Throughout sports, it is common to notice occasional conflicts between players and the referees. Said conversations usually end after a couple of answers back and do not escalate further. But there has never been a time where so much tension was felt between players and officials like this season in the NBA. During the first half of the 2017-18 campaign, we have witnessed multiple star players being ejected and technical foul instances have become very common.

According to National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts, there will be a meeting between players and officials held during the All-Star Break to help ease tensions and discuss player-referee issues outside of the court in clear air. The meeting will reportedly take place on February 17, with three players on one side and three officials on the other, plus a possible moderator.

Speaking to USA TODAY Sports by phone, Roberts said:

“(The meeting) is shaping up. The conversations will not be open to the public. I think if the aim is to have candid discussion between the players in attendance and the officials in attendance, I think it needs to be done without a third party, including, frankly, even perhaps me or others being there.”

Roberts tries to look at both sides' cases and hopes that the meeting, if it does not lead up to an immediate resolution, at least helps ease the tense environment in games:

“I’m looking forward to (the meeting). I think it will be both spirited and enlightening. Even the conversations I’ve had with Lee, there have been things that I have not, frankly, been aware of in terms of the kinds of pressures that (officials) are under. So, I think it’s a useful step.”

Apparently, Chris Paul will be one of the involved players in this meeting. As the president of the NBA players association, you can expect a big name like him alongside vice presidents LeBron James, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Carmelo Anthony, or Pau Gasol to represent NBA players in the meeting. It is unclear which names would represent the referees.