The lockout of NBA referees was declared illegal by the
Ontario Labour Relations Board. The Board ruled that "pending a
conciliation process, the NBA must begin using its regular
officials" at Raptors home games. Attorney Paul Cavalluzzo, who
represented the refs, said a similar case might be launched soon
in British Columbia. In April '95, MLB was reprimanded for their
umpires lockout with the Board disallowing use of replacement
umps at SkyDome. That ruling "was credited for triggering a
hasty resolution" to the dispute. Cavalluzzo: "I hope that this,
like in the umpire's case, will trigger the NBA to sit down and
negotiate." The NBA will comply with the decision. NBA Deputy
Commissioner Russ Granik: "If that is what the union wanted in
Toronto, we can't understand why they won't accept the no-strike,
no-lockout pledge that we proposed six weeks ago" (Robert
MacLeod, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/11).
SOUNDING OFF: The lockout and use of replacements dominated
much of the NBA news over the weekend. After the Suns-Warriors,
David Steele notes the 73 personal fouls, 94 free throws, five
technical fouls and one ejection: "It was almost as unplayable
as it was unwatchable." Charles Barkley said Commissioner David
Stern "needs to get off his ass and get this strike settled.
It's damaging the integrity of the game" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/13).
In Atlanta, Ailene Voisin writes Week 1 provided for
"inconsistent, often atrocious officiating, quick tempers and
even quicker whistles" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/12). In
Philadelphia, Bill Lyon writes the NBA "continues to defraud the
public, endanger its players, and brings its own integrity into
question" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/11). NBC's Bob Costas says
the league can get "away with some poorly officiated games early.
But if you have badly officiated games later, when games are
nationally televised, with playoff slots on the line, it could be
disastrous" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 11/12). WHAT CAN THE UNION DO?
Players have asked NBPA Exec Dir Simon Gourdine what they can do
to help arrive at a resolution, according to Jackie MacMullan of
the BOSTON GLOBE. There was talk of a joint picket line, "but
Gourdine said the collective bargaining agreement limits the
players involvement" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/12). Mitch Lawrence
writes if the "players had the guts to forfeit 1/82nd of their
pay, David Stern would have the real whistle blowers back to work
the next morning" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/12).
NEWS & NOTES: Why is agent David Falk considered "one of
the most powerful men" in the NBA? Jackie MacMullan writes that
whatever contract Falk gets for Dikembe Mutombo "will then be
used as leverage in" other negotiations (see Mourning, Howard,
and Jordan) (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/12). Mutombo is behind the push to
replace Gourdine with agent Len Elmore. A special union election
is being arranged during the All-Star break. Elmore confirmed
talk of making him the new director "has come up" and that he is
interested (Ric Bucher, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 11/12). Mitch
Lawrence examines "city shifting" in the NBA, and how it is less
common than in the NFL (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/12). Shawn Kemp
"might just what the NBA needs to juice up the getting lamer-by-
the-year-dunk contest," according to Eddie Sefko. Kemp, who is
considering particpating this year, proposes dunking over a
defender (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/12).
