WE'VE ALL BEEN HOSED BY THE N.O.W. GANG: Why I Feel Sorry for Kobe

[TheSpottedOwl]

Kobe had Street Cred way before this incident. ESPN don't know what the !@#$ they're talking about. You mean to tell me that man couldn't walk on any playground and get some time on the court? Please.... Don't believe everything you read.

I don't have the vaguest idea of what they mean by street cred. It didn't sound too good to me, if getting charged with rape gives you more of it. I don't know about his endorsements, but Kobe isn't going to get jail time.

[tbowling]

Basically, what they mean is, can he walk up to any park, and they will let him play basketball with them. Yes he can. Kobe is the next best thing since sliced bread, in the terms of the basketball world. Street cred has nothing to do with it.

[clockwork]

If you want to make this into a "pigmentation" issue, you're free to do so, but it may be your nature to bring "pigmentation" into the discussion. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't.

Sorry I took so long to respond...been on vacation from work and FR. Yes, I think this case is going to be all about "pigmentation" before its over. You probably believe that OJ was railroaded by the LA cops and his trial had nothing to do with "pigmentation"....just an innocent guy (and loving husband) saved by twelve civic minded citizens (and certainly a jury of his peers!) doing their lawful duty. The simple matter is that if a white athelete/coach/commentator steps the least little bit out of line nobody in the organization stands up for him, but the reverse is true when the athelete/coach/commentator is "of color". Look at how gingerly Dusty Baker's comments were treated recently as opposed to Jimmy the Greek's back in the 80s. Look at how John Rocker was practically thrown out of baseball for saying he didn't want to ride on a train in New York because the passengers made him uncomfortable. No fellow Brave (player, coach, management) came to his defense even though the Braves had just been through an emotional playoff series with the Mets. A series in which projectiles were thrown at him from the stands and his fiancee was doused with beer by Met's fans. Meanwhile, a few years later here in Atlanta, Ray Lewis participates in a double homocide and the whole Ravens organization goes bananas defending him. Allan Iverson, does a rap video slammin' hoes and queers, then throws his spouse out of the house naked...the fans adore him. Latrell Sprewell chokes a white coach and he's welcomed as a hero in New York. Roberto Alomar spits in a white umpire's face and its no big deal...he gets elected to the All Star team the next two years,etc...but I digress. You're right, race was not a component in any of these stories...couldn't be...and certainly won't be in the Kobe case.

[Catspaw]

You're full of crap. Don't presume to tell me what I think.

[clockwork]

Now, now, calm down...my what a thoughtful and probing response. Having read your thorough retort to my many examples on the "pigmentation" issue we can now both sit back and pretend that race plays no part in the way that Kobe and his alleged victim are treated over the next few months. Just remember that John Rocker never assaulted anyone, raped anyone, spit on anyone and yet, out of all those examples, he was the only one required to undergo sensitivity and diverstity training by the league office...curious isn't it? In fact, during his minor league years in Macon, GA several of the Braves players, who happened to be black, lived with Rocker and his parents. Did any one of those players adamantly come to his defense? Enjoy the double standard over the next few months...it should be fun to watch. I'm sure that Nike and Coke will be fully participating.

[Catspaw]

Given that your psychic powers know what I think, I'll just let you obsess about "pigmentation." Don't bother to ping me again. I won't respond.

[clockwork]

Don't bother to ping me again. I won't respond.

Heck, you didn't respond the last time although you did take up some bandwidth....so I won't hold my breath this time.

[tbowling]

Wow!!1 I hate to say this, but I agree that race will play a big role in this case. Believe it or not, I would prefer that this be a all white jury, than an all black. I think it would favor him more, than anything.