HoopsAddict: A perspective on the 2008 NBA All-Star ‘controversy’.
“People might think that with the storm clouds that hang over the NBA, Stern would be the person sucking up to the ?New Orleans is back? rhetoric, pushing the city to ready itself for the 2007-08 All-Star game. One would be completely innocent in thinking that Billy Hunter, ?the players? guy? would attempt to diffuse the ?NBA players and the crowd that follows them are thugs? rhetoric.
One would think.
But in this case it is Hunter whose logic appears cloudy and Whitlockian, allowing the likes of Berger to publicly spew his vitriol. It is Hunter who is selling out the players, the All-Star weekend, the league, and the commissioner down the murky, toxic waters of Lake Pontchartrain. Conversely, it is Stern who is clear in his perception of the true state of New Orleans and clear in the role the NBA will play there beyond housing the New Orleans Hornets.”
Detroit Bad Boys: A Detroit take on rumors that Pistons coach Flip Saunders will leave the team for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
“Here?s what I think is going down: I think Saunders is seriously considering leaving, and I think he has absolutely no problem lying through his teeth to the media. In his profession, that?s not so much a character flaw as a job requirement ? just ask Nick Saban. That said, I don?t think Saunders wants to lie to anyone he actually respects or signs his checks, such as Dumars or Davidson; hence, the complete avoidance of the subject. As for Detroit?s fans, heck, they never really liked him anyways, and his departure will be quickly forgotten if Dumars makes the ultimate PR move by bringing in Bill Laimbeer to be the new head coach (which, despite the risk, I would completely endorse).”
YaySports: Is Scoop Jackson a hypocrite?
“‘The NBA All-Star Game has carried the surname ?the Black Folks? Super Bowl? for over a decade. It?s the event where you get to see how beautiful of a people we really are and at the same time how messed up our priorities can be.
Every flight coming into town looked like Soul Plane. Every airport, as my man Mr. Bottoms texted me, ?looked like the Million Man March.?
The over/under is one player arrested, one might get shot, at least three wives will file for divorce on Monday, and (we failed to put a number on this, so fill in the blank) _____ number of kids whose mommies didn?t know their NBA daddies before Feb. 15 born 40 weeks from now. Enough to make Shawn Kemp proud.’
You draw your own conclusions on who the racist is. By the way, Scoop – if you wanted to rebut this, you know the best way to reach us – through Deadspin, yes?”
