Derek Fisher denies there is a rift in NBA players' union

Derek Fisher denies there is a rift in NBA players’ union

Oct. 31, 2011 10:18 PM PT

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Is there dissension among the NBA players’ union?

Not according to Derek Fisher.

The president of the National Basketball Players Assn. claimed unity among players and refuted a foxsports.com report in a letter e-mailed to approximately 450 NBA players.

The foxsports.com report suggested that Fisher was not looking out for the best interests of fellow players and had secretly negotiated with Commissioner David Stern.

‘Usually I wouldn’t even dignify absurd media reports with a comment,’ Fisher wrote. ‘My loyalty has and always will be with the players. Anyone that questions that or doubts that does not know me, my history, and what I stand for. And quite frankly, how dare anyone call that into question.’

The NBA lockout is in its fourth month. Talks broke off last week when players and owners could not decide how to divide basketball-related income. Players want 52% of BRI while owners insist on a 50-50 split.

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--Mike Bresnahan

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Mike Bresnahan

Mike Bresnahan previously covered the Lakers for the Los Angeles Times. He started the beat in 2004, a month after Shaquille O’Neal was traded, and covered several seasons of mediocrity before the Lakers won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Now they’re back to mediocrity. Bresnahan is from Los Angeles, started with The Times after graduating the University of Wisconsin in 1994, and has also covered the L.A. Kings, pro beach volleyball and numerous colleges and high schools. He left The Times in 2016.