Michele Roberts: Media "just standing there, staring at players"

[irie]

I can't imagine players like having the media in the locker room while they're changing / showering / whatever.

That's my takeaway as well from this. She's probably speaking about this at the behest of the players.

Not sure if this thread is more about when the media should let in rather the tone the NBPA rep is assuming in her choice of words:

If you don’t have a f—ing question, leave

I mean that's completely unprofessional for someone who needs the media to leak out stories when it comes time for negotiating a new CBA.

It's true that cursing comes across as unprofessional. But really, if that's the kind of (impassioned?) delivery the players union wants to get from her and as long as they're content she's doing her job.

[Slava]

That's my takeaway as well from this. She's probably speaking about this at the behest of the players.

Not sure if this thread is more about when the media should let in rather the tone the NBPA rep is assuming in her choice of words:

If you don’t have a f—ing question, leave

I mean that's completely unprofessional for someone who needs the media to leak out stories when it comes time for negotiating a new CBA.

Oh yeah, I agree. She's been combative as hell already and I can tell she will fight the owners for more money. In some ways I think she's overcompensating for the way Fisher and Hunter before her operated. Weren't there articles saying how the players felt that Fisher and Hunter didn't look after them?

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is a bit crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

[PaulieWal]

Not sure if this thread is more about when the media should let in rather the tone the NBPA rep is assuming in her choice of words:



I mean that's completely unprofessional for someone who needs the media to leak out stories when it comes time for negotiating a new CBA.

Oh yeah, I agree. She's been combative as hell already and I can tell she will fight the owners for more money. In some ways I think she's overcompensating for the way Fisher and Hunter before her operated. Weren't there articles saying how the players felt that Fisher and Hunter didn't look after them?

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is **** crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

I am not sure I agree with this though it's more that I don't have an opinion on it. From what I have read she has a pretty solid background. Yes, she has come across as unnecessarily combative, rude, and "bad" at times as you put it. But again I think she's taking this tone because the NBPA was pretty docile under the leadership of Hunter and Fisher, and from what I remember players felt that they gave up too much because Hunter was inept.

I have a feeling that the players actually like her because she will fight for them publicly. As somebody else pointed out it could also be posturing for the upcoming negotiations to make it look like that the players have a lot of issues with the league.

[JazzMatt13]

Every time Coach Q does his interviews, he is at a podium...So why doesn't the media wait in there, let Coach talk, then get any input from any players willing to talk.

I never really thought about, but yeah, beat writers are always in the locker rooms after games. Jazz post game shows usually have 3-4 interviews on players, always in locker room. But then they always interview the coach, and he is at the standard table with mic.

[Insomniaac]

Not sure if this thread is more about when the media should let in rather the tone the NBPA rep is assuming in her choice of words:



I mean that's completely unprofessional for someone who needs the media to leak out stories when it comes time for negotiating a new CBA.

Oh yeah, I agree. She's been combative as hell already and I can tell she will fight the owners for more money. In some ways I think she's overcompensating for the way Fisher and Hunter before her operated. Weren't there articles saying how the players felt that Fisher and Hunter didn't look after them?

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is a bit crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

As far as lawyers go she would seem to be about as capable as they come. If I was a player whose union was about to go head to head with 30 billionaires who completely owned them last negotiation, I'd want someone with her sort of background and passion.

[pacers33granger]

Seems from this thread that I might be in the minority, but I agree with her. I think it's bizarre that the media access is done while players are showering and changing. Even more so given that the journos just stand awkwardly by while the players are dressing, waiting for them to be ready to talk. Just have a separate room for post-game interviews.

Most of RealGM was on the side of the owners during the last lockout, so I'm not surprised by the reactions of people in this thread.

Gotta make sure those players shut up, keep working like horses and the owners keep the whips-a-crackin.

Pathetic that people still have this slave-driver mentality in 2015.

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

[MitchellUK]

I don't deny that she's got a confrontational streak about her, but I wonder if people would be as quick to call Roberts crazy if she was a guy. I imagine different words might be used - tough, no-nonsense, hardass, so on and so forth.

[ChosunX]

Seems from this thread that I might be in the minority, but I agree with her. I think it's bizarre that the media access is done while players are showering and changing. Even more so given that the journos just stand awkwardly by while the players are dressing, waiting for them to be ready to talk. Just have a separate room for post-game interviews.

Most of RealGM was on the side of the owners during the last lockout, so I'm not surprised by the reactions of people in this thread.

Gotta make sure those players shut up, keep working like horses and the owners keep the whips-a-crackin.

Pathetic that people still have this slave-driver mentality in 2015.

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

Bs is bs no matter how much money someone makes. It's like saying it's ok for rich people to be slandered because they can hide from the public. The NBA is in a unique place as far as market competition is concerned. Also it has an ethos that you won't find in any other business.

[Naija Boy]

Not sure if this thread is more about when the media should let in rather the tone the NBPA rep is assuming in her choice of words:



I mean that's completely unprofessional for someone who needs the media to leak out stories when it comes time for negotiating a new CBA.

Oh yeah, I agree. She's been combative as hell already and I can tell she will fight the owners for more money. In some ways I think she's overcompensating for the way Fisher and Hunter before her operated. Weren't there articles saying how the players felt that Fisher and Hunter didn't look after them?

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is a bit crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

If a dude said that he would never get called "crazy". Check your sexism man.

[Slava]

Oh yeah, I agree. She's been combative as hell already and I can tell she will fight the owners for more money. In some ways I think she's overcompensating for the way Fisher and Hunter before her operated. Weren't there articles saying how the players felt that Fisher and Hunter didn't look after them?

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is a bit crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

If a dude said that he would never get called "crazy". Check your sexism man.

I'd call anyone working in a professional capacity that drops an F-Bomb so non-nonchalantly crazy, so you need to go piss on someone else's leg.

[Naija Boy]

Seems from this thread that I might be in the minority, but I agree with her. I think it's bizarre that the media access is done while players are showering and changing. Even more so given that the journos just stand awkwardly by while the players are dressing, waiting for them to be ready to talk. Just have a separate room for post-game interviews.

Most of RealGM was on the side of the owners during the last lockout, so I'm not surprised by the reactions of people in this thread.

Gotta make sure those players shut up, keep working like horses and the owners keep the whips-a-crackin.

Pathetic that people still have this slave-driver mentality in 2015.

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

What an absolute crock of bull

They won't feel bad because even scrubs make half a mil a year? Last I checked James Dolan is a "scrub" owner and he's making billions. And he's not the only one. What a terrible argument.

They agreed to the last CBA because it was negotiated poorly. You think every time a union of workers negotiate a deal they're completely satisfied with what they got? Eventually you need to accept something less than what you want in order to get back to work.

[pacers33granger]

Most of RealGM was on the side of the owners during the last lockout, so I'm not surprised by the reactions of people in this thread.

Gotta make sure those players shut up, keep working like horses and the owners keep the whips-a-crackin.

Pathetic that people still have this slave-driver mentality in 2015.

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

Bs is bs no matter how much money someone makes. It's like saying it's ok for rick people to be slandered because they can hide from the public.

Totally different. Rich people can't stop being slandered short of suing everyone who does it. They did not bargain for that. The players bargained for what is in the CBA. Like I said, it was a bad deal for them, but they agreed to it and know what was in it.

[ChosunX]

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

Bs is bs no matter how much money someone makes. It's like saying it's ok for rick people to be slandered because they can hide from the public.

Totally different. Rich people can't stop being slandered short of suing everyone who does it. They did not bargain for that. The players bargained for what is in the CBA. Like I said, it was a bad deal for them, but they agreed to it and know what was in it.

Yeah but it's an unique market and unlike me they cannot just get a similar job with similar competition and play. The NBA has power that is unique in the marketplace.

[pacers33granger]

Most of RealGM was on the side of the owners during the last lockout, so I'm not surprised by the reactions of people in this thread.

Gotta make sure those players shut up, keep working like horses and the owners keep the whips-a-crackin.

Pathetic that people still have this slave-driver mentality in 2015.

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

What an absolute crock of bull

They won't feel bad because even scrubs make half a mil a year? Last I checked James Dolan is a "scrub" owner and he's making billions. And he's not the only one. What a terrible argument.

They agreed to the last CBA because it was negotiated poorly. You think every time a union of workers negotiate a deal they're completely satisfied with what they got? Eventually you need to accept something less than what you want in order to get back to work.

Doesn't matter what Dolan makes. The worst of the worst players in the league make more than most people in the country do in 20 years, so people generally won't have much sympathy for them.

And if they're not satisfied with what they got, then that's on them. If they don't like it, then don't play, simple as that. Nothing is forcing any single player to be a part of the league. Or just don't agree to it in the first place if you don't like it.

[pacers33granger]

Bs is bs no matter how much money someone makes. It's like saying it's ok for rick people to be slandered because they can hide from the public.

Totally different. Rich people can't stop being slandered short of suing everyone who does it. They did not bargain for that. The players bargained for what is in the CBA. Like I said, it was a bad deal for them, but they agreed to it and know what was in it.

Yeah but it's an unique market and unlike me they cannot just get a similar job with similar competition and play. The NBA has power that is unique in the marketplace.

I agree in part. They can get similar pay elsewhere (or in some guys cases better, i.e. guys like Blatche, Beasley, etc.). And the major guys like Lebron could probably get a higher salary from a Euro club and retain most if not all of their endorsement earnings. Like you said, they won't get the same level of competition, but that's in large part due to what the NBA has created as a league. Of course the players have always had a hand in that, but none of them were ever the ones organizing it or putting up the money.

[irie]

This isn't even the first or second instance she's come across bad. I frankly think the lady is a bit crazy and will do more harm than good by being combative. The NBPA is so out of luck if they cannot find a capable lawyer to represent them while maintaining proper decorum.

If a dude said that he would never get called "crazy". Check your sexism man.

I'd call anyone working in a professional capacity that drops an F-Bomb so non-nonchalantly crazy, so you need to go piss on someone else's leg.

Really? I don't see it as such a big deal. Actually until you brought it up I never really even considered cursing to be relevant to the point she was making, or if it had any bearing in the discussion whatsoever. Why does it matter to you?

I hate to generalize, I don't know if I'll ever understand why Americans are so uptight about "swear words." Puritan culture, perhaps?

[PaulieWal]

If a dude said that he would never get called "crazy". Check your sexism man.

I'd call anyone working in a professional capacity that drops an F-Bomb so non-nonchalantly crazy, so you need to go piss on someone else's leg.

Really? I don't see it as such a big deal. Actually until you brought it up I never really even considered cursing to be relevant to the point she was making, or if it had any bearing in the discussion whatsoever. Why does it matter to you?

I hate to generalize, I don't know if I'll ever understand why Americans are so uptight about "swear words." Puritan culture, perhaps?

I agree with you and don't see the big deal with her swearing. Players, coaches, GMs, and even owners will drop F-bombs in interviews sometimes. That being said I also don't think Slava was being "sexist", thought didn't even cross my mind when I replied to him. People need to chill.

[MGrand15]

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

Bs is bs no matter how much money someone makes. It's like saying it's ok for rick people to be slandered because they can hide from the public.

Totally different. Rich people can't stop being slandered short of suing everyone who does it. They did not bargain for that. The players bargained for what is in the CBA. Like I said, it was a bad deal for them, but they agreed to it and know what was in it.

Uh, do you know what her job is?

Just like owners complain about what's in the CBA and lock the players out over it - she's representing the complaints of the players about stuff they want discussed at the next meeting.

Yes, the players agreed to be available for media. That's why they do it every single day. Roberts is bringing up the issue for the next negotiation. Clearly, it's not something players are a fan of. Her job is to combat issues that players don't like.

[Kilo]

She's "crazy" and "unprofessional" like a fox. Folks calling her as much should maybe check out her resume and educational background and then compare it to theirs before being so condescending and glib.

[irie]

The majority of people will not feel bad for players since even scrubs make half a mil a year, doesn't matter if the owners are raking in cash. It's not a "slave-driver mentality." I don't feel bad for all the stuff associates at big law firms have to go through to make 6 figures because I'd gladly do it even knowing it's making the partners 5 times that.

The bottom line though is that it's basic contract law. The players may have had bad representation in past CBAs (and seem to have it again), but they agreed to what's in the CBA. And saying this crap through the media isn't doing her or the NBPA any favors. It's just going to piss owners off and isn't going to get any more people on their side.

What an absolute crock of bull

They won't feel bad because even scrubs make half a mil a year? Last I checked James Dolan is a "scrub" owner and he's making billions. And he's not the only one. What a terrible argument.

They agreed to the last CBA because it was negotiated poorly. You think every time a union of workers negotiate a deal they're completely satisfied with what they got? Eventually you need to accept something less than what you want in order to get back to work.

Doesn't matter what Dolan makes. The worst of the worst players in the league make more than most people in the country do in 20 years, so people generally won't have much sympathy for them.

And if they're not satisfied with what they got, then that's on them. If they don't like it, then don't play, simple as that. Nothing is forcing any single player to be a part of the league. Or just don't agree to it in the first place if you don't like it.

The player make more than most Americans... the owners make more than all the players. I don't know why their income has any relevance to the discussion. But I do think this is a common tactic used by those who dislike how much athletes make and try to bring their position down, despite the lack of criticism of owners.

I don't really care which group of rich people wins out and siding with one side or another feels pedantic. I just don't want another lockout.