Racism in the NBA? You Don’t Say…
Posted By Phil Reggio On 20th December 2006 @ 00:07 In Phil Reggio, Philadelphia 76ers, Main Page | 10 Comments
Just a few days ago, the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets decided to engage in a bench-clearing brawl that saw Carmelo Anthony sucker punch an opposing player. Melo’s 15 game suspension (worth around $600,000) is now being scrutinized by Steve Francis, the often-injured, over-paid, falling star of the New York Knicks.
“In other sports, there are incidents that are way worse than basketball,” said Francis who referenced the abundance of media coverage from Saturday night’s fracas. “So many worse things happen every game or four or five times a year, but because there are more black players in the NBA, it’s under the microscope more than baseball or hockey.”
Might color play a role in the suspension of NBA players? Is Steve Francis suggesting that racism exists in the Association?
As a fan of the game, and someone who grew up during the golden age of the NBA (the 80’s), I can’t help but think that Mr. Francis’ comments are not only inappropriate, but so off base that I now believe any trial or tribulation can be blamed on race, gender or religion by anyone at anytime.
Todd Bertuzzi (NHL) is an alcoholic, he is Canadian. Maybe we (the media and society) can blame his actions a few years back on too many Heinekens. Seriously… Who in their right mind would swing a stick purposely into the face of an opponent, injuring the opposing player with such severity that the local police pressed charges?
The media coverage surrounding the Bertuzzi incident went on for months and is still talked about today, and not once did I hear race become an excuse to justify Todd’s misguided actions. Bertuzzi took responsibility for his actions and moved on. I guess this is the difference between the NHL and NBA. However, is it all about race?
Okay, NHL players come from Canadian farms and shadows of Europe, while most NBA players grow up in urban areas many people wouldn’t want to drive through.
Yet still, to this day, I cannot understand why race continues to be a crutch or excuse to justify all that is wrong in our world, whether it be politics or sports.
I can say with some certainty that most people are color-blind. When I watch NBA games, the color of a player is never a factor. Nor is it a factor when I watch football, baseball, or hockey.
Yes, there are racist people in the world, others who discriminate based on culture, religion, race and gender. However, the professional world of sports has no right to ever bring these issues into their arenas.
Who cares if Michelle Wei plays on the men’s tour. Is it such a big deal that Sandy Koufax took Sunday’s off due to his religious beliefs?
This is why I cringe when I hear race used as an excuse to criticize the consequences of negative choices. Carmelo Anthony did not receive a 15 game suspension because he is black. The suspension was fairly awarded based on Carmelo’s inapt actions on the basketball floor. Enough said.
Miss USA is a dumb blond, Ron Artest is just dumb, and O.J.Simpson is guilty. None of the above has anything to do with race. People make choices, and often, those choices have consequences that tarnish fame, reduce wealth, and bring about the type of attention most of us wouldn’t want (T.O. would be the exception).
In conclusion Mr. Francis, no one looks at the NBA as an “All African-American” league. If you feel the commissioner’s office and media treat the player’s unfairly and base disciplinary decisions on race, I say you’re wrong. Wrong for not thinking first before you speak. Wrong for relying on the often over-played race card. Wrong for not being a better role model to the children who look up to you with awe in their eyes.
Carmelo made a mistake, and he now his must pay. If Steve Nash did the same thing, he would be on a mandatory vacation as well. No black or white, Christianity or Islam. Just consequences…
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