NBA players file antitrust suits against the league

The NBA labor dispute has moved a long way off the court -- and into the courtroom.

On Tuesday, a group of players filed separate lawsuits against the NBA, alleging antitrust violations, in federal courts in Minneapolis and Oakland.

Pistons guard Ben Gordon and the No. 2 pick in June's NBA daft, Derrick Williams, plus two other players filed their suit in Minneapolis. Their case alleges the NBA owners' latest offer for a new labor contract would have "wiped out the competitive market for most NBA players," according to the Associated Press.

Later in the day five players, including All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, filed a similar case against the NBA in the Northern District of California in Oakland.

David Boies, an attorney representing the players, said in a press conference: "We hope it's not necessary to go to trial.... [It's in] everybody's interests to resolve this quickly."

On Monday, the NBA players' union rejected the league's latest contract and began disbanding the union so players could file antitrust suits against the league.

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-- Barry Stavro  

Photo: New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony during a news conference Monday as the National Basketball Players Assn.  rejected the league's latest contract offer.  Credit: Reuters / Shannon Stapleton.