Posted on 11/07/2005 9:09:48 PM PST by gpapa
Symbols matter. That's ABC for most black Americans when it comes to, say, Confederate flags, and for some black Americans even when it comes to the mere utterance of a word like "niggardly."
But last month, star black basketball players were suddenly blind to the nature of symbolism when the National Basketball Association's Commissioner David Stern initiated a dress code for players when they make public appearances. From now on, basketball players representing their employers will wear sport jackets--and save the sunglasses, headphones, baggy sweatpants, massive jewelry, sideways baseball caps and do-rags for clubbing later that night.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
About time. And the NBA should trade the street thugs for basketball players.
Since Jordan retired, the NBA has always had that hip-hop thug image. The league needs to be overhauled anyway. I say bring back the short-shorts and the knee-high socks from the 80s.
BUMP - I know you're a big NBA fan, what do you think about this?
Yup, you got that right.
Feh. Basketball is a self-esteem sport anyway. How many other sports average 100 goals per game?
ABOUT TIME I am Laker fan I remember when Magic Johson used come in niceee business suit
ME???
A "big NBA fan"???
You gotta be kidding...
Geeez, I used to enjoy watching Bill Russell get matched up against Chamberlain back in the '60s,
but when I started playing in HS, I totally lost interest in watching the pros and spent more time playing pick-up or practicing every chance I got. The final nail in the coffin was when Alcindor changed his name to Jabbar. (Nothing "wrong" with that except I figure people should be proud of the name that their parents stuck 'em with.)
Anyway, I don't have much respect for the pros.
Cripes, they have so much more talent and ability than I was ever able to develop, yet the league let's them get away with a very sloppy version of the game because it's more "exciting" for the fans.
B...S...!!!
I know that (once again (((sigh))) ) I'm in the minority opinion on this. But I figure that, if anything, pros oughta be held to a more stringent version of the rules. Afterall, it IS supposed to be a non-contact sport, you know!
LOL! And I doubt if any of 'em remember how to dribble without traveling or palming the ball.
And get rid of that 3-point shot and make 'em work the ball into the basket... And eject any hotdog bozo who grabs and hangs on to the rim... And what's this nonsense with "taking turns" instead of having jump-balls??? Cripes, whata bunch of pansies!!! Make 'em JUMP!!!
But don't get me wrong, I'm not totally against change...
For instance, perhaps it's time that they raise the hoop another foot or two. And another interesting twist would be if they borrowed the penalty box from hockey! For some infractions, make a player sit-down for a minute or two and let the team play shorthanded 4 on 5 for a while! (Wouldn't want to do it for all fouls... still want to put pressure on 'em at the foul line. But maybe they could do it for "technicals")
Me??? An NBA fan???
Nah!!!
But what's my opinion about the dress code?
It's OK, I guess.
At least it's a step in the right direction.
Considering all the $$$ they're being paid, they DO need to be better disciplined.
Just my 2¢ but thanks for asking!
(Aren't you sorry??? I bet you never do THAT again!!!
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