The NBA players' association filed two unfair labor practice charges against the league on Friday over issues with the new ball and the league's crackdown on player complaints.
The charges were filed with the US Labor Relations Board.
A number of players have publicly complained about the ball's change 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."
NBA commissioner David Stern enacted the policy, saying players were reacting too strongly after calls, and it has led to an increase in technical fouls called this season.
With players fined for each technical they receive, players' union director Billy Hunter said that legal action could be the next step if Stern didn't tell the referees to "back off."
There have been 175 unsportsmanlike technicals called through 225 games this season. There were 120 through the same number of games last season.
"Our obligation to represent our membership dictates the filing of these actions," Hunter said.
"There is virtual unanimity amongst the players about their concerns and intense dislike for the new synthetic ball and the `zero tolerance' policy," Hunter said.
"After extensive consultation with our membership and player leadership we determined that this was the appropriate course of action," he said.
NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said the league was "reviewing what they [the players] have filed."
The players feel they were entitled to input on both changes before they were incorporated.
In its release, the union said the "zero-tolerance policy" was implemented without any consultation.
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