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NBA players union executive director Billy Hunter utilized union funds to support former NBA forward Charles Smith's attempt to overthrow the National Basketball Retired Players Association, sources say, one of several maneuvers that inspired union president Derek Fisher to call for a business review of the union's activity. The players' union is currently being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, sources have confirmed. ESPN.com

Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Charles Smith 

NBA players union executive director Billy Hunter utilized union funds to support former NBA forward Charles Smith's attempt to overthrow the National Basketball Retired Players Association, sources say, one of several maneuvers that inspired union president Derek Fisher to call for a business review of the union's activity. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Charles Smith 

The players' union is currently being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, sources have confirmed. Recent reports by both Yahoo! Sports and Bloomberg News detailed a number of other expenditures and hirings made by Hunter without executive committee oversight. The financial support of Smith is another one, sources said. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Charles Smith 

Several months later, as Smith fought to win back his position, the NBPA's late lead counsel, Gary Hall, told a retired players' association representative that the NBPA was in full support of Smith, would pay his legal fees and play "the race card," if necessary, sources said. Smith is black and Danny Schayes, selected to replace him, is white. Hall's comments were made, sources added, with Hunter present. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Charles Smith 

Mike Trudell: Derek Fisher just went over to hug all his former teammates. Had an especially long embrace with Gasol. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher 

No one understands the evolution of Bryant better than Derek Fisher, who came into the league with Bryant in 1996 and has had a front-row seat to his development ever since. No one today can match Bryant's intensity, his singular focus. That will to be great though, that's something that oozes from Durant's pores. SI.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Derek Fisher 

"I watched Kobe for years work to become one of the greatest of all-time," Fisher said. "I think Kevin (Durant) has the same love and passion for playing basketball. The process is happening, for sure. You can see he is understanding more of what it takes to be the leader of the team" SI.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Derek Fisher 

"There are similarities in terms of that internal fire," Fisher said. "Kevin is not as demonstrative [as Kobe] in terms of his actions, but on the inside, he wants to be one of the greats." SI.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Derek Fisher 

"I thought it was a great play, you know my answer," (LeBron) James said Thursday about (Steve) Blake's shot (from last night game against the Thunder). "The person that should be very happy is Russell (Westbrook), he (got) caught peeking in the paint and left a very good shooter open. Those are the same shots Derek Fisher has hit multiple times for the Lakers. If Steve Blake makes that shot, it's a whole different storyline." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake 

With 19.3 seconds left in Game 1 at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Derek Fisher drilled a 3-pointer from the right wing in front of the Lakers' bench, then gave a quick stare in the direction of his former team. Derek Fisher: "One of those in-the-moment type of things. Putting a period to the ending of last night's game and feeling good about the way we played and some of the things I was able to do. No deeper meaning beyond that. I don't even recall smiling as much. I do remember looking over to the guys at TNT and kind of into the crowd, but I definitely wasn't trying to send a message or show them up. That's not my style." Oklahoman

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher 

If anyone on the Thunder knows how tough this first chance at a closeout game will be it's Fisher, a five-time champion who has appeared in more playoff games than any active player. “They still have a number of guys that were on their championship team a year ago,” Fisher said. “And when you have championship DNA you don't quit. And so we can't expect this team to quit because they're down three games. I anticipate they'll play their best game of the series (Saturday). And we're going to have to figure out a way to try and best that in order to win.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher 

Derek Fisher said Lamar Odom, his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, has damaged his reputation among fans and NBA teams with his Mavericks flameout this season, but that the forward is working to repair his personal life and is hopeful to return to the league next season. "I'm sure he has (hurt his reputation) and it matters to him," Fisher said. "If he never plays basketball again, personally, I could care less because I want him to be where he needs to be on a personal level. I think he will (play again). I think he wants to. The main thing is just that on a personal level he's in a good space. If that's in place, the basketball part will take care of itself." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom 

As National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Billy Hunter and President Derek Fisher were engaged in a battle for control of the union last week, NBA agents and sports labor experts questioned whether either one, or the union itself, would survive the increasingly nasty, public fight. The NBPA executive committee voted 8-0 to ask for Fisher’s resignation on April 20, but Fisher vowed not to resign, and last week saw a number of published reports questioning the union’s finances and the fact that Hunter’s three children and daughter-in-law either were on the NBPA payroll or worked for firms that were paid by the union. Some agents and basketball sources said more players were on Hunter’s side than Fisher’s; others said more favored Fisher. Still others, including several powerful NBA agents who represent large blocks of players, said they don’t trust either of the key figures and wondered how the union as it now stands serves the players’ interests. “Maybe that is the solution,” said one agent, “that we just decide to be a trade organization. We could just be a trade association and monitor benefits and things of that nature.” Sports Business Daily

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Agents 

Derek Fisher tried to reach out to Lamar Odom during his time of need. “Several times,” Fisher said. But with Odom inexplicably struggling all season to adapt following a trade from the Lakers to the Mavs, there seemed to be little anyone could do or say to help Odom before it was too late. The Mavs severed ties with Odom on April 9. Dallas placed the 13-year veteran on the inactive list for the remainder of the season rather than releasing. But the two sides have officially gone their separate ways. Oklahoman

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher 

With Odom no longer with Dallas, Fisher’s last correspondence with his former Lakers teammate took on a slightly different tone. “I sent him a message actually last night and told him how much fun it was going to be to play against these guys,” Fisher said Friday on the eve of the Thunder’s opening-round rematch of the Western Conference Finals. Oklahoman

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom 

The National Basketball Players Association, already in turmoil after President Derek Fisher asked for independent reviews of its finances and business practices, is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, the union said in a statement. Union Executive Director Billy Hunter was notified of the investigation by subpoena for documents on April 25, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation. The people were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation. “The NBPA will cooperate fully with the government’s investigation,” the union statement said. Bloomberg

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Steve Kauffman: classic political strategy by NBPA; lie and deny. Stretch it out,get few more pay checks.Great journalism has exposed emperor has no clothes Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

The National Basketball Players Association, already in turmoil after President Derek Fisher asked for independent reviews of its finances and business practices, is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, the union said in a statement. Union Executive Director Billy Hunter was notified of the investigation by subpoena for documents on April 25, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation. The people were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation. “The NBPA will cooperate fully with the government’s investigation,” the union statement said. The union has appointed a six-member special committee that consists of players representatives and executive committee members to oversee an internal inquiry that will include a financial audit. Bloomberg

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

During collective bargaining, there were rumors that Fisher went to the NBA behind Hunter's back in an attempt to broker a deal. Sources with direct knowledge of the process insist it never happened. Others, including apparently the NBPA executive committee, evidently believe that, or something like it, did happen. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

So this is not a fight about whether Hunter will leave. But when. And to that end, sources in the know are adamant Hunter will not step down anytime soon, even if holding on to his job requires a massive battle. ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Derek Fisher, Billy Hunter, NBPA