The Quotes are VERY well Thought out, and good finds in relation to the story. I REALLY do appreciate the anonymous person who went to the trouble (as I had done) to find quotes, and stories on these issues.
While they were very interesting, my one disagreement with them, are regarding the consequences. In the NFL consequences for all misdeeds have become swift and unforgiving. In Baseball, people show up with "Baroids" posters, and the league (finally) had a full report on all the cheaters. Surely it is a black eye on the league, and they will lose much clout as well. I never addressed the NHL or Nascar, as I barely know anything about these sports, and am not qualified to even write about them.
As far as the relation of these things to the NBA, it seems that the NBA, and NBA fans are the only group, or collective body of a sport, that regularly skip over constant misdeeds of players.
One example of this is the continuation of Allen Iverson to lead a team in the NBA, and even a full marketing campaign with Reebok "I am what I am" portraying AI as the victim of his youth, and unable to change from a thug to a gentleman. That's a negative message even if there's some truth to it.
The Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials in the NFL are a less endorsing of criminal and gang relationships. So, yes, this "open relationship" to "hip hop" seems quasi-negative to me. I am sorry. I don't see another league defending and promoting those who are doing bad things on a regular basis.
Pac Man Jones was just denied entrance back in the NFL, again. This is a strong message to the other players in the League, "stay out of the strip clubs, and don't beat up women." It's simple. He (Jones) has a bad crowd, and he ends up making bad decisions. So he's out. I respect that. If you disagree, that's more than ok. I was just shining my light on something that seems right or wrong.
As far as race being a part of it. I am sure some regard these issues as only racial. I disagree. I am not coming down on Ken Griffey Jr. Not coming down on Michael Jordan, or Scottie Pippen. I am not exiling the likes of Baron Davis. Guys who play a good guy role in real life (as far as we can know) are fine. Terrell Owens for all his controversy has committed zero crimes to my knowledge, Chad Johnson, same thing. I only spoke about the criminals (noted to be criminals because of their multiple crimes) in the NBA, that aren't punished by the league.
It's fine if you want to say I am racist, but I never said one racist thing.
Martin Luther King Jr. said to judge people..."not on the color of their skin, but on the content of theirI have done that. I judged these people on the content of their character. The players, and circumstances I mentioned in the NBA story (just a fraction of the many NBA players lives and circumstances) are exactly what I judged. The Tim Donaghey story, or the Seattle issue, have nothing to do with the races, or colors of people. Are the Maloofs poor black kids from the inner city?
character."
Ray Lewis is an example in the NFL that baffles me. It's all wrong that he faces no consequences (to my memory) for his role in killing a man. That's just wrong. But on a whole, I don't find the NFL to be a league that stands by its stars right or wrong, and I think the NBA does typically. I think with David Stern at the helm, it's too late to change the NBA culture.
There were many many stories in the NBA I didn't even go into, as there was just too much. But again, if you hate me, and the story, I get it. I would too, but only if, I cared more about my favorite sport than truth.
And about my sport, yes I love soccer. But I am not blind, or naive. Are there problems around the world, in places like Italy, and Argentina? Yes. But, I was saying, let's keep Major League Soccer (a league played exclusively in the United States and Canada) clean! Before the MLS has the problems the NBA has, or the soccer leagues in Argentina, and Italy have, keep harsh rules, with "real consequences". Those Soccer Leagues are facing very similar problems (as the NBA) with violence, cheating, and damage control as a huge source of problems. With so much money in these leagues, like the NBA, maybe it's easier to find these problems. In contrast, the lowly MLS has not.
The MLS has largely been without controversy so far, and like I said before, "so far so good". But, that isn't to say it couldn't become tainted with controversy and criminal players. The story was a reminder for the sport to keep its hands clean in the decades to come. Because, let's face it, a league with the many troubles of the NBA, is ugly and sad. And it can ruin the image of so many great and honorable people like David Robinson, Reggie Miller, and so many other good guys the NBA has employed. But A little leaven, leavens the whole lump...
If you hate me, you can still respond here with your comments, or to SacUnitedSoccerBlog@yahoo.com and there's a new poll you can take, that you should enjoy. Tell me what you think... ok NBA fan?
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