Hunter Seeks To Improve Image Of Players, Enhance Basketball

Hunter Says NBPA's Goal Is To Improve Image Of NBA Players, Enhance Game

NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter took part in a Q&A with the WALL STREET JOURNAL's Matthew Futterman as part of the paper's "Long Toss" feature. Hunter said the NBPA is "always trying to improve the image of our players and to enhance the game so that it continues to have vitality and experiences both economic expansion and growth." Hunter said former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's allegations were a "fluke in the sense that it was simply him and at this time he is reaching for straws." Asked for three things he would change about the NBA, Hunter said, "We took too much of the physicality out of the game. There would be no age limit. It should be based on merit. And maybe the union gave up too much when they increased [the] power of the commissioner." Hunter, asked what it is like to be NBA Commissioner David Stern's "adversary," said, "I personally like and respect David, but that doesn't get in the way of me doing my job." Hunter said of int'l expansion for the NBA, "I'm all for global expansion. I'm hoping that one day the NBA might be like soccer, as the most popular sport in universe, with teams in all major cities, and playing a world basketball championship administered by the NBA every few years" (WSJ.com, 6/18).