The National Basketball Players Association has a star as its new president.
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul was elected NBPA president Wednesday at the union’s summer meeting in Las Vegas. Paul, who previously was an NBPA vice president, now is charged with putting the players’ union in the right direction after approximately 18 months of instability and turmoil.
Paul replaces Derek Fisher, whose tenure ends in a shroud of controversy that resulted in the February firing of Billy Hunter, the union’s longtime executive director, and lawsuits, including Hunter’s lawsuit against the NBPA and Fisher in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Paul, a six-time All-Star who was named first-team All-NBA in 2012-13, gives the NBPA its first big-name president since Patrick Ewing’s term expired in 2001.
Paul brings a sensible and reasonable voice to the position, and he also has the respect of players and the league office, including deputy commissioner Adam Silver, who will take over for outgoing Commissioner David Stern on Feb. 1.
Miami Heat star LeBron James considered running for president but ultimately decided he would not have the time to give the job the attention it requires.
Free agent guard Roger Mason Jr. emerged as frontrunner in the last week, but at the meeting Paul was determined to be the better candidate, especially since Mason is without a team and the union wanted to begin its transition without any missteps.
Last week, Mason told USA TODAY Sports he was the right man for the job. Mason will be the first vice president under Paul, replacing veteran free agent Jerry Stackhouse, who will take a different position with the union. Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake and Charlotte Bobcats forward Anthony Tolliver also were elected vice presidents.
Paul’s election is the first official step toward a fresh start for the union. Hiring an executive director is the next move, and the union plans to hire a search firm to help find the next executive director.
It is a pivotal time for the union, which is trying to move beyond the turmoil which has paralyzed the group. Behind the scenes, the executive committee comprised of players — Mason, Stackhouse, James Jones, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Willie Green and Matt Bonner — have been working quietly to accomplish that goal.
Mason said the executive committee is looking at the NBPA from top to bottom and are looking for better ways to serve players.
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