The players' association filed two unfair labor practice charges Friday against the NBA over issues with the new ball and the league's crackdown on player complaints. The charges were filed with the National Labor Relations Board. A number of players publicly have complained about changing the ball from leather to a microfiber composite. Although players are adjusting to the new ball, they're having a much harder time with the crackdown on reactions after the whistle, often referred to as a "zero-tolerance policy."
See "Players Union Files 2 Suits Against NBA", Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, December 3, 2006