Le Basketbawl

I know that I am going to receive a lot of heat for this column you are about to read. However if you are a regular reader of mine either from this site, or from our Sister Site Slam Dunk Central you are well aware I am not afraid to take an unpopular stand. Whether it is criticizing NBA Commissioner David Stern, or calling out a player when I think they have messed up, I write what is on my mind. My credibility and reputation are my two most precious assets, and the reason behind any success I have had. And as long as I have a forum, I will speak out against what I consider injustices in the world of sports.

Tuesday reports started to filter out of New York that the New York Knicks were going to waive veteran point guard Stephon Marbury by the end of the week. The reports were that after the Knicks waived Marbury they would work out a settlement on the $21.9 million that he is owed for the upcoming season. Wednesday the “New York Post” reported that New York could waive him if they choose to, but Starbury will not entertain any ideas of a settlement.

Marbury reportedly is in the best shape of his career and weighs less than 200 pounds. He dedicated his Summer to getting back into shape after a disastrous season ended for him in April. The veteran was injured for most of the year, and lost his father, who he was extremely close to. Plus the team was playing with a cloud over it’s head, as it was being booed at home by its fans and ripped apart daily in the New York Tabloids. Former Team President and head coach Isiah Thomas was easily the most unpopular man in New York City. Marbury was not very far down the list.

Marbury told reporters Tuesday “There wouldn’t be no negotiation. They’re going to give me all my money. If they want to waive me and give me all my money, fine. If not, I’ll try to help this organization win the championship. They told me to come to camp in the best shape of my life and I did that. But I don’t want to be in a place I’m not wanted.”

Stephon Marbury is not a warm and cuddly human being. He does not have the natural charisma of a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. He is not considered a good guy like players such as Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard. Marbury had issues with both of his former coaches in New York, Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas. He is not a media friendly guy. There will not be one reporter in New York that will be sorry to see Starbury leave town. I am certain that he will be ripped apart in the “New York Post” and the “New York Daily News” for his stance during the upcoming days.

All the factors I just mentioned have nothing to do with the bottom line, he is owed $21.9 million. He should be paid $21.9 million, it’s just that simple. The New York Knicks are indebted to Stephon Marbury for that amount, why should he settle for less? He shouldn’t, he won’t, and I for one applaud him.

The Knicks have tried this hardball tactic earlier this year when they fired Thomas. Thomas would not settle on a buyout, so they now have him in limbo. Actually the Knicks did not fire Zeke, he is still employed by the team. He has no defined duties, nobody reports to him, he reports to Walsh. He is barred from contact with the players, but he can talk with his old pal Team Owner James Dolan. Isiah is being punished, and I have a theory as to why, it all comes down to money, namely 18 million dollars.

Last March as Isiah’s contract was up for renewal, Dolan re-signed Thomas to an extension, he is now owed contractually 18 million dollars. The Knicks are hoping eventually that Thomas will grow weary of the inactivity, and arrange a settlement. That remains to be seen.

It is a different story with Marbury, it’s one season. If the Knicks want to be spiteful and have him sit on the bench, he will do it. It will not be a great atmosphere though for new Team President Donnie Walsh, and new head coach Mike D’Antoni to try to turn around the franchise with a player who is a malcontent in the locker room.

I am not an economist by any means. To be honest I’m not great in math, my beautiful bride of almost 25 years was a math major. However isn’t what is going on with the Knicks a microcosm of what this country is going through right now? Rich people making bad decisions with no regard for the ramifications. Sounds like Knicks Team Owner James Dolan, and the “Wall Street Wizards“, wouldn’t you say?

Nobody put a gun to James Dolan’s head as he was making all the bad decisions he has made the last few years. He was the one who sent his team back to the stone age, I have no sympathy for him. Nor do I have any sympathy for Walsh or D’Antoni, they are smart men, they knew what they were walking into. It’s time for guys like James Dolan to live up to the debts he put himself into. Pay Starbury what he is owed, and move forward.

Dallas Mavericks Team Owner Mark Cuban said he felt sick to his stomach after posting fans negative comments concerning Dallas forward Josh Howard Friday. Cuban not only posted some e-mails questioning Howard’s allegiance to the USA, but posted their e-mail addresses as well. The Dallas Morning News reported that many of the e-mails printed had some vitriolic racist language as well.

Earlier this week a cellphone video by rapper LOS taken back in July at an Allen Iverson charity flag football game surfaced on YouTube. The video contained footage of Howard during the singing of the National Anthem playing to the cellphone camera. Howard said “The Star-Spangled Banner is going on right now. I don’t even celebrate that (expletive). I’m black.”

LOS was interviewed on Thursday on ESPN, and said that Howard was joking. The rapper also apologized for creating a stir with the video, but was surprised it was just surfacing now as it had been posted in July. Friday Cuban on his blog, “blog maverick” stated that Howard realized he was wrong, and his joke had backfired. Cuban said the player had apologized and that the team would work with him, and “beyond that, it’s a private issue”.

The Mavericks Owner received some very negative responses, including some with racist content. He printed a selection of them on his blog, including the e-mailers addresses. However Cuban had a change of heart. In a post entitled “I made my point.” the Team Owner explained his actions. “As much as I felt posting my “Thanks for the Advice on Josh Howard” post was the right thing to do, I have had an upset stomach all day because of it.

I thought it was important to point out the hatred and ignorance of so many who quickly judge people they have never met, based purely on soundbites and headlines. If you think you know any public figure based on what you see on TV or read on the Internet or in newspapers, you are sadly mistaken.

I wanted to point out the irony of them experiencing the onslaught of attention from suddenly and unexpectedly being placed in the media spotlight from a throwaway comment.

Try being in a position of always having to be “on” and checking for cameras, because if you let down your guard, any soundbite, even one as short as 11 seconds, can turn into headline news across the country, no matter what the context. Its not always easy. Nor is it easy to just accept that its part of being a “public figure” .

I also knew that because of the email addresses being included, they would be receiving the same level of hate, ignorance and judgment that Josh and I had. They would get the same type of ignorant email threats of “I wont do business with your company again”, from people who have never done business with their company. The “I’m going to email your boss and all your sponsors” threats, because that’s the way people try to shout down other people these days.

That’s what bothered me all day. So I have removed the post.

Hopefully something good came from it being posted.”

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Voltaire (1694–1778) The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996.

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard is not probably going to get a lot of endorsement deals in the foreseeable future. Howard who has mad skills on the court, has said some pretty controversial things in the last few months. Chances are pretty good, that products looking for a professional athlete as a spokesman for their products, will not be on the phone with Howard’s agent anytime soon.

You may remember back in April Howard decided to tell the planet via a Dallas radio show that he partakes in marijuana in the off-season. Howard was being interviewed on the “Michael Irvin Show” on the ESPN affiliate in Dallas. Howard said that the media and the fans were aware that many players partake in smoking marijuana, and that he himself enjoys it in the off-season.

When asked what Mavericks coach Avery Johnson (who was dismissed after the season) and Team Owner Mark Cuban felt about his honesty in admitting to smoking, he said that they trusted him enough as a person to allow him to make his own decisions. Not only is the possession and use of marijuana against the law in Texas, and the USA, it is also a violation of the Association Drug rules.

Howard next made headlines at the end of July. The Mavericks forward according to the “Associated Press” was arrested after engaging in some drag racing. He was clocked doing 94 mph in a 55 mph, Howard was charged with speeding, careless and reckless driving, and a speed competition. Police reported seeing a black Lexus racing against a silver Volkswagen.

The incident was eerily reminiscent of the tragic accident that claimed the life of Charlotte Hornets player Bobby Phills. Phills was racing against teammate David Wesley when he lost control of his vehicle, and crashed into another car. Phills was killed in the incident, in January of 2000.

Howard did not win himself any fans when he played the fool at a flag football game that took place in July as a charitable event put on by Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson. A video of the event surfaced recently on YouTube (see the video here please be advised that there is considerable offensive language that is used.) Our Sister Site Slam Dunk Central also has an ESPN report with a censored clip of the video Josh Howard’s Controversial Comments, as well as a discussion by two columnists. Scoop Jackson who is a columnist for “ESPN.com Page 2“, and Kevin Blackistone who is a columnist for “AOL.com.”

On the video that has surfaced on YouTube, Howard is captured on a cell phone saying “‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is going on. I don’t celebrate this (expletive). I’m black.”

It was not a thing that you say in this politically charged era that we live in that is going to win you friends and influence people. For a public figure to say that was purely stupid, even if it was a joke. Howard will be ripped apart on Sports Talk shows through out this country over the next few days.

Once he starts playing he will be booed, and booed loudly in every NBA arena but his home one. Considering that he is playing in Dallas, there is a good possibility that he will be booed there as well. Josh Howard only has himself to blame for the abuse he will suffer over the next few months. And with the culture wars that are going on right now in the USA, he will suffer abuse.

The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that Dallas Mavericks Team Owner Mark Cuban has spoken with Howard. Cuban told reporters “I have explained to him that cell phone cameras are not your friend and that what you think you said on camera is never what people will hear when it shows up on YouTube or TV.”

Blackistone says during the ESPN interview, that he would not be surprised if the Mavericks or the Association impose some sort of fine for Howard making those statements. Actually I would be shocked if they do, and if either party tries to impose a fine, the NBA Players Association better lodge a protest, and fast. This is the USA, we have something called the “Bill of Rights” which guarantees you the right to make statements like that. This is not China, or Russia where you can be punished for your political beliefs.

Now if Cuban wants to trade him because he finds the remarks distasteful, that is his right. He also has the right to release him, but he would be liable to any money owed to him under his contract. I don’t truly believe that Blackistone really thought through the ramifications of what he was suggesting. We don’t have thought police in this country Kevin. If Howard insulted the Association, the Mavericks, the officiating, yes they could fine him. But we live in a country where men and women have died, so Howard can be a stupid as he wants to be.

To even suggest that the NBA should possibly fine him, frankly scares the heck out of me. Howard will pay the price for his statements, by the treatment he receives from the nation. But you can not be punished in this country for not being patriotic. The day that we can be, is an America I never wish to see.

This was going to be the off-season of change in the “Motor City” as the Pistons were going to undergo a metamorphosis. After Detroit was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third year in a row by three different teams, there was going to be a shakeup. Rumors were that none of the veterans who brought Detroit their first NBA Championship since the days of the “Bad Boys” were off limits. Detroit Team President Joe Dumars was going to have a busy Summer.

You can now officially blow taps for the synthetic ball that the NBA tried to introduce back in the 2006-2007 campaign. As you probably remember, the Association tried to switch from the traditional leather ball, to one made out of a composite material. Problem was the players hated it, some were actually getting cuts on their fingers from using the ball. After much complaining, the Association returned the leather balls, while promising to perfect the synthetic ball before bringing it back.

Monday “ESPN The Magazine” NBA writer Ric Bucher reported that the Association has announced that it will keep using the leather ball in the NBA and the NBDL. NBA spokesman Tim Frank said “We are committed to leather for the foreseeable future. We just realized leather is what our guys wanted.”

The advantages of using the synthetic ball, which many high schools and colleges use are two-fold. First and foremost they cost less to make than leather balls, secondly there is more consistency from ball to ball. Okay, the NBA which practically has it’s own U.S. Mint, should never be worried about saving money. In fact no NCAA Division One college should worry about saving money. And as far as consistency goes, if something is consistently good, I am totally on board. But to settle for something consistently mediocre, or bad? That would be like going to a restaurant that always burns their food, because at least you know what you are getting! R.I.P. composite ball, another noble experiment that failed!

The question now becomes did they(Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers) learn anything from the experience? Such as we all have rules we have to follow, even the most talented athletes.
Sense Of Entitlement Leads Athletes On Path To Trouble

The excerpt above is from an article written on September 4, that I wrote concerning an incident that took place earlier this week. “ESPN The Magazine” NBA beat writer Chris Broussard reported former Kansas Jayhawks stars now NBA rookies Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were sent home by Association officials, from the NBA Rookie Transition Program.

Broussard reported that the pair apparently set off a smoke alarm at 2:00 am Wednesday in their hotel room. The rookies refused to open the door, so hotel security opened the door with a pass key. Broussard reported that Chalmers who is now with the Miami Heat, and Arthur who is with the Memphis Grizzlies were found in the room with two women, and allegedly the room smelled from marijuana. There were no drugs or drug paraphernalia found in the room according to the report. All rookies were told that they were not allowed visitors or guests during their stay.

NBA Commissioner David Stern was none to happy with the incident according to reports. He is said to have told the remaining rookies about the incident, and that the pair would be forced to attend the same session next year. Friday the “Memphis Commercial Appeal” reported that Grizzlies power forward Darrell Arthur spoke with reporters about the incident. Although he denied any involvement with pot, he took full responsibility for breaking the rules about visitors. And judging from his statements, Arthur has learned a very valuable lesson from what took place.

The paper reports that Arthur spoke with Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni and General Manager Chris Wallace about his behavior. Arthur told reporters “I told them it won’t happen again. I want people to know I’m a good kid. I used bad judgment by bringing the girls in and violating the rules. This is the first really bad thing that’s happened to me. But I’m going to prove to people that I’m worthy to be on this team, I have good character and I’ll be good in the community.”

Incredible, isn’t it? This young man actually gets it! No excuses, no ducking responsibility. He is flat out admitting he was wrong. Somebody who owns up to their actions, in 2008 it’s actually pretty refreshing! And maybe even more incredibly, he wants youngsters to learn from his mistake.

Arthur said “I want kids not to make the mistake I made. I want to try to teach them the right thing to do. If you follow the rules you won’t be in the same position I’m in. I feel terrible. I should have never opened the door. If I wouldn’t have done that, everything would have been cool. I knew the rules and I made a mistake. The thing I’ve learned is that you’ve always got to make the right decisions. I’m young and starting off in a hole so I’m going to try to dig myself out of this hole and make this thing right. I’m going to make sure I do the right thing. The rules are clear. Letting those girls come in my room was just a bad idea. It was bad judgment and I just have to learn from it.”

Darrell as far as this reporter is concerned, you have climbed out of the hole you created. Not only climbed out, but put back all the dirt, and laid fresh sod on top. No one in this world is perfect, we all make mistakes. What you have proved to at least one NBA observer, is you are enough of an adult to admit you were wrong. And if you retain the attitude you have, along with the talent you showed at Kansas you are going to be in good shape.