David Stern's double standard

by Vanilla Gorilla on Apr 30, 2008 8:30 AM EDT

I wasn't too surprised to learn that DeShawn Stevenson made the dreaded throat-slashing gesture during a Wiz-Cavs game (he's gotten carried away with the trash talk a little bit, IMO, and this falls in line with that), and it was no surprise at all that the NBA fined him (it seems a pretty standard practice). But I was VERY surprised to see the NBA repeatedly using the the throat-slashing gesture in its promos for tonight's game. There it was on NBA TV, a brief spot hyping Game 5 and showing DeShawn making a different gesture, then following up with the throat-slash.

I understand the point of discouraging the NBA's athletes from making such gestures. Kids watch these games and emulate their heroes on the court (I think there's also some gang connection to the gesture, but I'm so old and out of touch I'm not sure what it is). I wouldn't want either of my kids making that gesture on the court. But if the league banned the gesture because it wants to limit images of thuggishness and make the game more family-friendly, why in the world would they show it over and over in their promos? And if they are going to show it so much in an ad designed to attract viewers, how can they justify fining a player for it?

Doesn't make any sense to me, but neither does moving a team out of a cool city like Seattle for a dump like Oklahoma City, so what do I know?

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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Comments

When I clicked on the thread, i had to wonder

Which Double Standard you were referring to. It’s gotten to be so many. I’m of the same line of thinking you are.

It’s comical the faux stances this league takes. Stern is past his usefulness and his decisions the last 5 years have nothing to do with fairness.

by KD Drummond on Apr 30, 2008 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

I hadn't seen the promo

but that’s incredible hypocrisy.

by five by five on Apr 30, 2008 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Stern walked right by me on Thursday -

After his interview with Washington Post live. It crossed my mind to slap him as he walked right by on behalf of Seattle fans. But obviously I restrained myself. I used to think he was a really good commissioner but not any more. Its disgraceful the double standards and what’s going on in Seattle.

by ooba on Apr 30, 2008 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

Wait, you work for Comcast?

How else did he walk right by you?

Or were you being figurative, and I didn’t catch up on it.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 30, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

They filmed Washington Post live

at the game on Thursday on the 100 level where I sit. Stern was there being interviewed by Mike Wise and the host of the show whose name I don’t know. I was standing there watching the interview and really enjoying Wise asking why the league lets Lebron travel and why the league wants a Celtics/Lakers match up. After the interview Stern walked right by me as he was leaving. I was so close to him i could see the make-up on his face. Stephen A Smith walked right by me as well but he just makes me laugh so no slapping thoughts.

by ooba on Apr 30, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ahh

Being out of market deprives me of these things.

I interned for WPL last year … that’s why I was curious.z

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 30, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

There is something very wrong with that.

Stern’s MO is that he’s been a control freak, and that has been very good for the NBA much of the time. Here is one instance where it hasn’t been.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Apr 30, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

Double Standards

You wanna talk double standards, talk about Amare vs Garnett… Garnett is the new ‘face’ of the NBA because all of a sudden he plays in a huge media market for a very good team. He can get away with elbowing a player, throwing off and subsequently elbowing a ref, and rejoining the scrum. Phoenix should be rioting in the streets right now.

"[U]nless you hear something from the captains, which would be myself and Antawn, don't label that as the team. I'm the voice of this team and Antawn is the spiritual and emotional leader so unless you hear it from one of us, keep it moving."
Caron

by JasonGaines on May 1, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions