NBPA President Derek Fisher denies reports of a rift in players union – NBA Update
Derek Fisher has shot down any suggestions of unease within the ranks of players.
The President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) issued a letter to NBA players in this regard and assured them that there was no rift at all between him and Billy Hunter.
"Usually I wouldn't even dignify absurd media reports with a comment. But before these reports go any further, let me say on the record to each of you, my loyalty has and always will be with the players," Fisher wrote in a letter.
"Anyone that questions that or doubts that does not know me, my history, and what I stand for.”
In a recent media report, it was alleged that Fisher might be helping NBA Commissioner David Stern in the ongoing NBA labour negotiations, to the detriment of player interests. The report alleged that the Los Angeles Lakers point
guard had promised Stern that he would get the union to sign a deal at a 50-50 split of the Basketball Related Income.
It was also alleged that Fisher clashed with executive director Billy Hunter after talks broke down Wednesday. Fisher, aside from moving quickly to dispel such assertions, also reacted angrily at being questioned in such a manner.
"And quite frankly, how dare anyone call that into question. The Players Association is united and any reports to the contrary are false.”
The Lakers man categorically denied all allegations and insisted that he was doing his best to get a fair deal for the NBA players.
“There have been no side agreements, no side negotiations or anything close. We are united in serving you and presenting the best options and getting everyone back to work." He said in the letter.
The lockout began on July 1st after the expiry of the previous CBA, and negotiations have been underway since then to try and find a solution. However the two sides are miles apart on the key issues of salary cap and
BRI split, and the tension gets higher every day.
The NBA has already cancelled a whole month of games, and chances for a season at this point seem slim. The players have been preaching solidarity right from the beginning but it would be worrying for them that such reports are
now surfacing.
The lockout is at a critical point now, with players set to miss their first pay checks on November 16, their resolves are bound to weaken with each passing day. That is exactly what the NBA owners and Commissioner Stern are counting
on, as they have deliberately slowed down the negotiating process to gain an advantage of the pressure being built up on the players.
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