Four points of agreement emerged from today’s meeting between representatives of players and referees, according to a joint statement released by both groups.
Gathering at All-Star Weekend in the wake of increased on-court tensions, the representatives of the NBPA and the referees’ union agreed to a course of action that calls for:
- Enhanced education and clarification around the Respect for the Game rules.
- The opening of an additional channel of communication for future conflicts.
- Plans for future meetings and discussions.
- A broad review of existing rules and regulations and developing joint recommendations to enhance them.
The statement calls today’s meeting “incredibly productive in terms of opening up the lines of communication between both groups and beginning the process of improving relations.” It also refers to the get-together as “a successful first step,” with more meetings planned for the spring and summer.
“In this meeting, we took some important steps in identifying existing frustrations for both sides,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts. “Now with that information, we plan to move forward and continue to work together to find solutions that will enhance the on-court experience for both parties.”
“Our two unions met out of the necessity to examine issues that have previously been left unaddressed,” said NBRA spokesperson Mark Denesuk. “We look forward to continued collaboration between our two organizations to explore common interests.”
NBA players are so spoiled it’s pathetic.
True … a lot of professional athletes are
Hey ChiSox are you one of those Russian bots? Jk
Happy that no further in-game delays are supported.
While as a whole I think this is great that they are trying to work together to improve relations, I think it is ridiculous it got to this point. No one pays to see the refs they pay to see the players and the refs seem to have egos worse then the players. I mean “explore common interests”? Your interest should be to call the game correctly and be less of a distraction
Amen
The refs get puffed up sometimes for sure. But. The amount of whiny stoogery NBA players put on when they don’t get their way is as much of a distraction as any of that.
What? Everyone is interested in (and entitled to) preserving their dignity and being respected in their profession/field. The players have been extremely disrespectful to the refs this season. It is not ego when it is your job to be the authority on the court, and the players and coaches seem to have forgotten that. The refs have been drawing a line about it this year by using the whistle more often.
A similar thing has happened (to a much lesser degree) in baseball, with players arguing and showing up the umps.
Players should do their job and let the refs do theirs. Take the grievances off the court and into a formalized review process where a player can make a complaint about a call. That way they can have their say (if they are actually right), and the refs can improve, or get better refs into the sport.
Hollering, gesturing, arguing, and being aggressive during a game is not professional, productive or fun to watch — especially while the other team fast breaks into a dunk while the offended player is whining himself into a technical.
I like what the WVA coach said today at his presser. “Put the refs up here to answer the questions of why they made the calls they did”.