NBA tried to 'out-muscle' NFL with Taylor suspension, union chief tells players

NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts continued her assault on league commissioner Adam Silver in a memo to players Thursday.

In the memo, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Roberts expands on the comments she made Thursday regarding the league's decision to suspend Charlotte Hornets forward Jeffrey Taylor 24 games after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property charges, stemming from a September incident in East Lansing, Mich.

"Despite having agreed to join the Players Association in focusing attention on 'prevention' rather than trying to out-muscle the NFL on 'discipline,' the NBA elected to prove its toughness by imposing a 24-game suspension on Jeff Taylor," Roberts said. "Up until yesterday's announcement, we had been working with the league to undergo a sober review of our current policies and practices to improve the services available to the NBA family in this area. 

"However, I am disappointed that, as reflected in the sanction imposed against Jeff, the league instead chose to bend to the pressure it feels from the current media spotlight and impose punishment well beyond what is contained in the current CBA or in line with existing precedent."

The NFL was thrust into the public eye in February when video surfaced of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City casino elevator.

"The CBA contemplates a minimum 10-game suspension in any case involving a conviction for a violent felony, including domestic violence," Roberts said in her statement. "In contrast, Jeff Taylor was charged with a misdemeanor that is likely to be dismissed at the end of a probationary period. The 24-game suspension is one of the longest in the history of the league.

"We have a scheme of discipline that was the result of collective bargaining between the parties that has been applied consistently over the years. While we appreciate the sensitivity of this societal issue, the commissioner is not entitled to rewrite the rules or otherwise ignore precedent in disciplinary matters. While ultimately this is Jeff's decision, we stand ready to file an immediate appeal on his behalf."