Adam Silver and the NBA responded to statements made by NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts in which she said the salary cap is "un-American" and that the owners are replaceable.

"We couldn't disagree more with these statements," wrote Silver. "The NBA's success is based on the collective efforts and investments of the team owers, the thousands of employees at our teams and arenas, and our extraordinarily talented players. No single group could accomplish this on its own. Nor is there anything unusual or "un-American" in a unionized industry to have a collective system for paying employees - in fact, that's the norm.

"The Salary Cap system, which splits revenues between team owners and players has been agreed upon by the NBA and the Players Association since 1982, has served as a foundation for the growth of the league and has enabled NBA players to become the highest paid professional athletes in the world."