The NBA has shut down it's playoff season to protest police misconduct toward minorities
Who is online
117 visitors
I'm not a fan of Labron James, but to him and the rest of the NBA..... KUDOS.
They only way this issue with excessive force being used by police against people of color is to elevate it. I wouldn't be surprised if other sports do the same.
It will be interesting if this gets mentioned tonight during the RNC.....
I'm not sure it's true, yet, but I have seen and heard this afternoon commentary to the effect that this is a landmark event in civil rights history. I guess it depends on what it leads to.
good lord, what are they sacrificing? What are they accomplishing? They'll get some silly fawning headlines from woke journalists and then go back to work and collect their paychecks.
They'll lose nothing and gain a day off. Are they going to stop playing every time a child molester gets shot? I got news for you, this is a country of 300 plus million people with a lot of violent criminals. Some of them are going to get shot. That's inescapable.
People dont take to folks getting shot in the back. By the police.
I think the NBA cancellation will be momentous if it leads to canceling the rest of the playoffs. One day of cancellations, not so much. we'll see.
I note your 'black out' avatar. Mine to follow (in solidarity).
The NBA players are using what power they have against those that have power to say..... People of color are coming to destroy your suburban neighborhood.
ok
That will never happen though. the games will be delayed 48 hours and start right back up.
The owners will write a check and the players will be the subject of countless journalists articles about how brave they are. Just don't ask them to speak out on an issue that might hurt the NBA financially.
and then in a couple months, someone else will be shot by police.
Nobody wants to not play or work. Nobody wants this kind of decision in their "In-box." Nobody ASKED to be brave for just being black-skinned. But, you know how the saying goes:
'If you don't stand up for somebody or something, maybe you ain't nothing much in yourself.'
It is a modification on a saying. Incidentally, it is not directly pointed at you Sean. We've all got to fix this. Or else, the country will just keep growing old with perpetual bad case of mental sickness!
I don't feel as if that message will be received well by most folks. Of course, threats never are.
Not sure that is the image BLM wants people to have of them, either.
But you may be right--maybe that IS the real message.
You rock today!
The NBA is demoralized, Texan. At some point, it begins,. . . the videos can not be denied. . .in these cases, black male identity and humanity is under assault. Black males are not demons possessed of extraordinary strength and lack of reasoning. Surely, black males understand the power of the weapons assigned to police officers. We all do! So what is happening in these incidents, really?
The time has come to get to the bottom of this. People of color live in suburbs already.
Not a thing to do with my post,
There are no scary minorities coming to tear up the 'burbs' Texan. That only happens in franchise movies like, "The Purge." The real message in here is this: Propaganda is alive and kicking!
you manage to never really answer any of my posts, so why do you respond to them?
Where did you manage to fire off a question in my direction recently?
Maybe you never respond to the content of my posts because you aren't following along very closely.
Maybe, but I kind of doubt it.
Now (maybe) you are talking to yourself (was that your inside voice)? You typed it 'aloud.' Oh well,. . .boots.
Pretend all you want, it doesn't change anything except in your mind.
I'm a fan of Lebron James. I like that he speaks his mind. I am a huge fan of Steph Curry, also. Good men.
Unless China tells him to shut up and dribble or they'll take his money away. He literally profits off slavery through Nike and China, but he won't speak up about that.
Never forget he faked a hate crime too. The NBA's Smollett
[deleted]
[deleted]
This will get deleted by the moderators, but enough will see it before it does.
What did he say that was racist?
If you really have to have it explained to you.... then you either wouldn't understand, or you are part of the problem. And looking at you statemen in 5.0..... [deleted]
[deleted]
Not a thing that isn't true
[deleted]
[deleted]
No, I wouldn't. Pal. Not a chance.
Simply reporting the facts...you need to calm down.
You are good at being calm. Some say comatose.
Everything I said was true. LeBron, like Steve Kerr or Greg Popovich, only speak out when it's safe to do so and they will be called heroes.
Look at how they piled on Daryl Morey for speaking out about the abuses in Hong Kong. No one can wear a "free Hong Kong" jersey in the bubble. OR "stop slavery in China" Too much money to made from exploiting slaves to protest that.
[deleted]
I am not in any way a fan of the Chinese government. Not at all. I was really reacting to your spurious charge that he "faked a hate crime". Go ahead and cite what you consider your proof.
As for Steve Kerr and Greg Popovich, I say good for them and more power to them.
Go ahead fly, explain it. Stop with the lame “if you have to have blahblahblah” and explain it, because i don’t think you can. people that see “racist” in every little thing they don’t like are the problem.
Lebron claimed the gate to his mansion was vandalized with a slur. He called the police, but:
Why eliminate the evidence of a crime? If your window was broken and someone broke into your house would you fix the window before the police arrived? Of course not. If you actually wanted the crime scene to help aid in the capture of a perpetrator doesn’t everyone know not to touch evidence at the scene?
Now LeBron said the reason they painted over the slur was so it wouldn’t be visible in the neighborhood, but look at the gate to LeBron’s home, that gate slides open all the way the gate isn’t visible from the road ONCE IT SLIDES OPEN. (The gate is clearly visible from the road when it is not open. Stop sending me these Tweets. Also, read better). The racial slur could have been left on the gate and no one would have even known it happened if LeBron had merely wanted to hide it from the prying eyes of the public.
So why the rush to cover it up with new paint before the police arrived? Doesn’t that seem suspicious? Especially when the police are going to arrive rapidly on the scene and you’re already drawing attention to the home by having police arrive in the first place.
F urthermore, how strange is it that early in the morning there would be the exact right paint available and that someone could be found to paint over the slur before police arrived? Remember, police were called at 6:44 AM. That’s pretty early to go buy paint, find someone to paint over the graffiti, and have the painting complete so that it’s not visible for police.
And why was no one else’s surveillance camera able to pick up footage of an alleged perpetrator committing a crime in an incredibly wealthy neighborhood like this? We’re talking about dozens of surveillance cameras surrounding these homes. LeBron’s home cost over twenty million. Wouldn’t you want to protect the home?
We know police were called at 6:44 AM. The sun comes up in Los Angeles at that time of year at 5:30 AM. So we’re talking about well over an hour, potentially two hours, during which this racial slur should have been visible to anyone on the street out walking their dogs, out for a morning jog, just out driving to work early in the morning. Everyone in the neighborhood would know this is LeBron’s house and seeing a racial slur emblazoned on a gate would be incredibly shocking.
In an era when everything goes viral how is it that no one in the neighborhood snapped a photo of the home with a racial slur on it?
Those who think there are not a lot of racist cops are delusional.
Yeah, I whine about slavery and oppose billion dollar corporations and millionaires who use forced labor and exploit women and children abroad while playing as social justice champions at home. Sorry if complaining about slavery offends you.
I remember when liberals used to oppose exploiting people. But, hey, you get sick commercials puffing you up about how woke you are, so I guess it's worth it.
I don’t think you’re following along, john. What does your comment have to do with my comment?
Keep talking Gazoo.... You are proving my point for all to see...
Ok, just as i suspected, you can’t explain, and it’s there for all to see. 😂
I have read that article before and figured it would be the one you cited. Weak arguments. It didn't convince me then and it doesn't convince me now.
The guy who wrote that is an idiot. Any property manager for a multi-million dollar mansion has 'touch up' paint on hand. Hell, I manage a $500,000 property that's 'historic' and are required to use specific colors on the exterior. We keep at least a gallon of each exterior color on hand at all times.
BTW, I'd suggest that the idiot recognize that technology allows homeowners to take pictures of damage for insurance and police reports prior to making repairs.
Oh and one more thing about that article. The idiot actually implied that LeBron James, yes the LeBron James, with 47 MILLION twitter followers, would damage his own property to 'draw attention to himself'.
What a gallactic idiot.
I thought that you and yours were all about 'America First'. Where is all your hand wringing over the horror show that is America?
I disagree.
I think that people that won't acknowledge the existence of racism, no matter how overt and glaring expressed, are the problem.
I think everyone acknowledges racism. Just as everyone knows that pedophilia exists. Just as mental illness exists. Just as everyone knows xenophobia exists. Just as everyone knows that homophobia exists. Well you get the picture (or not probably). But to think we are going to blanket change ALL people's minds is pure virtue signaling, arrogant bullshit. No group or gang of people no matter what they do are going to change the nature of over 7 billion earth inhabitants.
So WHAT are your suggestions for mitigating those issues Jim?
Or is it your ridiculous posit that we should just throw our hands up and pretend that nothing can change?
I for one would take umbrage with that attitude, especially since our history, from the very beginning, proves that we as a society have indeed made huge strides in making change in this country AND in the minds of our people. Much of it in the very issues you cited.
Jim, you shouldn't just throw your hands up and pretend nothing can change. I know that must be your argument because it is precisely what you didn't say!
As stated, you, and very few others if any, are going to change the world. If you think ours is the only country with that/those attitudes you are sorely mistaken. It is an admirable position (again mostly virtue signaling at this point) And if we DO change every heart and mind in the US, It will not stop the rest of the world from their ingrained beliefs and therefore we will have to deal with it as immigration continues. Points in fact. China, practically the whole of the Middle East, etc. They all have problems, in the view of the US, in these areas.
Yep. SSDD
I spoke of OUR country and it's happened HERE more than once.
I don't.
Like 'American Exceptionalism'?
There will always be re-gressives and and those who reject modernity.
Living here changes 'ingrained beliefs'. It always has and it always will.
That's pretty funny since Trump insists that China has been eating our lunch. As for the Middle East, hasn't Trump curtailed most of them from immigrating? No worries.
Fix America First!
Some Trump supporters with blinders on and flashing are the problem. They want others to suck it up and just go along to get along with their version of 'America'! Ignore personal ambitions, drives, and social needs -reasonable though they are- commit to serving Trump and his supporters concepts of 'America.' What a bunch of . . . .
Did you mean to drop fear of homosexuals/homsexuality in that 'little shop of horrors' (racism/pedophilia/mental illness/xenophobia)?
We don't have to blanket change ALL people's minds: let's just start the process in our individual minds, shall we? Empty out implicit and explicit bias right now! Do it with me.
It's lethargic!
This is not a fait accompli. Just adjust, readjust, and/or change your attitude and radiate openness and look for the effects it will have on many others around and beyond you!
Who is not acknowledging racism exists? A person claims a post is racist, gets called out on that claim, then cannot explain why that post is racist. Are you ok with that type of behavior? That does nothing to further a discussion. How does that behavior benefit anyone?
Many people do, including some here.
What type of 'behavior' are you asking about? Some people can't articulate their reasons. Some are just cowards and can't admit that they're full of shit. Others couldn't say 'my bad' if their fucking lives depended on it. It doesn't matter if I'm okay with it or not. It happens here all the time, and the same person will spew the same bullshit the next day with no conscience like he didn't bail the day before.
It doesn't but if it is a major obstacle for you, you're going to have a hard time here.
“Many people do, including some here.”
maybe it’s happened but i have yet to see anyone on nt’ers post that racism doesn't exist.
if some people can’t articulate their claims then they really shouldn’t be making them.
and no, it’s not an obstacle for me at all.
This gripped my heart
I saw this early on Morning Joe. All day been wanting to post it to a commentator (still might different article). Then you beat me to it here. No problem!
You're right. This is the real deal, PJ. This is what it is all about. Black people never asked to be America's "special" case! We just want(present tense yet) to be regular citizens, instead we remained burdened with all this. . . "baggage."
AMERICA! Can you live up to the Constitution for everyone?! Okay?!
Doc Rivers hit it spot on in this interview.....
Respect. (I see your heart, FlyNavy1!)
The players are going to meet tonight to discuss the cancellation of the remainder of the playoffs.
What do they think that would do?
Who cares. When these pampered, spoiled athletes come out against other athletes that commit domestic abuse or any other crimes many of these athletes are guilty of committing then i’ll listen. Until then, who cares what these idiots think or do.
You're conflating issues. I do not understand how anyone could watch the clip I posted of Doc Rivers and not have the tiniest bit of compassion.
Compassion is totally free
I’m not sure Gazoo is the one conflating issues here. NBA players get paid to play basketball, not make social commentary. One more reason they are losing market share each year and many teams are losing money.
Not the players though, they’re still making bank. Albeit a slightly reduced amount
Not everything is transactional. Let's shift it away from money and back towards humanity.
The players are using their power to elevate this issue. These players have sons and daughters that may be pulled over for driving while black.
The owners don't get a return on their investment it the players don't play. They get uncomfortable.
It is the goal of the players that just maybe, these owners, through their contacts in their cities will get some pressure on their respective police departments to change that which needs to be changed. So games can start being played again.
This isn't about money for the players, but it is for the owners.
Be glad to when the players AND owners do. shift away from money that is. And you don’t get to establish the rules on what is “transitional” and what isn’t. However, the people paying to watch them do.
The fact remains people are tuning them out in droves. Again people don’t pay to watch them protest. They pay to watch them play hoops but less and less each year. And I predict this act will hit them even harder.
Perhaps you can get all the people that support their actions to make up the difference though.
Good luck!
You can try to sell that shinola to someone else. The players have zero high ground on money issues. The players unions make sure of that ....
Look, I could care less what they do. The more they do things like this the more they shoot themselves in the foot
Boycott has moved into baseball now..... and the WNBA. If the NFL players join, it's going to hard to be on the wrong side of this argument.
Sports tend to cut across demographic lines like no other entity. Young-old, black-white, male-female all follow sports, and will find people in all of of those group to listen to what they say.
Dismiss as you please, but I think your going to find yourself as part of the fossil record as currently 70% of Americans support Black Lives Matters. At those sort of percentages, change will happen.
These athletes are like the hollyweirds. They have egos bigger than what their importance really is.
Nobody gives a shit.
Mohammad Ali.... Jim Brown... Bill Russel.... Nah, nobody every listened to what they had to say.
Buy some high tech automatons, program them, and play away tonight, Sparty On. If you so disregard the humanity of the ballplayers, then surely machines will suit your entertainment needs.
Yeah. I know what you mean. Got it.
We will see ....... and just so we are all on the same page. 70% of Americans (probably more actually) support the core concept of BLM and not all the nonsense that has come with it. Thats because most Americans believe that all lives matter equally. Not one more than another ..... all are equal.
Equal means, one doesn't get "preferential treatment" over another in any way simply because of their color. It also mean one doesn't get mistreated over another. Equal means, one doesn't get "reparations" from another for something that happened hundreds of years ago. And few agree with the marxist underpinnings of the groups leaders. I could go on.
That said if all Pro sports go away i could care less. Their loss not mine.
And i know i'm not alone in that sentiment. Far from it actually. Lots of "fossils" (as you would say) out there on this one.
It's been unwatchable for quite a long time imo. I haven't watched a full game in over a decade. I watch highlights from time to time on ESPN but that's about it.
Allright, everyone, enough with the NBA is 'unwatchable' stuff. Has zero to do with the topic of this seed.
Alright John, enough with "this has zero to do with the topic of this seed" stuff.
That the NBA was already unwatchable is spot on topic. The point is, no one cares what they do or don't do and haven't for quite some time.
If you don't think so i suggest you change the title.
Its not on topic, and your contention that "nobody cares" what the NBA does is bizarre, they have many many millions of fans.
In the 2018/19 season, the total attendance was at almost 22 million.
That doesnt count the millions who watch on television.
I'll just lock the article. Doesnt bother me a bit.
I dont mind people briefly going off topic to mention something sort of connected to the issue. But to go on and on and on with it over dozens of comments? No.
It is on topic, it's just not what you want to hear. Nothing new there with you calling something like that .... of topic. And it's far from bizarre. As noted, the NBA has been on a steady ratings slide for years. Nearly 50% in the last ten years.
Why do you think that is? Because it is becoming more popular?
See above
Knock yourself out. No one else is going to cry over your spilt milk either.
You said "no one cares" about the NBA. That is objectively ridiculous. Ratings being down does not equate to "no one cares. "
NBA games averaged over 17,000 in attendance across every game over the entire NBA 2019-2020 season.
The article you linked is about this covid shortened season when playoff games are being played in the middle of workdays. It would be a surprise if the ratings werent down.
As I said, I dont mind a little off topic comments but there are many comments on this seed about how the person doesnt like basketball, or the players make too much money, or "no one cares" about the NBA. All of that is off topic.
Lol ... you're going to parse words over that? Hilarious!
John, i clearly quoted what the article clearly states. That NBA rating are down over 50% in the last ten years. Of course i don't need the article i linked to know that. This ratings decline is not related to only this pandemic. People have been tuning out on the NBA for years and for various reasons. This just gives them one more.
And like i said, knock yourself out. It's your bag of marbles.
Yawn. It strikes me you trivialize a great many things. I find it well, "interesting" that opinionated commentators, like Laura Ingraham, making contractual millions to talk nightly about politics are okay with you (and she does not even "dribble" or "shut up"), but you often discount others who step outside their professions to actively express real concern and displeasure with police shootings and in some cases outright murder, even if done under the banner of law.
I don't need a light to see through the state of your argument, Sparty On.
Powers over whom?
You guys hate the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NASCAR, what you going to do? I guess there's always Dancing with the Stars. That is, as long as there are no athletes are on it.
lol
It's called, "grace." And for those like me who believe in God, the giver of privileges, talents, and every type and kind of fortunes pleads with humanity to extend it to itself—routinely!
Yes, and they were all replaced. There will always be someone willing to step in and take over.
These overpaid, over pampered, egomaniacs need to learn they are all replaceable.
Cancel everything, every last damn sporting event, who the hell cares? The vast majority of us will move on to something else; and when they decide they want their money and come back we will have moved on. Let them play to nearly empty stadiums, and piss poor ratings. I am sure the owners will be happy to keep forking over their money when the profits stop.
Frankly I am hoping they cancel the NFL season, I will save money- no NFL Sunday Ticket to watch the Steelers. It is the only reason I have DirecTv; so I will save even more by canceling that. I am sure I won't be alone. That should make the NFL and broadcasters happy.
Why wait - get ahead of the 'rush' - cancel DirectTV already. You are partially the problem. You would rather minorities and some whites too continue to get gratuitous 'justice' on the streets instead of a courtroom, in my opinion. Professional black ballers have every right to speak out about this, before they , their children, or any family member is damaged for life or graveyard dead at the hands of callous, unsympathetic "peace officers!"
Dispel the myth. These officers know what they are doing. It is the public that are catching them in the act because of phone cameras.
There is this little thing called "the outdoors" where one can go out and play all those sports themselves. And these other things called "books" and these other things called "family activities" and .... i could go on
That said, most of us don't want our social commentary from sports just like we don't want to get our sports from social commentary. Pro athletes, and actors have an overly inflated ego when it comes to the value of their opinions to society in general.
Pass your football, hit your homer run, shoot your hoop or drive your car really fast in a circle but few give a shit what your opinion is over anyone else.
This is going to hurt all pro sports and then they'll whine like little bitches because of it. Just like washed up Colin Kapernick.
Yeah, enjoy that muva.
Tell that to sports aficionados. BTW, what kind of aficionado are you? Let us take a good long look into their profession with you. Whining fail.
What the hell are babbling on about now? And why do you have a need to always take it personal? That's pretty messed up there CB.
That said I'll remind you that this article isn't about your disconnected rambling about me so i suggest your find another location to offload that venom.
.
It still resonates with the triggered only.
I have no problem with the core message. Never have but can't accept how he chose to show it. I would have respected him much more had he not shit on the NA when he did it and save the rationalizations on why that wasn't shitting on the NA or that isn't what it was. I'll never buy that shinola nor do i accept what some are trying to turn the core message into. Reparations, universal income, reverse discrimination on others, etc, etc.
Pro sports are pushing this too far if they keep this up. All of them. Mark my words ......
It's a simple question. And some people take you written abuse of sports figures as personal. Either engage the discussion or drop it. No more of your feeling, please.
You beat me to it.
The athletes talk among themselves. The 'culprits' are eventually found out or washed out of the leagues. Also, some of them may have the proverbial, "drop the dime" calls made against them by other players who can not abide the 'poison' personalities in their ranks.
And why do you call them pampered? Do you call putting your adolescent body on the line coming up through competitive ranks to professional status: "pamphered"? The owners don't consider their players pampered so why should you?
Basketball players likely feel more responsibility to speak out on racial issues than those players in other sports. Although it didnt start out that way, basketball became a "city" game a long time ago. For many years, decades really, the majority of the top stars at every level of organized basketball, in the US, have been black. In the last few decades the game gained wide popularity overseas and now there are many non black stars throughout the world. But in the US it is seen as a black game, at the elite level. NBA culture is a spinoff of black urban culture from the cities.
It is not surprising that the NBA players would feel some responsibility to respond to these policing issues.
There is no wide spread racism against blacks by police. It's a liberal pack of lies.
This country needs to become what our Constitution says we are.
This is a serious question and not meant to be snarky. How would you explain what has happened in the last 3- 5 months?
for me, it's inevitable that in a country with 3 hundred million people that some interactions with police arresting violent criminals are going to go wrong. Just like Lightening strikes . Or cows killing farmers. It' statistically inevitable. The statistics don't lie. Last year 14 unarmed blacks were killed by police. 25 white. And that number has been dropping...
Okay, I hear your point. So what you are acknowledging is that several black men recently have been murdered by police?
I personally know about a dozen Chicago cops. When I say know I mean they are friends, relations , friends of friends and people I know from parties or softball games. I know them and have been exposed to how they think.
I guarantee you that more than half of them are PREJUDICED against black people. I have heard them say it.
Suspects resisting detainment or arrest, going for a gun, attacking the LEO's....who end up dead and happen to be black.
Some fools say it's systemic racism...which it clearly isn't.
Okay, so your position is that there is only one form of handling suspects who are resisting detainment and that is by deadly force.
I'll wait on their trials before saying it was murder, but the Minnesota case in particular looks real bad.
As long as they are facing juries when necessary, then the system works.
No, they haven't been '"murdered", circumstances vary in every case.
But I haven't heard them, and it's hard to believe what you say.
Thanks Sean. I typically share your position and I appreciate you keeping an open mind.
There have been a couple statements made lately that really have made me look at situations like this differently. Hearing people ask whether resisting arrest warrants the death penalty and hearing Doc Rivers express his feelings has really made me pause. I hope others will just take a moment to pause too and consider their statements.
They prefer the cop dead than the criminal.
I dont care what you think Greg. This racism in cops has been going on as long as anyone can remember. It is widespread. Not just in Chicago but everywhere.
If 1 in 5 of those who were studied made racist or bigoted facebook posts, now many do you think there are out there that are smart enough to keep it off social media?
Was that a version of so-called, "clinical" analysis, Sean? In a land of rules, circumstances and degrees matter when people are shot, choked, assaulted, injured, damaged, or murdered!
Policing is not a license to kill, not even accidentally! And for the record: White Lives Matter (too)! Why is there no protests for white murders and injuries by law authorities? Whose responsibility is it to mount the efforts?
Is there no practical training in immobilizing a 'suspect'? You have no proof of a gun. Besides 7 shots to the back region is considered cowardly from a man's POV. Jacob Blake should never have been allowed to open the car door with so many officers on the scene. After all, there were children in the car-it served no policing purpose to allow him entry to the kids.
So why did they allow him to open the car door?
and of rules, circumstances and degrees matter when people are shot, choked, assaulted, injured, damaged, or murdered!
I agree, it's an unspeakable tragedy whenever an innocent life is taken. But utopia doesn't exist. Humans are flawed. Tragedies will happen. We live in one of the most peaceful eras and places in human history, but bad things still happen. No matter how many games are cancelled, no matter how many bricks are thrown at police officers or minority owned businesses are destroyed by rioters, a few white and black people will be killed wrongly by police every year. The only alternatives result in thousands of more innocent people being killed.
These shootings are trending, Sean! Now, define "few white and black people." Give me your version of "best practices" re: Shootings, choking, assaults, injuries, damages, or murders.
But they ARE misrepresented, as in your comment.
Your numbers are for unarmed people SHOT. They do not include ALL unarmed people KILLED by police, people like George Floyd or Elijah McClain or Eric Garner.
What are those numbers then?
You found the ones that you misrepresented without my help.
Please proceed.
Please read my comment more carefully.
NONE of the people I cited were shot.
No comment. Emphatically.
Put another way; sometimes it really can be reduced down to just the skins we are compelled to wear and do so well.
This is not a class issue or issue of civility versus savagery. Our 'ballers' have commonality and dispirited about what happened to young Jacob Blake, who is going to live life in extraordinary physical jeopardy from now on.
Listen up, everyone! I have had to do too much moderation on this article already. Stop with the insults and veiled racial comments.
I could care less what a bunch of men who get way overpaid for bouncing a ball do.
They don t get paid for bouncing a ball, they get paid for putting it through the hoop and preventing the other team from doing so. It's called entertainment.
They are overpaid for doing that to
Obviously our resident player critics don't get that basketball is a profession, career, the men have really good brains in their heads, and without them. . . what would the owners do with the sport, in and of itself?
We would like to be overpaid at something, now wouldn't we all? Get a good agent and go see your boss!
Millionaires take a three day weekend. Film at 11.
today is wednesday
That's how screwed up everything is. The week has now become meaningless.
They shot him in the back because he had a knife?
So this is all about a knife wielding child molester who got shot while resisting arrest?
2020 is nuts.
You're right. The worst person in the world is running for president again and you are going to vote for him. It surely is nuts.
You've been saying this for 4 years now and have yet to back up the claim.
Uh, do you know to read? At this point I would guess there are millions of words in print and cyberspace that detail Trump's Mt Everest of personal faults, immoralities, pathological lying, bigotry, imbecility , cheating, bullying , venality and criminality.
You act like no one has ever heard of these things before. It is bizarre as hell.
Donald Trump puts his incompetence out on full display 24/7. He backs up John's claim every single day.
Please PROVE that.
I was wrong. The woman he sexually assaulted was an adult.
Sean,
You do realize that this misinformation was removed from Facebook. The charges were dropped.
realize that this misinformation
You should read it again. The only charges that were "dropped" were related to this:
In September 2015, police arrested Blake after he pulled a gun at a bar in Racine, Wis. He was charged with one felony count of resisting arrest and "one misdemeanor count each of carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, endangering safety-use of a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct," according to the Racine County Eye.
The charge for sexual assault was outstanding when he was shot. It's in your link.
Nah, what is bizarre as hell though is your supposition that Trump is the worst person in the world or the worst president ever or the worst (insert any TDS driven insulting comment here) anything for that matter.
You have let your partisan hatred get the better of you and that isn't really bizarre at all.
It's damn sad.
If you read Perrie's link, you should acknowledge that it states TWICE that the charge does NOT include sex with a minor. So your bullshit about him being a child molester is a LIE.
"worst person in the world" is of course a figure of speech. It doesnt necessarily mean he is THE worst person in the world. He could be tied with a whole bunch of other people.
So your bullshit about him being a child molester is a LIE.
I've corrected that twice already and before Perrie posted her link.
Pay attention.
POS had a history of being violent.
Then it's a red letter day. Too bad you didn't check that shit out before you posted it in the first place.
Or it could just mean they allege he pissed on someone.
Of course, there is no evidence that the cops knew that before they shot him in the back 7 times and even if they DID, it doesn't carry a death sentence.
Why the fuck would I need to prove to you something that you JUST said you read?
Oh ye of little research........showing you don't need facts just feeeelings.............
It began, as officer-involved shootings often do, with a call to the police. The dispatcher told the cops that a woman had called, and that Blake “ isn’t supposed to be there and he took the complainant’s keys and is refusing to give them back .” (An attorney for Blake’s family has said Blake was trying to break up a fight between two women.) The dispatcher also told officers that there was a “wanted” alert for someone at the address; indeed, Blake had a warrant for his arrest based on charges of third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse .
Oh ye of huge assumptions.
Your link doesn't prove that the cops knew that he was the person with the 'wanted' alert, DOES it Jim?
Oh and since when is having a warrant a death sentence?
So in America, ignoring a cop is a death sentence?
Don't get testy with me when your question wasn't cogent.
Now, why the fuck would I answer a question, asked so RUDELY, from YOU?
Oh and BTFW, where did I say he did?
Well if you read it again...........BTFW perhaps you can glean it from this................
And this.....................
Sometimes you have to choose wisely..............It's you or him....................
I don't need to read it again.
Deflection.
Pearl clutching again.
My language doesn't have a fucking thing to do with my mood.
One can be calm and testy at the same time...
I didn't say anything about what I thought he did, DID I Kathleen?
Jump to all the conclusions you want, I couldn't care less.
Words, of course mean what they mean. You should chose your words more carefully. Many of us can from time to time. Less emotion and partisan bias. More logic and reality.
You've been saying this for 4 years now and have yet to back up the claim. Instead you rely on what others have told you.
And that can be said for EVERY politician. Yet you hyper-focus on just one. Why is that?
Provide one instance where I've denied any of it?
And like JR. All you've provided something somebody told you. Nothing that would be considered actual proof on any level. Just sheer projection and conjecture.
That's terrible. Still is it a duty of police to assume every 'stop' will end in weapons drawn? By the way, this individual clearly fought his way back into his car. He was not allowed to reach into the car! Your video is undeniably 'the worst case scenario.'
Look at this video for example. What in your opinion of this arrest'? (It's okay. The alleged suspect is not beat, battered, assaulted, or murdered.):
Here you go Just Jim NC TttH (and everybody):
Do you think the Deputy handled that well? Running away from the suspect. Letting the suspect grab and choke an old man. That is a video of how not to police.
If it is true it took 100 officers to detain him- that is a complete waste of manpower and resources. I am sure all other crime, accidents, etc. stopped because the police were all too busy trying not to harm a homicidal nut job.
Well the obvious question is this: Where to grab this 18 year old in his birthday suit? Did you observe the early scene where this youth is chasing the police officer?
Did the officer feel threatened that an alleged murderer was chasing him? Did the officer ever go for his gun?
This is what the nation is talking about: Unequal policing! That is there is no one way to get arrested in this country! There is all these street (social) justice judgement calls!
Do I think the officer handled that well? No. I do not. I think the officer/s should have felt a moral imperative to tackle\ his naked ass and spare his community the sight of this youths swinging penis and swaying butt cheeks.
Yes I think you do and beyond the someone at the address, put on your thinking foil, and read what followed your cherry pick....................
Drugged up idiot with a wish for suicide by cop. Period.
Again, it does NOT give evidence that they knew that Blake was the SOMEONE. Now there may be other sources that confirm that but YOURS does NOT.
The objective of this 'exercise' for you, us, is to ask why is this individual is alive and not since recovered from this incident related shooting surgeries? Imagine the fear the officer should have had when this threat' (alleging murders by this 'suspect') call came through his radio. Yet, this is almost comical relief of an arrest. Later on in the scene, the police dog seems shocked to see human nakedness, so much so that it runs in the other direction. Yet, a black man is shot in the back 7 times after being allowed to open and enter his car door by officers.
Your 'take' on his circumstances (which are not mentioned in the story) are oddly commiserate, nevertheless.
Don't necessarily mean to make light of it, but the naked man is most certainly not carrying any weapons and the cop(s) know that much to be true.
Would I have tasered his nasty pale naked ass, hell yeah I would have?!?
It appears to not cross this officer's mind to do much more than pepper spray this young man (alleged murderer of 2) and hit him with his baton (for attacking a third individual on the scene). Yet, when it comes to black males, how often is the 'go to' drawn guns and weapons discharge? Cellphone videos expose distinct differences in policing of our citizenry. It is indisputable.
Didn't disagree with that sentiment at all. However, I had someone try and tell me that officers don't put their hand on their service pistol when white people are pulled over, but I will tell you that no matter what city I've been pulled over in, that officer has his / her hand on that unlatched pistol every time. A couple of them had it out and pointed at the ground, but I attribute that to the fact that when they ran my plate, they saw that I have a Concealed Pistol License, which means that I could be carrying. I don't take any offense to any of that; why? They're trying to protect their asses and little white girls from the suburbs can be crazy ass bitches too. Hormonal... bipolar... pissed off at her man... drugs...
And are conveniently edited and released to the press without the before and after. Just the major events the recorder(s) want to show the relevance of. Anyone with camera ready and recording is LOOKING for something to sell their side. I want body cam video so that one may see what an LEO sees.
You have no reason to impugn anybody. Other than the videos in some cases there is nothing to consider. Ponder the circumstantial evidence on its merits as you say you do with other items. And go forward from there.
What exactly do you think the cop should have done? Risk getting stabbed?
Risk a passenger getting stabbed?
Grabbing one of those kids and using them as a shield or hostage?
Perhaps they could use your expertise on the situation.
Tell us exactly what you would have done.
Not shoot the guy in the back?
I didn’t ask you what you wouldn’t do I asked you what you would have done.
What would you have done? Shoot him in the back?
Just answer the question. You seem to know what should have been done.
Practical Police Training: Driving, Firearms, Apprehension and Arrest
Most police academies are modeled on military training programs which instill a high regard for physical conditioning and performance. Active police officers must be prepared for anything, from pursuing fleeing suspects on foot and physically restraining unruly individuals, to pursuit driving and discharging their sidearm. The rigors of the intense police training programs are highly demanding and require candidates at peak physical, psychological and mental condition.
What I say doesnt matter. What the cop did matters. He shot a guy in the back. What was Blake doing at that moment that required he be shot in the back?
Do you believe holding a weapon should be a get out of jail card for wanted criminals? Once they show a weapon, cops have to let them go? What are the consequences of that policy going to be, do you think?
He was resisting arrest with a deadly weapon. Since I wasn't in the car, I can't say whether it was "required." But it's certainly possible it was justified.
More allegations. Prove them.
Non-sequitur.
You bring up a good point. Cops could shoot every suspect in the knee cap as soon as they arrive at the scene and thus eliminate a lot of the risk as the suspect would be on the ground writhing in pain. No risk for the cops though.
Unfortunately police work is inherently risky. A slight modicum of danger is part of the job. That is not a green light for them to proactively shoot people.
So, is that what you saw happen or are you simply using rhetoric for effect? What effect I have no idea.
Wouldn't be the first time I've done it.
Let them shut down. Life as we know it will go on without them.
No argument there.
unless you have a basketball jones
[jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="DlhWPVJNAOo"]
Funny stuff.
We love Cheech and Chong!
* And John if you know about "Basketball Jones" then you probably know about "Love Jones." Gotta love good old soulful JR of NT!
Don't like NBA in the first place. Won't be a loss for me.
I am not a sports person (fan) of any significant notice. But this is not about the so-called, "thousands of me" and you—is it? We are not 'asses in the seats!"
I'm pretty sure nobody's asses are in the seats.
You're mistaken. Viewership is asses in seats no matter the forum.
And that's down 30%.
If true. okay. So now what? Are there 70% "asses" still viewing the NBA? Care to numerically count them?
The point is that interest is down.
There is a long-running pandemic, so. . . .
Sports are institutions. Life will stop as we know it until arenas and stadiums can return to near overflowing. Whole industries hit, "Pause" tonight. It is the inherent nature of boycotts to accomplish this very action by messing with the flow of money to vendors and contractual suspensions.
I don't like any sports at all so they can all quit playing and take all those stupid sports channels off my Sling
Allright, everyone, enough with the NBA is 'unwatchable' stuff. Has zero to do with the topic of this seed.
I hope this ends the NBA forever
My Grandmother (RIP) loved basketball. Watched all of it.
I feel the way you do about football. An over rated game with people severely overpaid, just for a game.
Getting 50 mil to play and then taxpayers are on the hook for stadiums.
I hear your issue, for real. But players don't negotiate for stadiums. That is another set of professional jobs!
My point is, what they pay players would pay for the stadiums.
I can understand maybe places that are also used for other venues, but still.
My friend, consider that the players have condensed years to play and it is reasonable for agents and teams to 'maximize' contracts. Television ad revenue is astronomical - and worldwide merchandising. "Everybody eats." Everybody's full.
As to the stadium costs, I don't get into it. I feel sure cities have their reasons for wanting sports teams residential. Because I have yet to hear the griping from taxpayers over negotiated sites.
Not everyone is full when one makes 80 mil and I am having to pay at the very least 100 bucks for a ticket.
So We have to pay for the stadium, we have to pay to go to the stadium, usually even have to pay to park at said stadium...
And I should be happy that some dumbass knows how to throw a ball.....
We are paying for them to make money. More than they would ever deserve.
I don't know how much the owners, managers, networks, coaches, agents, and vendors make off their 'specialty' sports institutions, do you my friend? When fans go to the arenas and stadiums who puts those bodies in the seats?
A father should not have to float a loan just to take his kids to a game.
No matter how you cut it, us willing dupes are paying for these people to make billions.
No kidding.
Meanwhile I have to wonder who is stupid in all of this. It seems like it is the people willing to pay for it and make them all millionaires.
What do you want me to say? I get it. Standing questions remain:
These men and women are not disaffected machines: no matter how some want to claim 'ownership' over their persons.They are not 'work horses' without pride, dignity, or decency. All the players ask is for their country's authorities to respect them and their kindren. Now tell me this: When did that become too much to ask for?
So your argument is supply chain.
Get back to me when someone sitting in an office or someone running a concession stand makes 15 bucks an hour.
I am talking about priorities when watching or attending a game is not in my interest yet I am still paying for it.
When my husband had an MS flair up and was hospitalized, a friend of ours took me to a dodger game. Even though he had season tickets, the money we spent was outrageous.
The players are demoralized by what is happening in society. These unexplained attacks by police on black males are affecting people and whole industries on the periphery. For the record, sports is not my forte and I have no driving interest in stadiums or crowds for that matter.
I am commenting on the state of black society and policing affects on it currently.
Are there no unions for these institutional workers to participate in? As someone stated above. This is conflating issues together. The players and their agents do not have the authority, power, or influence(?) to negotiate on behalf of workers and stadium contracts and agreements.
These are just my opinions. I am no sports aficionado! I dip in and out of sports.
The players have wrestled with their role in social justice expression. Being under contracts, being athletes, and "figures" they have entrusted themselves to the larger society to fix social justice ills. But, still, at the end of the day, these players are black boys and black men. That which they can not change. They give life and breadth of being to other young black boys.
Poverty impedes power.
Black athletes have access to wealth. Therefore, they have varying degrees of power and influence on society. Our larger society's failures at succeeding has compelled athletes to enter the social justice crucible and experience the heat for themselves.
You mean a "white-lash"? Charger really? Where is your compassion for understanding these men and women have a need to stand up for themselves and be counted? Why must [fill i the blank] have all the power?!
Why?
Because the ungrateful, overpaid, mouthy players could not see they had it good
They are grateful, they are contractually paid, and yes they have it good as long as they can keep it, friend Charger. Good people do not become 'villains' simply because they support a worthwhile cause. How many police can it take to stop a man from getting back into his closed-off car? Why seven bullets? Six could not get the deed done?
You forgot uppity...
How hard is it for a man to stop when told to do so? The police tells him to stop, he stops, he doesn't get shot.
Uh-huh. (Two snaps up and I'm giving you the Look, Child.)
Which are paid and trained professionals in the question, arkpdx? The authorities licensed by the city or the unlicensed man?
You mean you have to be trained and licensed in order to stop when told to by authorities?
Local and state governance does not hire untrained and unlicensed police officers; it is against the law to do so. As for the civilian; he is by definition not a member of governance. The trained officers allowed the civilian to walk from the back passenger car door around the vehicle to the driver's car door and open it. Was that appropriate?
No they didn't. The civilian was tasered by two of police officers prior to opening the door and he still did not stop.
Which automatically raises the stakes if you are a cop. You taser someone and they don't stop ..... is not a good thing when trying to subdue someone.
Not good at all ....
What do you think would have happened if he would have stopped when he was first told?
Interesting. I do not understand why the taser 'shots' did not work. Are some civilians immune to a taser's abilities to incapacitate? Users' errors?
Anyway, what did officers do to immobilize civilians before tasers? (It did not always involve gunning them down.)
What did officers do to immobilize civilians before tasers? (It did not always involve gunning them down.)
Hypothetical?
He did not stop. Thus, what the police are trained to do next when an alleged suspect does not stop comes up for discussion. Why is it routinely the case to fire gun shots into black males (7x in this case)? Police have other immobilization methods in their training 'arsenal.'
Comment on the video @10.1.41 it has provoking insights. Look forward to your thoughts about it.
Tackled and pinned and some still use that method; I suppose it depends on a few circumstances. Most people I know [including myself] would assume that if a taser or two doesn't bring a person down, they're probably on something and that's something that changes the entire situation.
And for the record, I don't think that anyone should be shot in the back.
Perhaps too many police where being killed or seriously injured trying to tackle jacked up guys resisting arrest.
Where they getting in a car and could drive away?
How many pedestrian could he haved killed taking off in a car?
We should let a thorough investigation be done before jumping to conclusions, wouldn't you agree?
It is not that black America does not understand that things can go wrong during an arrest. . . .
It is the disproportionate use of officer violence that defies parameters. This black man could have been wrong, but 'unloading' bullets into his back while his head is inserted inside a driver's car door? A thinking cop, first having allowed him to get in the car 'space,' could have pinned him with the door. What happened is the "go-to" fire into his body 7 bullets and see what remains of him after the smoke clears.
Good policing? I don't think so.
Yep. Especially drug crazed ones.
are a couple
Of course I agree with investigation. Do it. In the meantime, stop killing people in indefensible ways. The list of dubious shootings and police violence is stacking up and red flagging.
If people on drugs are immune to tasers (any drugs?) then why are tasers a 'go to'? BTW, you appear to be arguing against the point. What evidence from the narrative do you present to us denoting Jacob Blakely was "drug crazed" in this incident?
It is clearly being exposed that most police officers need better training than they are demonstrating to the public, in my opinion.
Nightsticks, billyclubs, sidehandle batons, mace, pepper spray, maglites. various holds, police dogs are a few things
Cops shooting perps is nothing new. Have you been living under a rock or are you just that young?
I suspect Cops used to get shit canned more often when they had a shooting that wasn't righteous but unions helped take care of that. That and protecting their own.
That said it used to be much worse in the area i grew up in is any indication. Cops around here had a secluded spot they would take people who acted up to much and then tune them up as they desired. Not all the cops did that but the ones that did never got called on it. Police mistreatment is nothing new.
What are you suggesting? That they let the suspect get in the first shot? Should the bad guys be allowed to kill or wound an officer or bystander first before a officer shoots?
I guess that's why you are here so quickly after an event looking for the Leo to be prosecuted and punished even before angan investidation could possibly take place.
Well if you are referring to the Jacob Blake shooting he is not dead and it is the law to not resist arrest so indefensible is moot.
So true, had he not resisted, he likely wouldn't have gotten shot.
But the virtue signalers don't like it when you bring that up and/or they will work overtime to rationalize it away.
Black cop shoots and kills black person...crickets
Indeed.
I don't know if you watched the video here, but in it Doc Rivers says white fathers don't have to talk to their kids about how to behave with police. I've heard this fantasy before.
Like he'd know what white fathers are saying to their kids. Imagine the uproar if some white guy started talking about what black fathers do or don't do.
The fact is we do have those conservations. And the kids listen. That's why when they do get stopped by cops, they have fewer problems. They know to keep their hands in sight and follow instructions instead of running around cars, opening doors, and refusing to follow commands.
I don't like that these people get killed, and I think cops need to do a better job of de-escalating. But it really is within the power of most people to avoid getting needlessly killed by cops.
I have had cops point their guns at me more than once. I'm still here. Not because of my skin color, but because of how I responded - or didn't respond.
"Tune them up as they desired." "Cops around here. . ." "Unions helped take care of that."
Whatever are you babbling about? Sounds like a (white) privilege thing. Incidentally, your "wink-wink" reality and admissions speak volumes about the politicization of local police forces. Let me guess, there are some in your areas who had/have a say about who gets a "scheduled" tune up?!
It is clearly being exposed that most police officers need better training than they are demonstrating to the public, in my opinion.
You can claim anything you want. I am not the one shooting people in the back in the name of policing or arrest. So miss me with the non-sequitar. Police and civilians are the focus of discussion, arkpdx! Policing and citizens.
You understand more than you let on. So I won't waste time with this awful back and forth.
I have had cops point guns at me twice in my life and thankfully I was not shot, but personal life circumstances don't represent a majority. Nor do yours. Other people around the country are getting damaged and killed and its all caught on camera. The videos are being verified and though change is stubborn, the videos are considered valid.
At least, you moved the conversation forward a tad. Consequently, I engaged this one again.
Nor do anyone else's. But it gives both us authority and responsibility to point out that encounters like this with police are survivable as opposed to inevitably leading to death.
It would be less sensational and click-worthy to show the videos where people survive. I have been critical of police in my life, but I still have to acknowledge that surviving police encounters is the rule, rather than the exception, and in almost all those situations, the actions of the dead person are a factor in the result.
Unfortunately, too few people are willing to consider the nuanced position that a person's actions can lead to his own death even though he didn't "deserve to die."
Police firing a weapon into another human should be a literal last resort.
It goes without saying that all police are not bad. Not even the protestors are saying all police are bad professionals or individuals.
Look! Police do not need a 'cavalry' to ride in and defend them. They have the authority of the state and the 'blessings' of the citizenry to do the right things according to department policy and laws.
What is being begged the question of is this: Where is this going wrong. Either the citizenry is getting it wrong. That is, the citizenry is slow in realizing what policing powers entail (up to and touching indiscriminate killing), or a percentage of officers do not understand their authorities and are abusing themselves of the public.
Cameras are making us all aware of something certain citizens have been saying for many decades. There is police abuse!
What is disturbing is there are some conservatives who watch the brutality and remain apathetic to it. No human deserves 7 shots in their back; in itself that is almost an inhuman act to carry out. That is, if you asked a marksman to fire 7 rounds into the back of someone - I'd like to think that shooter would refuse to do so as a matter of conscience.
So when we talk about these 'matters,' much can be considered, but we must not leave what makes up all common to one another and that is a sense of caring about each other.
Police firing a weapon into another human should be a literal last resort.
Well said, friend Charger! Understood. Yes! People are not 'upset' (white people too) and thus they march because a black man or several black boys and men are beat by police. They are marching because police actions of last resort appear to come to the fore routinely now. People still have the ability, like the founders', to recognize inhuman treatment when it rears its ugliest of heads to be seen!
The NBA has problems. Network ratings are down 45% since 2011-12. The NFL and MLB are flat over that time period.
Even in the bubble, with little live programming to go against, the opening weekend of playoffs were down significantly from just last year.
Rampant politicization kills fan interest. Look what happened to the NFL ratings during the Kaepernick debacle.
This isn't going to help.
I would take the money and finish my contract. Then, let you go start your teams over from scratch. See who ends up on them (again).
I didn't even know the NBA was in playoffs. Apparently TV ratings are down 30% from last year , so I guess I'm not alone in that.
Nor did I. But you said that to say what?!! Exactly?!!
To say that I wasn't paying any attention to them as it was. Therefore, their strike would go unnoticed. I think that's true for a lot of things we might normally attention to. And based on the ratings, I'm not the only one. Given all of that, plus the fact that they're already playing a truncated schedule in front of no crowds, this might not be the big deal they were thinking it would be.
The players are not looking for "a big deal" - that is politics. Ballers technically are not politicians and do not like to carrry their 'water.' These ballers are hurt. They are demoralized. Why can you commiserate with Doc Rivers video statements @3 above. Why so cold and clinical about their pain and confusion over this?
I'm here to analyze the story, not blindly agree with everything.
Why so starkly select and implicitly biased in your story analysis? Can you empathize or agree with Doc Rivers' video explanation? Yes or no.
I can't answer that because I have no idea what your question means.
Life is not yes or no. Life is complicated. Life is nuanced. Doc is right about a lot of things. He's wrong about some others. None of that has anything to do with any of my previous comments, though, so I sense you are trying to change the subject.
Yeah. That happened. It must be play time. Toodles. I am glad our ballers are taking this seriously.
That's how you see this? Taking it seriously? With the kind of money, connections, and exposure these guys control, you think taking a few days off is their way of taking it seriously?
Joe Public out in the street - risking arrest for demonstrating - is taking it more seriously than these millionaires are.
Professional ballers don't have time to be out on the streets. There influence is their voice. Their 'boycott' is their voice. It is not needful for them to attend demonstrations and protests (unless they wish to) in order to be sincerely interested. What they have done up to now has already set tongues 'wagging' and the discussion is in high-gear pervasive in the country! Sports fans and critics are compelled to form an opinion (and ask questions) about all these police interactions with their black male citizenry.
Why don’t they quit wasting their their time playing ball and be the super cops they want to see patrolling high crime area?
Inspire change through actual action, instead of taking paid vacation days ?
LOL! It seems they do, now!
Yeah, I'm not hearing them. Policy makers aren't hearing them. Chiefs of police aren't hearing them. They've had voice, influence, money, and access for decades. And the world still is as it is. Should I be impressed?
You think cops and policy makers care if the NBA takes three days off?
Yes, I'm sure it is. On ESPN. Speaking of things nobody is watching . . .
Well that is just indulgent of you, isn't it? These men have dedicated themselves to playing sports of all types and kinds since childhood! Interest in policing is rather new and temporary for them, I'd imagine. Better to let the good police fix this specific police crisis.
God, listen to you apologize for these prima donnas! They don't have to be marching! They have to be playing basketball! You know: Important stuff.
This are the playoffs. And I reject your abusive language completely. You don't get to call any of them prima donnas because they have wealth, power, and influence more than you. Those ballers got their work the hard way: they earned it following the steps to doing so.
You want something to pour out your ire about; find somebody, some organization, that has cheated, lied, and hurt people to get to the top! We're done here. Unless, you have something substantive to add.
Written 'bile' is rejected!
See @14.1.13. You are arguing against the point. And no one cares about that. (The nation hit "pause" and various forms of "hell" have broken out. What I find opportunist, is you taking this moment to try to exploit 2020 business and social tragedies for political expediency. That sucks!)
Oh for God's sake! Really? You're going to preach their virtue based on their work ethic? They were born freakishly tall. All the hard work in the world doesn't matter if you're not 6 and a half feet tall. And don't come at me with outliers like Spud Webb. You know I'm right.
I get to call them whatever I like. They are prima donnas.
Example 1: LeBron James - who didn't need any more attention - had a special on ESPN called "The Decision" to show him signing with the Miami Heat. An entire 75-minute television special dedicated to a guy getting a new contract.
Example 2: Paul Pierce - in the NBA Finals (so he knew he had a big audience) - faked an injury and had himself taken from the court in a wheelchair, only to run back on to the court later in the game. What really happened? He had to go to the bathroom.
And you say they aren't prima donnas. Get serious.
Don't believe me? Take it from one of their own: Gilbert Arenas.
Gilbert Arenas Thinks Players Are Acting Like 'Prima Donnas' in NBA Bubble
Wrong-o! I have no ire. Just an opinion that doesn't jibe with your hero-worship of professional athletes who share your politics.
Oh please. You have had multiple opportunities to respond to the substance of my comments, but instead you keep going after me personally and taking invented offense. My comments have pointed out that what the players are doing is meaningless, ineffective, and consists of zero sacrifice or effort on their part. You want to curl up in an angry ball because I disparaged your heroes? Too bad. The truth hurts, I guess.
Or you can try considering the criticism. But I doubt you will.
That's the MO ..... when cornered, take it personal ..... or just take it personal no matter what ....
Empty words that mean nothing. Unless you'd care to explain yourself.
There is no opportunism. We weren't even discussing opportunism. I'm here to express my opinion. There is no opportunism. I get nothing else out of it. Could you shuffle the goalposts any faster? Try responding to the content of comments instead of making up random accusations.
This is like a word salad. It's all gibberish! Do you even know what you're trying to say? Because the words don't make any sense. We haven't said anything about a business or social tragedy and I'm not in a position to concern myself with political expediency, whatever the hell that refers, too.
No further comment on your tired outrage.
You're one to mention "MO." When cornered on your POV, you whine. I digress. We're done for now. Letting you go.
Uh what? I'm not the one who's outraged. I'm not remotely outraged. I keep inviting you to engage in content and instead you come back with this nonsense.
Blah, blah, blah ......
They will kill the goose that lays golden eggs
The NBA 'goose' will live on, my friend Charger! Even NASCAR's 'goose' will survive. These "geese" will survive and thrive accordingly.
Sports athletes are demoralized and downtrodden across the spectrum due to repeat and invalid police activities against black males. Moreover, it is more than black males attendant and in need of relief from cellphone videos capture of superfluous policing, officer excessive brutality, and dubious street fight/death dramas—and, the aftermaths of some activists unfortunate reactionary violence.
When the owners stop making money; they will be gone, period. Or do you think networks will continue to give them ever increasing amounts of cash for a product that is going down in viewership. The tv money will be gone with the ratings.
Then they should put their money where their mouths and (supposed) morals are and all retire en masse. That will show the rest of us! Whatever will we do when they are gone. Of course most of them have the financial brains of an amoeba; so they haven't planned for quick retirement at all.
“Then they should put their money where their mouths and (supposed) morals are and all retire en masse.”
and society will continue on just fine because athletes are 100% non-essential to a functioning society.
You're wrong. That white-lash would fail and it would be an experience of 'cutting off the nose to spite the face! At the end of the day, we have to solve our social strife not exacerbate them. Besides, the 'bandage' you place on the problem has one major flaw: The 'sore' beneath it is unhealable unless and until we collectively fix it together.
Conservatives said that about Hollywood too; oh look Hollywood is still around and actors are activists galore for a myriad of causes. Oh, and guess what? Conservatives joined the industry!
Ok, you want to bring ideology into this? that’s fine because it doesn’t matter wether an entertainer/athlete is liberal or conservative, society will move along just fine without them because they are completely non-essential to a functioning society.
So what? We don't need partisan politicians of any kind either. Throw their hack butts on the 'you are out of here' bus and drive off! They are non-essential professionals. Just dismantle society and culture and redefine it down to bare essentials. Guess what? None of humanity actually matters to the workings of this planet. Without us and our 'wares' this planet can breathe!
and just like that, the greatest civil rights statement in history is over.
what a surprise.
Please elaborate further.
If these athletes are serious about this how about they turn over the massive bonuses they received to the cause or the business owners who lost everything due the protests.
The businesses could have, over the years put pressure on the city for a better police force. How would giving them money (other than the insurance they will collect for a business failing under Covid) put pressure on the police to change?
There is another approach. Businesses could get ahead of the problem and advocate for change.
Here is what one owner a couple of days ago who did experienced damage during earlier protests.
To quote the owner:
This is what he did with his boarded up windows
Businesses could get ahead of the problem and advocate for change.
Blame the businesses! Can't make it up.
Were they wearing tight skirts? How dare they have all this shiny property that they have to know will attract criminals.
other than the insurance they will collect for a business failing under Covi
what are you talking about?
Kind of a modern version of Lysistrata .
Find out what your opposition desires the most - then deny them their satisfaction.
But take heart. You can always watch Australian Football. OK the ball looks a little funny and the refs look strange in their white coats and hats but football is football - right?