Grievance Is Filed for Williams

The National Basketball Players Assn. has filed a grievance against the Clippers on behalf of forward John Williams, claiming that the team’s decision to suspend him indefinitely without pay while he’s undergoing treatment at a weight-loss clinic is unfair because it’s open ended.

Charles Grantham, executive director of the players association, said he hopes to have the matter heard within 10 days. Grantham also plans to ask arbiter Dan Collins for an expedited ruling on whether Williams, due to earn $1.1 million this season, should be paid until the grievance is resolved. Williams, who earns about $13,400 per game, has lost more than $174,000 for missing the first 13 games.

The 6-foot-9 forward, who reportedly was over 300 pounds last summer, entered the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center in October by mutual agreement with the team. There is no projected date for his return.

“It’s ridiculous and absurd that they think they can indefinitely suspend him without pay,” Grantham said. “Obviously, that’s something that’s not acceptable to us.”

Grantham said that the Clippers allowed Williams to play at 300 pounds last season and he’s a few pounds over last year’s weight.

Joe Safety, Clipper spokesman, said, “We have every confidence that the results of any grievance will reveal that we were within our rights. It’s not open-ended. When he is in shape to play, the suspension is over. It’s closed ended. He knows that and his representative knows that.”

Safety said that the Clippers didn’t set a precedent last season by allowing Williams to play at about 300 pounds.

“He was in lousy shape and he was in worse shape this year,” Safety said. “We don’t feel compelled to be measured to that effect, that we made a mistake last year. This is now.”