE DAY: Billy Hunter is reportedly suing Derek Fisher, his business manager and
NBA players recently held their annual meeting in Las Vegas and elected Chris Paul as the new president of the National Basketball Players Association. The union is in the middle of the most controversial period in its history, which is as old as the shot clock. It was founded by Bob Cousy in 1954 and finally recognized as the players’ exclusive union in 1964. I was a member for 18 years and worked with every executive director in its history. When Billy
The state of the National Basketball Players’ Association, as some—like Miami Heat star LeBron James—see it, is in disarray and in need of new leadership. Others, like Jerry Stackhouse—who serves as first vice-president on the executive committee, believe that the committee is making strides to correct things from within. Nevertheless, the end of Derek Fisher’s tenure as union president leaves the committee in need of a new leader. Until only days ago, King James was considering making a run at the union throne.
The NBA is about to go through one of its most important transitions in history. In fact, it is going through several simultaneously. While some are dramatic and others symbolic, the final cumulative effect should be an evolution — not a revolution. The most public and obvious is the retirement of Commissioner David Stern and the ascension of Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver to that powerful post. While their styles are very different, the succession has been planned out and should be very
HOUSTON — Adios, Billy Hunter. Today, after the players’ union’s annual All-Star meeting, Derek Fisher announced that the National Basketball Players Association has terminated the employment of Hunter. Additionally, the union has elected new leadership. [Read more…]
Good Westbrook, Bad Westbrook will certainly be the title of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of our time. The only problem is that Russell Westbrook is the one that’s writing it. He’s at it again, and while the root of the incident itself is relatively minor, the bigger picture looms large over the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship quest. Teams as cohesive and talented as OKC die from internal – not external – wounds, and as long as Westbrook continues to ride like
NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter has been placed on indefinite leave, the first step in removing the embattled union chief from his position. The news comes from both Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports and the NBC Sports Network. Hunter has been temporarily replaced by union general counsel Ron Klempner. [Read more…]