NBA Lockout Update: Players File Two Class-Action Antitrust Lawsuits Against The NBA

Read More: Leon Powe (F - MEM), Carmelo Anthony (F - NYK), Chauncey Billups (G - LAC), Ben Gordon (G - DET), Caron Butler (F - LAC), Kevin Durant (F - OKC), Anthony Tolliver (F - MIN)

If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em.

Locked-out NBA players, who claim the league is violating antitrust laws by not allowing them to work, filed class-action antitrust lawsuits to combat the stoppage on Tuesday in California and Minnesota.

Named as plaintiffs in the "Golden State" suit are Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Kevin Durant, Leon Powe, Kawhi Leonard while the "North Star State" is repped by Caron Butler, Ben Gordon, Anthony Tolliver and Derrick Williams.

From players' attorney David Boies (via ESPN):

"If you're in a poker game, and you run a bluff, and the bluff works, you're a hero. If someone calls your bluff, you lose. I think the owners overplayed their hand. They did a terrific job of taking a very hard line and pushing the players to make concession after concession after concession, but greed is not only a terrible thing -- it's a dangerous thing."

The NBA has reportedly canceled all games through Dec. 15, effectively eliminating 324 contests from the 2011-12 season. And as league spokesman Tim Frank explains, the players followed through on their ultimatum:

"We haven't seen Mr. Boies complaint yet but it's a shame that the players have chosen to litigate instead of negotiate. They warned us from the early days of these negotiations that they would sue us if we didn't satisfy them at the bargaining table, and they appear to have followed through on their threats."

Now they're headed to court, which means this one is going to get worse before it gets better.

For more on the 2011 NBA lockout click here.