OT: Fisher v Hunter

[MelosSoreWrist]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7834987/report-nba-players-association-executive-committee-votes-resignation-union-president-derek-fisher

Dont know much about the issue, does anyone have any insight to their disagreement?

[Kilroy]

Hunter's a bit of a self-righteous prick...
End of story.

[MelosSoreWrist]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7850941/report-union-paid-billy-hunter-family-millions

I'm not sure what the argument is against Fisher. He wants an independent auditor to review the office. After all the nepotism, it doesnt seem out of line.

[Kilroy]

No it doesn't, and this just strengthens my previous assertion.

[milesfides]

What's up with Mo Evans so vociferously standing up for Billy Hunter against Fisher?

Also, looking over the members of the "executive committee" - Keyon Dooling? Roger Mason Jr.? Matt Bonner? Theo Ratliff and Etan Thomas, not even playing???

I'm cool with Chris Paul and Fish, but where are guys like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, you know, guys who seem to know what's going on, have inherent leadership qualities, different perspectives, you know, something to add to the discussion.

That panel, aside from Chris Paul and Derek Fisher, seem hardly qualified to represent all nba players.

[Wavy Q]

What's up with Mo Evans so vociferously standing up for Billy Hunter against Fisher?

Also, looking over the members of the "executive committee" - Keyon Dooling? Roger Mason Jr.? Matt Bonner? Theo Ratliff and Etan Thomas, not even playing???

I'm cool with Chris Paul and Fish, but where are guys like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, you know, guys who seem to know what's going on, have inherent leadership qualities, different perspectives, you know, something to add to the discussion.

That panel, aside from Chris Paul and Derek Fisher, seem hardly qualified to represent all nba players.

They get scrubs that don't actually play for their teams so they have more time to focus on player needs.

[kobeaki]

What's up with Mo Evans so vociferously standing up for Billy Hunter against Fisher?

Also, looking over the members of the "executive committee" - Keyon Dooling? Roger Mason Jr.? Matt Bonner? Theo Ratliff and Etan Thomas, not even playing???

I'm cool with Chris Paul and Fish, but where are guys like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, you know, guys who seem to know what's going on, have inherent leadership qualities, different perspectives, you know, something to add to the discussion.

That panel, aside from Chris Paul and Derek Fisher, seem hardly qualified to represent all nba players.

what up miles...did evrthing get better up yr way?

[eckoner]

SHADY!

[kobeaki]

SHADY!

ahh, eckoner...all the old school here for the playoffs....stick around guys , the drinks are cold and it doesnt smell too bad...

[MelosSoreWrist]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nbpa-executive-director-billy-hunter-sought-union-investment-for-bank-with-ties-to-son.html

Wow. I feel bad for Pat Garrity. As mentioned by a poster above, the executive board needs more competent members.

[bballcool34]

What's up with Mo Evans so vociferously standing up for Billy Hunter against Fisher?

Also, looking over the members of the "executive committee" - Keyon Dooling? Roger Mason Jr.? Matt Bonner? Theo Ratliff and Etan Thomas, not even playing???

I'm cool with Chris Paul and Fish, but where are guys like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, you know, guys who seem to know what's going on, have inherent leadership qualities, different perspectives, you know, something to add to the discussion.

That panel, aside from Chris Paul and Derek Fisher, seem hardly qualified to represent all nba players.

I'm not sure why those guys necessarily represent players any better--- it's hard to know unless you actually know the players individually. On the court =/ off the court.

[Hugs4Divac]

I don't really have any problems w/ the "executive committee." To truly represent the league, the panel should be a mix of a superstar, all-star, starter, role-player, grizzled vets, bench players, etc... The current panel is a bit scrub heavy and could use some more relevant veteran (non current-superstar) players like Rip Hamilton, James Posey, Grant Hill, etc...

Many people consider the Yahoo Sports article about Hunter's investments and shunning of Garrity to be pretty damning. Here's a tweet from Bill Simmons:

"Game, set, and probably match for the Billy Hunter era. Wow.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nbpa- ... o-son.html"

[milesfides]

What's up with Mo Evans so vociferously standing up for Billy Hunter against Fisher?

Also, looking over the members of the "executive committee" - Keyon Dooling? Roger Mason Jr.? Matt Bonner? Theo Ratliff and Etan Thomas, not even playing???

I'm cool with Chris Paul and Fish, but where are guys like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, you know, guys who seem to know what's going on, have inherent leadership qualities, different perspectives, you know, something to add to the discussion.

That panel, aside from Chris Paul and Derek Fisher, seem hardly qualified to represent all nba players.

I'm not sure why those guys necessarily represent players any better--- it's hard to know unless you actually know the players individually. On the court =/ off the court.

Not hard to know at all. You can't lead unless you have respect. Respect from one's peers, the media, the fans. Because all those things come into play when you're talking about unity (respect from peers), and leverage via PR (media and fans). Basketball ability does indeed play a factor, thinking it doesn't is naive. Players who are also knowledgeable and articulate are also important, because decision-making and communication are integral to leadership.

It's not rocket science.

For example, Shane Battier stepped up during last year's lockout, standing up during an NBPA meeting and suggesting that Billy Hunter take a $1 salary during the lockout (which would be great PR for the players' union and already had precedent during the NFL lockout). Of course Billy Hunter was offended and didn't do it (obviously Billy is money hungry). Reportedly, players on the executive board (I'm guessing everybody except Derek Fisher) defended Billy against Battier.

But that's leadership from Battier. Not afraid to speak out, not afraid to go against the grain, not afraid to do the right thing. Who demonstrated more leadership, Battier with his initiative and principle, or the sycophants on the executive committee?

Moreover, Battier wasn't just pushing for the NBA players. He argued NBA games should be more affordable for fans - even willing to give up BRI for that. That's leadership too, because he's thinking BIG PICTURE which is what LEADERS do.

In addition, Steve Nash was voted Hoopshype Tweeter of the year back to back. He has almost a million followers. That's leadership right there - using social media as a marketing tool and communicating with fans. He's widely respected by the media (how else do you explain 2 MVPs). Having the respect of both the fans and the media is incredibly valuable social currency. Inherently a leader. Also, he's been very outspoken as well, criticizing both players and owners in the lockout as "selfish." He also said his loyalty is to "future players." That's forward thinking. That's leadership.

Grant Hill is another guy who's widely respected, well-spoken, and has the unique perspective of guy who was a lottery pick and the next MJ to an overpaid, over-injured fringe player. From a maximum salary to average salary. A guy who went through the college system to the oldest player in the NBA. He's experienced it all, and that perspective is incredibly valuable. And he's a guy who takes responsibility, even for things he didn't do" "Yes, in hindsight maybe it probably was a mistake (to be uninvolved). I don’t want to give myself too much credit if I do get involved. I think at this point every player wishes he was at the negotiating table." That's a guy who knows he could have made a difference.

Pau Gasol's also great with the media, articulate and thoughtful, and would add representation for international players. Considering he decided to become a doctor after hearing his hero Magic Johnson had HIV, to cure AIDS, and actually went to med school for a year, and observes surgical procedures DURING his NBA career, how would this guy not be a better candidate than the other yes-men on the committee? Pau would single-handedly destroy the "spoiled rich American athlete" conception prevalent during the lockout.

Lastly, I left out Fisher. I left Fisher out because if the committee were comprised of guys like the above, it wouldn't be Fisher v. Hunter. It would be NBA Players v. Hunter. But as it stands, it's Fisher v. Hunter, because the other 8 clowns on there lack either moral integrity or mental acuity. Because it's clear that Hunter has engaged in blatantly unethical business practices.

-Breaking News, US Attorney's Office is now investigating the NBPA-

Derek Fisher is looking like Eliot Ness right now. The other 8 guys? Ass clowns. Chris Paul is the smartest of the rest, yesterday he stated he had no idea what's been going on, distancing himself from the fall-out (uh, well, if the exec committee voted 8-0, you must have voted buddy).

Derek Fisher must be the worst starting point guard who's ever won an NBA championship. I can name only two worse starting point guards for the Lakers, and that's Smush Parker and Chucky Atkins.

But. Whether he's facing eight-to-zero or zero-point-four, or facing Utah fans mocking his daughter's eye cancer, he's going to man up.

Fish isn't perfect. But he's righteous.

He's not the best. But he's fearless.

[miggs]

After the U.S. Attorney offices finishes with the NBPA I feel Billy Hunter is done as well as that whole committee. **** is going down real nasty now, the NBPA (Billy Hunter) could've avoided this by adhering to Fish' suggestion on an independent review of financials, now the gov't has it. Talk about escalation, which speaking of which it's time for my own escalation.