NBA Commisioner Stern Takes Cheap Shot at Bush & Ashcroft

ESPN News services ^ | 9/23/03 | ESPN.com News Services

[dmzTahoe]

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said that Kobe Bryant, despite awaiting a potential sexual assault trial in Colorado, should continue to play for the Lakers this season.

"Absolutely," Stern, when asked if Bryant should play, told the Los Angeles Times for Tuesday's editions. "We don't have a Patriot Act in the NBA. That means that you're innocent until proven guilty.

"If every time someone was accused and there were allegations, [if] they were required to stop their life, that wouldn't be a good thing. That could be their choice, but they shouldn't be forced to [stop]."

[dmzTahoe]

So Stern is showing his true feelings. His opinion is that the Patriot Act calls for a person to be guilty until proven innocent. I wonder if he realizes the effort being made to ensure that all sporting events, including his beloved NBA, are safe environments for both fans and players. Talk about an ungrateful human being...

[ambrose]

I wonder if David Stern was one of those who felt that Bob Packwood should resign.

[Lexington Green]

The dems and NOW should have no problem with Kobe playing. Clinton continued to play after charges of rape and sexual assault.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Talk about an ungrateful human being... - Agreed!

[dmzTahoe]

probably right.

In his next job, he'd be qualified to run a Prison system.
He should be known as Warden Stern.

[caisson71]

If Stern means what he says, why isn't Kobe playing? I encourage Stern to put up or shut up. Play Kobe and see how the fans react. What does it have to do with The Patriotic Act?

[chiller]

I don't blame Stern for taking that position. He's got to support his 'constitutents'. Otherwise, wouldn't most of the NBA be in jail for one reason or another.

[dead]

That means that you're innocent until proven guilty.

“Innocent until proven guilty” applies only to a court of law.

Everyday people are free to form their own opinions about the guilt or innocence of any other person accused of a crime.

And sports teams or leagues are free to make decisions about the conduct of the participants they put on the floor for what they bill as “family entertainment.”

They are making a conscious choice to allow Kobe Bryant to play, despite what they know are the facts concerning his behavior. Throwing up the meaningless “innocent until proven guilty” canard is a cop out because they are embarrassed by their own decision.

[PRND21]

If Stern means what he says, why isn't Kobe playing?

It's the off season. Kobe is scheduled to play.

[per loin]

Stern's job is to keep dollars flowing into the NBA. If rapists increase the dollar flow, he'll use them, and the fans of the NBA will continue handing in the money.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Huh? Was somebody preventing Kobe from playing prior to his conviction?

This is a league which has a disproportionate number of thugs and low-lifes who play a game that barely resembles basketball. I haven't watched in a long time.

[caisson71]

Good. Than he does intend to allow Kobe to play. My question remains, why the reference to The Patriot Act?

[dmzTahoe]

agree. I'll start watching again when they institute an affirmative action program that will allow us white men who can't jump a spot on the roster.

[pointsal]

Another reason to spend my descretionary dollar$ elsewhere.

[dmzTahoe]

Why the reference to the Patriot Act?

Because he was without a reasonable response, so he thought he'd have a "clever" answer. I've never thought too highly of this guy. He was in the right place at the right time when guys like Magic, Bird and MJ made the NBA the elite of the sporting leagues. Now he is letting the inmates run the asylum.

[blackie]

Stern is a smarmy jerk!

[aristeides]

In the NBA, money rules.

I wonder if the Kobots on this forum will now have second thoughts about what they are supporting.

[dmzTahoe]

bump

[anncoulteriscool]

If I was thinking of going to an NBA game I would not go now given that arrogant attitude of people like Stern. I've lived here for 13 years and I think I've only been to about 5 games.

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't like David Stern, but he's right about some portions of the Patriot Act, particulary asset freezes and forfeitures. It's also known as 'affirmative defense'.