Fans, Players, and Coaches; Be Responsible and Do What Is Right!

Some of the most vile and profane language ever uttered is heard in NBA arenas. The arena vernacular is indicative of the world we live in. We live in a very troubled world. People have troubled thoughts and they have no problem expressing them.

Unfortunately, mankind is unkind! When we are hurt, we hurl verbal assaults and insults with venomous zeal. No, we don't usually mean what we say. However, when it is said; it is said! As much as you would like to reach out with your fingers and pull those words back into your mouth you cannot do it. You have uttered the unbelievable. Yes, you said it and you are sorry you said it. "I am sorry!" That is all you can say.

All persons are deserving of dignity. Whether you are gay or straight you are worthy of dignity, respect, and honor. No one should ever be called out of his name. However, why is it that only so-called homophobic slurs warrant a hefty fine from the National Basketball Association hierarchy? Is GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) dictating league policy?

I wonder what would have happened if Kobe or Joakim had used another disparaging or demeaning term or name. What if they called the ref or fan a M*****F*****, SOB, B****A**MF, Pr***, Di**, etc. What if he had just called him a "sissy"? What would be the fine? You get my point.

Fans and players hurl these names with great regularity. Are all players fined for such conduct? Are fans removed from the arena for using such profanity?

I posed that question to Tim Frank, the NBA's Senior Vice President of Basketball Communications. This is what he had to say:

"I don't typically answer hypothetical questions and I won't here ... each
situation is judged on the factors involved in that particular case"

That was his reply. Now I have a term I'd like to use. That's a "wienie" reply. If the league is taking such a determined stance against homophobia; why stop there? Let's stamp out xenophobia, arachnophobia, cacophobia, brontophobia, chionophobia, and all the ill "phobias" known to humankind.

No! Kobe and Joakim should never have expressed themselves in such fashion. It was wrong.

This is a wake-up call to all of us. How's my vocabulary? Do I say unkind things to people? Am I prone to "cussing someone out"? Makes one think, doesn't it?

Surely, if Kobe and Joakim were fined for such inappropriate behavior; something should have been done to Kenyon Martin for his little tirade.

NBA basketball is very entertaining. Unfortunately, its players and fans are far from perfect. I'm not trying to excuse their actions, because there is responsibility that comes with privilege. It's a privilege to be a fan or player.

However, all of us should be responsible citizens and leave the "guttertalk" at home...or, better yet, in the gutter.

"Now You Vote Me In? I Don't Believe It!"

By

Taveus Hawkins

(Member) on July 27, 2010

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Should Jack Tatum be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Yes

100.0%

No

0.0%

Total votes: 2

Jack Tatum came to The Ohio State University as a pure; but raw talent. He was an athlete with tremendous ability and upside. Coach Woody Hayes recruited him as a running back but he proved to be much too valuable for that. Lou Holtz, serving as a defensive coach recognized Jack Tatum was naturally "nasty". He played with a vigor and ferocity that was unmatched. No one could contain his exuberance for bone-shattering mayhem. He was an opposing player's nightmare. There was not a tight-end, running back, or wide receiver he could not bring down. This is what he became on the football field. This is what he was taught and instructed to become. We cheer and applaud with glee and admiration as our beloved warriors nearly decapitate the opposing player. It is what we come to see. Are we any better than the fans in the Roman Coliseo? I think not. We're just as brutal and barbaric as they.

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and I remember Jack Tatum and another player from the Buckeyes (I don't even remember who the other player was) coming to my Everett Jr. High School after their National Championship of 1968. All eyes were on Jack. Every question from every student in the school went to Jack. He was our hero! Jack could "bring the pain"! We wanted to be just like Jack. "Jack, remember when you ran down Ron Johnson from Michigan and body-slammed to the turf!" said one kid. Another kid said: "Remember when you shut Leroy Keyes down at Purdue......." "Hey, is O.J. really that good?" a cute little girl with pigtails asked. We were drawn to Jack Tatum like a magnet. That was one of the best days of the whole school year. I will never forget that very special day.

Jack certainly had a tremendous college career at Ohio State. He was a consensus All-American and in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. He went on to a stellar pro career with the Raiders. He became the face of the Raiders. When you think of the Raiders you immediately think of Jack Tatum. He struck fear in the hearts of opponents. What receiver would dare go across the middle against Jack Tatum? it didn't happen often. He knocked the helmet off of Sammy White in a game against the Minnesota Vikings. I thought he was dead. I saw him knock two tight ends out of a single game (one of which was John Mackey) and the third stringer refused to go in. Some said he told the coach to go in if he wanted it that bad! Jack Tatum was no joke. He played the game the way we want to see it. I'm not saying it is right or wrong; but it is the way American audiences want to see the game played. That's what we pack stadiums to see.

We cannot talk about Jack without talking about the "immaculate reception". Many say if he wasn't trying to kill Frenchy Fuqua it would have never happened. That stupid ricochet into Franco Harris's hands haunts Raider fans to this very day. Then there's "the hit"; a most unfortunate occurrence between Tatum and Darryl Stingley. It was clearly not a dirty play. It was the way Tatum played the game. He gave his all on each and every play. It's the only way he knew to play. There was no "letup" in Jack Tatum.

I feel sad that Jack Tatum is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. He should have been enshrined years ago. I think a lot of that had to do with consideration for the Stingley family. One can understand that to a point but let's be for real. Football is a brutal, violent sport. Tragedy can occur at any point in a game. Football players are modern day gladiators and we are the fanatics that give a thumbs up or down.

I am sure that at some point and time the Hall of Fame will posthumously enshrine Jack Tatum into Canton. I don't know how much that will mean to the Tatum family and friends but it will certainly mean something to his many fans. Jack played the game the way we "barbarians" like it. He played it rough and with reckless abandon. He gave blood and flesh on each and every play. I can only imagine Jack saying: "Now you vote me in? I Don't Believe It!" But Jack wouldn't say it nearly that nicely.

A Fan's Call to Action: Play the Game!

Maybe it's just me; but are you tired of the same old thing? Summer is here and the power shuffle is on with the best teams getting better and the bad teams getting worse. You now have the "justice league" right out of the comic books in Miami with Bosh, Wade, and James. The Lakers have added ammo to their arsenal with Matt Barnes and Steve Blake. Boston has lured Jermaine O'neal into their leprechaunic fold (7 foot leprechauns; whatever?) after the retirement of Rasheed Wallace. Once again the strong get stronger.

If you will; please listen to my plea. Please hear my call to action. Let all three-hundred plus players, coaches, and owners take action and be the best that they can be. Now is the time for an upstart team of misfits to come together and knock off the power teams. That's right! I want to see David slay Goliath.

Remember when the Portland Trailblazers of 1977 with Walton, Hollins, Twardzick, Gross, Davis, etc. knocked off the powerful Sixers with McGinnis, Erving, Collins, etc.? How about that wonderful '75 Warriors team coached by Al Attles with Rick Barry and his "merry men"? Do you remember Bay Area resident hero Phil Smith going into the lane with a thunderous dunk that sent a clear message? "We're coming at you and we're not backing down!" They put a real "woopin" on Elvin Hayes and his Bullets. They pulled out the brooms and swept them 4-0. No one gave the Supersonics with Gus, Freddie, Jack, Dennis and JJ a chance against the vaunted Bullets in 1979 but they "wooped that tail". A freckle-faced MVP; who would have "thunk" it?

There is extreme talent throughout the league. Players have to remember that the Lakers, Celtics, and Heat put their over-sized shorts on just like they do. There are no guaranteed championships. Dedication, commitment, and hard work get you where you want to be. So come on New Jersey, Atlanta, Cleveland, OK City, Portland, Dallas etc. You can do this! "Just do it!"

It would be so refreshing to see an obscure team out of the picture come into view and win the whole thing. That's when we'll see real coaching, real teamwork, real comradery! That's when we will realize that championship rings aren't individual accomplishments. They are team accomplishments. When you come together as one cohesive unit you win rings. Developing a synergistic approach to reach the pinnacle is the way to get there. Lesser talented teams can still win and win big if they have a muscle as big as their fist beating inside their chest cavity.

Will the NBA lose money if the Lakers, Boston, or Miami are not playing in the Finals? Who cares? Let me see something different. Oh....I almost forgot. Let's also make sure that NBA officials will make the right calls and not favor the superstars. J R Smith and Gerald Wallace need to go to the charity stripe just like Kobe and LeBron. Call fouls on Tim Duncan just like you call them on Greg Oden (maybe that's a bad comparison but you get my drift).

There are so many teams in striking distance. They can do this. They must take heart and believe. They have to believe that they can do it! Hear the call to action and play the game! What band of 12 men will provide the next surprise season? It can happen. After all, this is "where amazing happens".

Jesse Jackson Needs to shut up!

Jesse Jackson definitely needs to shut up. He certainly doesn't understand the total dynamics surrounding LeBron James and his move to Miami. I don't either but I must go on what LeBron has told us. He is seeking the holy grail, NBA Championship rings. He wants them immediately and in the future. All I can say is that he is now old enough for his "wants" not to hurt him.

Dan Gilbert is no more a racist than Jesse Jackson or myself. I am a 56 year old African-American born and raised in Ohio. The O-H-10 (O-H-Ten), home of the Real men. LeBron let us down. He disappointed us. I can certainly understand Dan Gilbert's ire. It wasn't what LeBron did, it was how he did it. He didn't for one minute consider the feelings of his loyal fans. Many of these fans have been pulling for him since his middle school days. He was totally insensitive to how we felt. It was all about him and his agenda to win championship rings (at least that is what he tells us).

I believe Jesse Jackson makes his home in Chicago so he doesn't quite understand the pain of Ohio sports fans. He definitely needs to shut up. He didn't care when Warfield was traded to Miami; when Elway made his drive; when Byner had the fumble; or when Jordan hit the shot; when Mr. Modell moved our beloved Purple Browns to Cleveland and then smacked us in the face with a SuperBowl Title. Mr. Jesse doesn't know anything about that or doesn't care. We Cleveland fans are loyalists. We're true and we don't tolerate anything else. Either you are with us or you're against us. We stand together and I support Mr.Gilbert in his disdain for what LeBron did.

However, I must admit that we created the monster. We've catered to him and told him how great he was. We deified a man and made him a little god. Now we see the results of trivial worship of a man. These sports icons are thinking too much of themselves and very little about you and I. Michael Jordan demonstrated that at his Hall of Fame induction. Who did he think he was? That man has achieved all that he wanted to achieve and still has bitterness in his heart and feels he was mistreated and maligned along the way. Get over it Michael. Talk to the guy that lost his legs and was never able to play ball. You're maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. Do we still owe you something?

Also Jesse, may I tell you this? High-priced superstar athletes are indeed slaves. If you are in a position of servitude you are a servant or slave. When Gatorade, Coke, and Haines calls they'd better be there. Your work/life schedule is based on the needs of the business. We are all in bondage. All of us have to answer to someone. Whether it's our employees, employers, or clients. We all answer!

LeBron is a young man that has made a mistake. For some reason NBA stars don't feel their careers are complete without winning rings. There are 30 teams and 360 players in the league. Only 12-13 rings go to players each year. Not everyone is going to get one. But that is not what validates your career. Example: Adam Morrison, Tom LaGarde, Derrick Dickey, Jackie Robinson, Lonnie Shelton, Earl Cureton, Mike Riordan, Clint Richardson, and Chirs Jent have NBA Championship rings. Not trying to offend them; but they are not great players. Who even knows who they are? They were great contributors to their respective teams. They have rings but that doesn't make them iconic figures in the NBA. You attain greatness when you give 110 percent and leave it all on the floor. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Nate Thurmond, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, George Gervin, etc. don't have rings but they will always be remembered and respected by players, coaches, owners, and fans.

LeBron may or may not win championships. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. "Look at that. All that talent on one team. They should have won." Or "Look at that. All that talent on one team and they still couldn't do it." I don't wish bad on LeBron but any championship he wins will pale in comparison to a championship in his home of Ohio. His best opportunity for success and iconic greatness lie along the banks of the Cuyahoga. He gave that up when he went to Miami. He lost in this deal. He lost the admiration, adoration, and respect of a tremendous fan base. His name, his brand is tarnished. I don't know if he can ever redeem it.

I personally hope he never wins an NBA title at least until he does right by the fans of Cleveland. Some say he doesn't owe Cleveland anything but I don't believe he thinks that. Otherwise, he would not have left in the manner he left. You could see the uneasiness in the exit interview with Jim Gray. He's not happy about that decision. At least I don't think so. In the mean time; Jesse Jackson, please shut up! You don't have a clue.

Jesse Jackson definitely needs to shut up. He certainly doesn't understand the total dynamics surrounding LeBron James and his move to Miami. I don't either but I must go on what LeBron has told us. He is seeking the holy grail, NBA Championship rings. He wants them immediately and in the future. All I can say is that he is now old enough for his "wants" not to hurt him. Dan Gilbert is no more a racist than Jesse Jackson or myself. I am a 56 year old African-American born and raised in Ohio. The O-H-10 (O-H-Ten), home of the Real men. LeBron let us down. He disappointed us. I can certainly understand Dan Gilbert's ire. It wasn't what LeBron did, it was how he did it. He didn't for one minute consider the feelings of his loyal fans. Many of these fans have been pulling for him since his middle school days. He was totally insensitive to how we felt. It was all about him and his agenda to win championship rings (at least that is what he tells us). I believe Jesse Jackson makes his home in Chicago so he doesn't quite understand the pain of Ohio sports fans. He definitely needs to shut up. He didn't care when Warfield was traded to Miami; when Elway made his drive; when Byner had the fumble; or when Jordan hit the shot; when Mr. Modell moved our beloved Purple Browns to Cleveland and then smacked us in the face with a SuperBowl Title. Mr. Jesse doesn't know anything about that or doesn't care. We Cleveland fans are loyalists. We're true and we don't tolerate anything else. Either you are with us or you're against us. We stand together and I support Mr.Gilbert in his disdain for what LeBron did. However, I must admit that we created the monster. We've catered to him and told him how great he was. We deified a man and made him a little god. Now we see the results of trivial worship of a man. These sports icons are thinking too much of themselves and very little about you and I. Michael Jordan demonstrated that at his Hall of Fame induction. Who did he think he was? That man has achieved all that he wanted to achieve and still has bitterness in his heart and feels he was mistreated and maligned along the way. Get over it Michael. Talk to the guy that lost his legs and was never able to play ball. You're maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. Do we still owe you something? Also Jesse, may I tell you this? High-priced superstar athletes are indeed slaves. If you are in a position of servitude you are a servant or slave. When Gatorade, Coke, and Haines calls they'd better be there. Your work/life schedule is based on the needs of the business. We are all in bondage. All of us have to answer to someone. Whether it's our employees, employers, or clients. We all answer! LeBron is a young man that has made a mistake. For some reason NBA stars don't feel their careers are complete without winning rings. There are 30 teams and 360 players in the league. Only 12-13 rings go to players each year. Not everyone is going to get one. But that is not what validates your career. Example: Adam Morrison, Tom LaGarde, Derrick Dickey, Jackie Robinson, Lonnie Shelton, Earl Cureton, Mike Riordan, Clint Richardson, and Chirs Jent have NBA Championship rings. Not trying to offend them; but they are not great players. Who even knows who they are? They were great contributors to their respective teams. They have rings but that doesn't make them iconic figures in the NBA. You attain greatness when you give 110 percent and leave it all on the floor. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Nate Thurmond, Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, George Gervin, etc. don't have rings but they will always be remembered and respected by players, coaches, owners, and fans. LeBron may or may not win championships. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. "Look at that. All that talent on one team. They should have won." Or "Look at that. All that talent on one team and they still couldn't do it." I don't wish bad on LeBron but any championship he wins will pale in comparison to a championship in his home of Ohio. His best opportunity for success and iconic greatness lie along the banks of the Cuyahoga. He gave that up when he went to Miami. He lost in this deal. He lost the admiration, adoration, and respect of a tremendous fan base. His name, his brand is tarnished. I don't know if he can ever redeem it. I personally hope he never wins an NBA title at least until he does right by the fans of Cleveland. Some say he doesn't owe Cleveland anything but I don't believe he thinks that. Otherwise, he would not have left in the manner he left. You could see the uneasiness in the exit interview with Jim Gray. He's not happy about that decision. At least I don't think so. In the mean time; Jesse Jackson, please shut up! You don't have a clue.

• Reply

Precious?

Much hoopla has surrounded the movie, "Precious". I'm sure it has its merits but I am curious as to why such a movie script is so appealing to moviegoers and Hollywood. I probably answered my own question. If moviegoers have an interest Hollywood will make it. Tell me if I'm wrong but it seems that Oprah Winfrey and others go out of their way to place African-American men and fathers in a bad light. The book "Push" written by Sapphire that becomes "Precious" on the big screen focuses on a young illiterate, obese black woman that overcomes against all odds. She is the victim of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse at the hands of her parents. Her incest-driven father is responsible for her two pregnancies. Why do such movies always get such attention? Is this what moviegoers want to see? Better yet; is this what Black moviegoers want to see? I understand it has already garnered several awards. I think we all know that such atrocities take place in all cultures. However, it seems that the Oprah Winfreys and Tyler Perrys of the world like to focus on the uglies of family life. I feel this places Black men in an extremely bad light. "Precious" appears to be an updated version of "The Color Purple". We realize how much Oprah loves "The Color Purple". She has even taken it to the Broadway stage. I think Alice Walker and Oprah have the same disdain for Black men.

The Sapphires, Oprah Winfreys, Alice Walkers, and now Tyler Perry attempt to exorcise the demons of their environmental upbringings. What better way to do this than in film and literature? I think I'll pass on seeing such a depressing film. Not that I want to close my eyes and say that incestuous pedophilic monsters do not exist. But I don't want to spend my money to see films made about them. It's ugly and it happens. Just once I'd like to see a film that lifts up Black men and places them in a bright, positive light for once. Can I see such a film? Is such a film being made? Time will tell.