Derek Fisher Bites Back at the Accusations of the NBA Players Association Executive Committee

Via Yahoo! Sports:

"So the next step is simple," Fisher wrote in the email. "All players have a voice. Any and all players may request an independent review of the business practices and finances and a player representative vote can be taken at a time when all 30 player representatives can be present. A firm of the players choosing may conduct the review.

"The allegations that are now being directed at me are defamatory. But I urge our members to order an independent review beginning immediately and that will be proven along with finding out definitively if there are any issues with the NBPA's business practices and finances."

....

''The executive committee based its decision on numerous instances over the past six months, where Fisher engaged in conduct detrimental to the union, including acting in contravention of the players' best interests during collective bargaining, declining to follow the NBPA Constitution, and failing to uphold the duties of the Union President,'' the statement said.

Maurice Evans, vice president of the Players Association and a member of the executive committee, told the Washington Examiner Friday that members of the executive committee were satisfied with Hunter's explanations regarding questions about "nepotism and the misallocation of funds and any other supposed, alleged questions."

The long and short of it is: The player's union is divided, and Derek Fisher is right in the middle of the action. Fisher is being accused by Billy Hunter for not acting in the best interest of the players, misusing funds, and showing favor to friends. Fisher is asking for the support of the players, and is pledging that he will operate transparently.

Right now there's a whole lot of hearsay going on concerning this situation, and it's hard to know who to believe. Adrian Wojnarowski seems to believe that Fisher has broader support throughout the union, while Billy Hunter has support in the Executive Committee. Then again, the executive committee was supporting Fisher's decision for an audit not too long ago, so it seems members can be swayed in both directions.

Again, the only hope that I have is that this drama doesn't spill over into the locker room. And for now, that's about all I can say.

Read an earlier report of Fisher being asked to step down here.