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MavsFanFinley · 12-01-2003, 11:36 PM

Notebook: Players group weighs action for Fortson
Colangelo's comment defames, players association head says

Monday, December 1, 2003
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

The NBA players association will explore its options in the aftermath of Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo calling Mavericks' forward Danny Fortson "a thug."

Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBAPA, was at American Airlines Center on Monday to speak to the Mavericks on several matters. Afterward, he said Colangelo's statement certainly got his attention.

"We have to address that," Hunter said. "As far as recourse goes, we have two avenues. We can appeal to the commissioner. Or we can move to arbitrate it.

"And the reality could end up being a cause of action, because we're talking about defamation."

Fortson received a flagrant foul when he pushed Phoenix's Zarko Cabarkapa to the floor Wednesday. He will serve the last of a three-game suspension Tuesday night against Washington.

Hunter used retired center Andrew Lang as a precedent for Fortson's situation. Lang was responsible for the flagrant foul that knocked Patrick Ewing out during the 1998 season.

"And nobody called Andrew Lang a thug," Hunter said.

Hunter also spoke to the Mavericks about the state of the collective bargaining agreement with the league. Hunter said he had a meeting set with commissioner David Stern on Monday. The league has until Dec. 15 to extend the current CBA through the 2004-05 season.

If they don't do so, the league could be looking at another protracted labor negotiation next summer.

12-01-2003, 11:36 PM	#68
MavsFanFinley Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: California Posts: 16,670	RE:Fortson suspended 3 games Notebook: Players group weighs action for Fortson Colangelo's comment defames, players association head says Monday, December 1, 2003 By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News The NBA players association will explore its options in the aftermath of Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo calling Mavericks' forward Danny Fortson "a thug." Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBAPA, was at American Airlines Center on Monday to speak to the Mavericks on several matters. Afterward, he said Colangelo's statement certainly got his attention. "We have to address that," Hunter said. "As far as recourse goes, we have two avenues. We can appeal to the commissioner. Or we can move to arbitrate it. "And the reality could end up being a cause of action, because we're talking about defamation." Fortson received a flagrant foul when he pushed Phoenix's Zarko Cabarkapa to the floor Wednesday. He will serve the last of a three-game suspension Tuesday night against Washington. Hunter used retired center Andrew Lang as a precedent for Fortson's situation. Lang was responsible for the flagrant foul that knocked Patrick Ewing out during the 1998 season. "And nobody called Andrew Lang a thug," Hunter said. Hunter also spoke to the Mavericks about the state of the collective bargaining agreement with the league. Hunter said he had a meeting set with commissioner David Stern on Monday. The league has until Dec. 15 to extend the current CBA through the 2004-05 season. If they don't do so, the league could be looking at another protracted labor negotiation next summer. __________________