The Clippers and the Knicks are duking it out for the title of divisional leader, while the Denver Nuggets are enjoying their biggest winning streak since 2005, winning a total of nine consecutive games. But when it comes to the big NBA updates, one of the biggest stories actually has nothing to do with any particular team or player. Instead, it’s Commissioner David Stern that’s making headlines, as he’s talking about instating human growth hormone testing as early as next year.

The news shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise. Doping has plagued many sports with baseball being one of the first sports to show just how out of hand it can get. That was followed of course by the Lance Armstrong scandal; and just before the Super Bowl, rumors swirled that Ray Lewis was also guilty of the same thing. While the NBA hasn’t seen any really big problems with HGH or any other type of doping, Stern obviously wants to take preventative action that will keep it from ever marring the sport’s good name. And he wants to start that preventative action soon.

Stern stated during a radio interview earlier this month, “We watch what’s been going on in baseball, we watch the negotiations that are going on with football, and it is my expectation that by next season we will be doing blood testing for HGH. Our players lead this in some ways, saying, ‘We do not want to have anything less than the best.'”

That might be true, but no one will really know until the players’ association union gets involved. While this is obviously meant to protect players, by keeping things fair for those not using, and to keep players healthy by preventing them from using, the union will most likely put up a fight. That will be especially true if they feel as though their players are being tested too strenuously, or if they are not being consulted about the testing.

What do you think? Will the NBA instate HGH testing next year? What will be the union’s reaction?