Loading ...YOU CAN TAKE THEM OUT OF THE HOOD, BUT…
I have never been a big Indiana Pacers fan and I would assume not a lot people in this town are now either. My interest has always been passive at best, but now with the latest news that a murder suspect was arrested after leaving the home of Shawne Williams, it is the last nail in the coffin. This follows news earlier this week that a sexual assault occurred at the home of Marquis Daniels.
To be fair, neither player is accused of committing a crime, but they are guilty of bad judgment. I would suspect that both Williams and Daniels have made the mistake that is not uncommon amongst some black athletes. They have a talent that gets them out of the hood, but they make the mistake of taking the hood with them. Someone who was getting in trouble at 30th and Post Road will probably still be getting in trouble when you move to Hendricks County, so perhaps it’s best to leave them where they are.
For some reason there is this belief that if you are black and become successful you have some duty or obligation to bring every Tyrone and Teniesha along with you. That is most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. People who tend to get in trouble when they are poor also tend to get in trouble when they come into contact with wealth, only the trouble is more expensive. And individuals like Williams and Daniels would probably do well to leave the hood where it belongs.
It’s days like this I thank God the only hood I know is on the back of my Land’s End jacket.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Incredible
I just sent my email to them.
pacersinsider@pacers.com
I wold rather watch Butler kids play then the NBA.
The NBA has went the way of professional boxing during Mike Tyson.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I suspect that this is oneof the MAIN reasons that the Pacers have the LOWEST attendance record in the NBA this season. No class, no respect.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Amen Abdul…. Over in St. Louis a player was let go yesterday. This player had an auto accident on the evening of Dec. 30. He had been in and out of rehab and the Cardinals had stood next to him through it all. Last year they lost a wonderfully young player to DWI. One of their coaches also experienced a DWI. This incident the player willfully decieved the club to think there wasn’t much to the incident when boom a bench warrant was issued charging him with a multitude of offenses. Hence his termination. The Pacers need to read the Cardinals playbook on how to handle these kinds of incidents. It’s amazing to me the amount of time we spend and the money we spend on professional sports anyway. We can’t afford the basic requirements of the city but we can afford a playground for millionaire athletes. When the average family of 4 can’t enjoy a night watching these sports venues we still justify the creation of menial service sector jobs as economic development. And one wonders why America is rapidly becoming a second rate nation. Mind boggling!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
While their off-court activities are certainly hurting them, the primary reason that the Pacers attendance is so low is that they are an awful team. They are 14 games under .500. They are not fun to watch.
Those who argue for dismissal of those who have engaged in illegal activities are usually speaking of Tinsley, since he has a trial coming. The two recent events would be difficult to make that argument. There are differences between baseball and basketball. If the Pacers were to cut Tinsley, they would still be responsible for his significant salary through (I believe) 2011. It would also count against their salary cap, which would keep us playing like we are today for several years to come.
I guess my point is that it is more complicated than it looks.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
As Sheriff Anderson Said; “They be’s what they see’s!” Probably the only smart thing the man ever muttered.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
When a person decides to take the job of being in the public eye, their “personal” life is absolutely in the relm of scrutiny. The way a person lives their life and the people they associate with have a bearing on the integrity of that person and the people that they work with. Who these players allow in their circle is definitely reflective upon the club they play for. Anyone who says that their personal life doesn’t have anything to do with their job is just plain wrong. That is why I say when a cop or firefighter is charged with OVWI (they have to have probable cause to charge) the paperwork for dismissal should be started. When the guilty verdict or the guilty plea is entered, they should be civillians again.