National Basketball Association

NFLPA director to address NBA players

Published Sep. 15, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith will speak to NBA players during a meeting to update them on collective bargaining talks.

An NBA players' association official confirmed an SI.com report that Smith, who led NFL players through a 4 1/2-month lockout, would take part in the meeting Thursday. The report Wednesday night said Smith was invited by union president Derek Fisher of the Lakers.

The meeting could include more than 50 players. It comes two days after a bargaining session between the union's executive committee and the owners' labor relations committee brought no progress after the league refused players' desire to keep the current salary cap system as is.

Owners are also meeting Thursday in Dallas.