“I absolutely understand why they’re doing what they’re doing, and I respect their courage for what they’ve done. The question is whether it will do any good or not because it seems that change really seems to happen through political pressure, no matter how you look at it. Whether it’s Dr. King getting large groups together and boycotting buses, or what’s happened in Carolina with the NBA and other organizations pulling events to make it known what’s going on. But I think the important thing that Kaepernick and others have done is to keep it in the conversation. When’s the last time you heard the name Michael Brown? With our 24/7 news, things seem to drift. We’re all trying to just exist and survive.
“It’s easier for white people because we haven’t lived that experience. It’s difficult for many white people to understand the day-to-day feeling that many black people have to deal with. It’s not just a rogue policeman, or a policeman exerting too much force or power, when we know that most of the police are just trying to do their job, which is very difficult. I’d be scared to death if I was a policeman and I stopped a car. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. And part of that in our country is exacerbated by the preponderance of guns that other countries don’t have to deal with. It gets very complicated.
"At this point, when somebody like Kaepernick brings attention to this, and others who have, it makes people have to face the issue because it’s too easy to let it go because it’s not their daily experience. If it’s not your daily experience, you don’t understand it. I didn’t talk to my kids about how to act in front of a policeman when you get stopped. I didn’t have to do that. All of my black friends have done that. There’s something that’s wrong about that, and we all know that. What’s the solution? Nobody has figured it out. But for sure, the conversation has to stay fresh, it has to stay continuous, it has to be persistent, and we all have a responsibility to make sure that happens in our communities.”Basic empathy can go a long way.
Remember this, many of these international players drafted high up don't have that much experience. They are drafted on potential because they're so young, 18 or 19 years old, and because of an individual workout. But these guys haven't gotten the job done night in and night out, 30-35 times a season, like a college player in America.
You heard the magical word "upside" so many times on Thursday night. What about some downside? I know most people won't agree with me, but see me in three years when we'll have the real evaluation of these draft picks. I feel we will see a backlash involving the foreign players. I believe there will be a number of flops, with several guys unable to endure the long term of an NBA season. It is certainly different than the pressures of playing abroad.
It's definitely a dilemma. NBA scouts and administrators often look for and find the warts of our college players because they see them so often. They search for and talk about their negatives. Think about analyzing guys like Nick Collison, Dwyane Wade, T.J. Ford, Jarvis Hayes, Kirk Hinrich, Reece Gaines, etc. Scouts have seen them so many times over the course of a season and during their college careers, and often people don't spend enough time looking at the positives.
Pop is a well known America hater, look at all the foreigners he puts on his Spurs teams. Jobs that could have gone to hard working Americans.spoiler (click to show/hide)Quote from: Dick VitaleRemember this, many of these international players drafted high up don't have that much experience. They are drafted on potential because they're so young, 18 or 19 years old, and because of an individual workout. But these guys haven't gotten the job done night in and night out, 30-35 times a season, like a college player in America.
You heard the magical word "upside" so many times on Thursday night. What about some downside? I know most people won't agree with me, but see me in three years when we'll have the real evaluation of these draft picks. I feel we will see a backlash involving the foreign players. I believe there will be a number of flops, with several guys unable to endure the long term of an NBA season. It is certainly different than the pressures of playing abroad.
It's definitely a dilemma. NBA scouts and administrators often look for and find the warts of our college players because they see them so often. They search for and talk about their negatives. Think about analyzing guys like Nick Collison, Dwyane Wade, T.J. Ford, Jarvis Hayes, Kirk Hinrich, Reece Gaines, etc. Scouts have seen them so many times over the course of a season and during their college careers, and often people don't spend enough time looking at the positives.[close]
I didn't expect Kaep's action to take off like this. The support he has received, and the conversations this has sparked among black athletes, has been great.
Pop is Pop, he's the man. If I could eat dinner with any NBA related person (outside of Rosalyn Gold-Onwude :noah) it would be him.
Whats the thoughts on lebrons comments?
I question if this will further the cause or incite more violence in the end. MLK would not have approved.MLK wouldn't have approved of peaceful protest? MLK's form of protest is the only correct way to protest? Come on man. Leave that shitty argument to the racist white people.
Almost all the people despising Kaep's kneeling are the same people who have such nice things to say about Obama.
I personally loved what the Seahawks did. That's would have meant so much more had they have done that first.I thought it came off as more of a team unity thing than sending any kind of greater message.
I think the incredibly outsized reaction to Kaepernick's harmless protest might garner some support as part of MLK's philosophy was forcing everyone else/potential allies to see the reaction of the racists to his also relatively harmless protests. If people lose their damn minds like this over a guy kneeling rather than standing during the national anthem? That's informative.
Not to say this is anywhere close to risky or whatever as you mention, but rather that the reaction is the important thing.
I think the incredibly outsized reaction to Kaepernick's harmless protest might garner some support as part of MLK's philosophy was forcing everyone else/potential allies to see the reaction of the racists to his also relatively harmless protests. If people lose their damn minds like this over a guy kneeling rather than standing during the national anthem? That's informative.yuuuuup
Not to say this is anywhere close to risky or whatever as you mention, but rather that the reaction is the important thing.
I didn't expect Kaep's action to take off like this. The support he has received, and the conversations this has sparked among black athletes, has been great.
Pop is Pop, he's the man. If I could eat dinner with any NBA related person (outside of Rosalyn Gold-Onwude :noah) it would be him.
Look man. Let me counterpoint. I have lived the shit he's protesting. I'm sure you have, we know.
But let me ask you this, if this dude had even a thought he's still NFL relevant would he have done this? I promise he would not have. And you know it. I can't not think this is the current output of the "hey look at me" generation.
If LBJ kneels, I'll respect without question. If Jerry Rice kneels, if Jordan kneels, if Kobe kneels....etc. I can't do that with him. I question if this will further the cause or incite more violence in the end. MLK would not have approved.
I personally loved what the Seahawks did. That's would have meant so much more had they have done that first.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fNZ6ATM0Bcc