Union warns of legal action over crackdown on complaints

With technical fouls nearly doubled, union director Billy Hunter wants Commissioner David Stern to lighten up on the NBA’s crackdown on complaining -- or he might even seek legal action against the league.

Players are fined for every technical foul they receive, and there were 122 of them called through the first 51 games of the season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. There were 66 through 50 games last season.

“I think what may ultimately happen if it continues to occur is we will probably be compelled to bring an unfair labor practice action or something,” Hunter said Wednesday.

“Try to seek some relief, at least to have the issue either heard or at least elevated so that it gets a lot more public attention than it’s currently getting.”

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Larry Brown received $18.5 million from the New York Knicks in last week’s settlement of a dispute between the team and its fired coach.

The payout is $22.5 million less than the $41 million that remained on the five-year, $50-million contract Brown signed in July 2005 with the Knicks, owned by Cablevision Systems Corp. The payout amount was included in the company’s quarterly regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin underwent an MRI exam on his swollen right knee.... Boston Celtics forward Al Jefferson had his appendix removed and no timetable was given for his return.