NBA warns of penalties, suspension

MANILA, Philippines - The NBA wasn’t concerned with the payouts but with the safety of the players in deciding to disallow James Harden and company from playing a game or even participating in skills competitions in the Last HOME Stand event, a Yahoo.com report said.

“Our biggest concerns aren’t sponsorships and payouts, but the playing conditions around the games – quality of the floor, equipment around the court, presence of doctors and facilities for treatment, etc,” said the report quoting a high-ranking NBA official.

The NBA warned the group that included Kawhi Leonard, Tyson Chandler Kyle Lowry, Terrence Ross, DeMar Derozan, Tyson Chandler, Brandon Jennings, Damian Lillard and Matt Barnes of possible penalties, including suspension,  in a memo coursed through the NBA Players Association.

In the memo, the NBA said: “(It) has taken the position that any such exhibition or competition is unallowable and is not approved for player participation under the (collective bargaining agreement), regardless of whether it is incorporated into a ‘clinic’ or other ‘benign-sounding activity.’”

In a supposed separate statement regarding the event, the NBA said: “Under the terms of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, players are not allowed to participate in off-season basketball games or exhibitions when requirements for those events are met, including ensuring that appropriate safeguards be in place, and the promoter seeks the proper exemptions from the NBA and the player’s team.

“The promoter of this supposed event, East-West Private LLC, was informed of this process several months ago but did not take the required steps.”

The NBA also said: Filipinos are among the most passionate basketball fans in the world and we are committed to bringing them more access to our game and supporting the ongoing Typhoon Haiyan rehabilitation efforts.”

With calls from their agents Tuesday morning, the NBA players held an emergency meeting among themselves and decide to appeal the event organizers of the cancellation of the 5-on-5 scrimmage and their skills event participation, forcing the drastic last-minute changes in the event program.

The NBA players cut a direct deal with the Manila organizers, including some star players reportedly earning $150,000-plus stipends for the two-day event.

With these pays, accommodation, the ticket refund, etc., PLDT would lose an eye-popping figure.