Wow, I didn't expect Stern to back down so completely. The players' union must be pretty energized by this capitulation.
I bet this has more to do with legal pressure than anything else. Massive victory for the player's union. Everyone criticizes Billy Hunter, but this is a big coup in the battle for leverage. Kudos to him. Thanks mercury. You're ok in my book!
I wonder if the players union could get those mini rubber basketballs put into play. Then everyone would shoot freethrows like Shaq.
Stern really didn't have a legal leg to stand on on this one. And a legal battle with the union would only hurt the NBA.
You are absolutely correct. I've been on many of these bargaining negotiations and Stern had three big strikes against him: Scientific evidence of that the ball was far removed as an equal replacement as an instrument used by professionals who make their living by using it. Medical evidence that the ball was causing abrasive contusions (bruises and blisters) with the possibility of further dermal damage which would result in players altering or being unable to properly feel the ball. The Union was threatening to expand the scope. This would take an eventual turn in a counter campaign by the Union about proper representation, and due process given toward employee rights. Stern had no choice, but to back down or face an embarrassing PR campaign, even thought the NRLB would have favored Stern. The real victor in this is Cuban. He took the most logical approach (as programmers are trained to do) and started gathering empirical evidence. It was a matter of the dominoes falling in a consistent order. The real loser was not Stern, who is very good at what he does. The real losers are the owners. Corporate followers (and as some would say) that display industrial and business aristocracy fascism.
BS. The real loser IS Stern. I dont have the rule by which Stern realized his mistake but, he decided to switch back to the leather ball because it states, if a change is made (changing the ball etc.) the players union must be made aware of certain changes. The union was not consulted nor made aware of the changing of the ball. Everything else (cuts, contusions, etc..) added strength to the case.
Agreed Dlev, but I think pass' point is to look beyond Stern, as he is merely a representative of the owners, and recognize whose agenda this really was at the highest level.
Here is a snippet from the official press release. It looks like the leak forced the league's hand. I'm sure they don't like to make announcements like this on a Monday. True Hoop: Marc Stein: Welcome Back, Old Leather Balls
I really think that the players are just pouting because this rule was forced on them. And I can't believe that guys are really getting cuts from this thing. It's a ball, not a boomerang. If Lebron would have said that he liked the ball, then they would not be changing back. You have a large percentage of players saying that they like it and/or have gotten used to it.
Point taken, however, I believe Stern had the final OK on the issue. No proof, just My opinion. He just seems like an arrogant SOB, who says this is how it`s going to be and you can`t do anything about it. Not this time though.........
Finally the players got some imput. It seems to me that Stern wants to control everything in the NBA. The players, owners, fans, the equipment, the music, the clothes, the game rules. Why not just name him Mr Basketball the Almighty Power, and be done with it. The owners need to speak up before the little butthead gives himself any more authority. The players are people not pieces of equipment or members of the military. Players deserve to be treated as adults. Playing for the NBA does not mean letting David Stern run every aspect of your life!!
It's an SI players poll. As far as I know, it is not an NBA poll. They would never release results this damning. Players over 30 are the ones pulling down the big bucks. Just ask Chauncey Billups. He's been dying to turn 30!
