Six unidentified members of the NBPA spoke out against
the union and "outlined the problems they believe are
preventing the lockout from being resolved," according to
Stephen Smith of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The players
said the "problems included" NBPA President Patrick Ewing,
agent David Falk, union "intimidation" and NBPA Outside
Counsel Jeffrey Kessler. Falk is "seen as controlling
Kessler and, in the process, preventing a deal from being
reached." Falk said yesterday, "I'm not a modest guy. If I
was running the union believe me, I'd tell you I'm running
the union." What players have found "most disturbing" is
"intimidation by the union's leadership, primarily by
players on the executive and negotiating committees." One
player said, "Karl Malone stood up in Las Vegas and said,
'Who's going to be a punk?'" In addition, "several players
express discomfort" with Kessler's current role. One said
he "answers to Falk," while another said "all" Kessler does
"is argue" with David Stern. One player, when asked why he
doesn't want to be identified said, "They'll get us if they
ever find out" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/16). Also in
Philadelphia, Mike Bruton writes that the labor stalemate
has Falk's "fingerprints all over it. And that's the
problem" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/16).
IN-DEPTH ON RACE: In N.Y., Roberts & Wise examine
whether race has become an issue in the lockout, and report
that the players, "who admit that they can not point to a
single, overtly racist comment or tactic on the part of the
owners or the league, say they have nonetheless been
offended by many aspects of ownership's stance." Malone:
"They're smearing the players, and in the process, they're
degrading their own product. .. The league has cast us as
dumb and stupid and uninformed, but they'll be waiting for
us to get out there and pitch computers for IBM." Hawks C
Dikembe Mutombo cites a possible lack of respect from Stern:
"Why doesn't David call Billy? Always Billy has to make the
call. I think it's just respect" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/16).
