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"NBA Has Gotten So Black American That The White Fan Has No One Special To Cheer"
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playa2
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5/23/2007  8:20 AM
Sherman Alexie on Watching the NBA Through a Racial Lens


May 22, 2007 12:38 PM


Author and poet Sherman Alexie is best known for his writing (in a whole bunch of books and movies) about the contemporary Native American experience. He's also a big basketball fan, and a TrueHoop reader. (More than a decade ago, he says Time magazine called him "septic with his own unappeasable anger." A guy with a great sense of humor, he had that phrase printed on a t-shirt and plays basketball in it.) He emailed some thoughts about all the anger out there towards the NBA:


I'm positive the anti-NBA reaction is racial AND racist.

First of all, in racial terms, the game has become so black American and internationally dominated that the typical white American fan has nobody special to root for. That's not racism, but it is racial. And it's not a problem. If a Native American ever makes it into the NBA, he will instantly become my favorite player because I will racially, culturally, and physically identify with him. I understand and completely accept why so many white guys love Larry Bird, just as I understand why there are 1,000 black kids in Kobe Bryant jerseys at every Laker game played here in Seattle. It's a tribal thing.

But the racial aspects of fandom can easily become racist. And I think that many white fans, having no player like Larry Bird or even Tom Chambers to root for, have consciously and/or subconsiously turned that lack of a special white player into an indictment of the league in general. And since the league is black it becomes an indictment of blackness.

The language is coded (those NBAers don't play basketball "the right way") but it's not hard to figure out the true meanings.

I think there's also an anti-superhero bias, too.

Stay with me on this one.

NBA players have completely transcended the game. The typical fan goes to the arena to watch a basketball game, but that's not what's happening anymore. It's a whole new sport. I don't even watch college games and NBA games with the same eyes anymore. I have two sets of eyes, or perhaps the better (tortured) analogy is that I have learned to be basketball bilingual. I understand that basketball is played in two different languages: the NBA and everybody else. And I think that a vast majority of NBA fans are just not interested in learning the new language. I think of the hundreds of people over the years who have sat near me at Sonics games and completely misunderstood the illegal defense rules, or the charge circle rules, or, well, you get the point ...


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...cial-Lens.html

JAMES DOLAN on Isiah : He's a good friend of mine and of the organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have strong ties to me and the team.
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Nalod
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5/23/2007  9:26 AM
Playa,

its time for your weekly racial article? Every week its like your trying to stir up somting or trip up whitey into saying somthing.

Regardless of what your motives may be (there the fuel your looking for) that article is really diluted and an old old story. We did this back in the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson days and beat it to death.

The NBA is American with black superstars and white role players. THe best Players are black. The best player of the last 10 years Tim Duncan is lableled boring.

The best center is a giant Chinese man. The MVP for the last two years was a no nonsense white Canadian. The MVP this year was a White German. The most clutch playoff shooter currently is an argentine national (of European decent)and the point guard on the next champion is a French kid who seems to be a blend of everything on the planet.

Seems to me the best players currently are not even from this country. The best athletes seem to be.

Winning is winning.

Race has it heroes and will always be that way. I agree, its tribal, but the "typical white american fan has no one to root for?"

I can't speak for all white fans, but it seems like Nash seemed to have filled that slot the last few years (north american) and we can lay claim to half of Kidd, Deron, and I guess Tony Parker since he is doing Eva.

Since we live in a melting pot, we will have our racial heroes. In the NBA we got Chinese, Mexican, Latin, Euro, White, and Black all succeding!

Maybe the NBA is the best of all leagues now with the most integreation which is first and formost based on talent. Seems like in the NBA all most any fan can find someone to root for. 20 years ago it was black or white. Now its a bit of everything. Since most white americans are of european decent, I don't think this bugs most white fans out too much.

And in the end, winning is what elevates special players. Fundamentals seem to also go a long way.

The Detroit Pistons have been to 5 straight conf. finals and are mostly a black team. They play the right way.

Now if you ask me, a final of Spurs-Pistons lacks any presence of a charasmatic type superior athlete like Kobe, Iverson, Lebron, Marbury, or Baron Davis. But the ratings are projected to not be good?

Wanna chew on that playa?

[Edited by - nalod on 05-23-2007 09:41 AM]
Solace
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5/23/2007  9:36 AM
^ Good post, Nalod.

Can we please stop making a racist issue out of everything? If anything you said made sense playa, then hockey would be the most popular sport by far. It isn't. So, enough. Zzz....

And yes a lot of players come into the NBA as great athletes, but lacking basketball fundamentals. This is not a racist issue.
Wishing everyone well. I enjoyed posting here for a while, but as I matured I realized this forum isn't for me. We all evolve. Thanks for the memories everyone.
Silverfuel
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5/23/2007  9:49 AM
playa is trolling the forum again.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
bobs3304
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5/23/2007  9:59 AM
i cheer for me.


b.c. im white.
DLee is the best thing to happen to NY in Isiah's 4 year tenure. And that alone, though a positive on the radar, is sad as hell.
TrueBlue
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5/23/2007  10:02 AM
Playa can you post an article from the same Writer covering the same Topic except this time use Hockey as an example.


THANKS!
LMFAO @ the Bio [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephon_Marbury[/url]
Pharzeone
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5/23/2007  10:08 AM
Posted by Solace:

^ Good post, Nalod.

Can we please stop making a racist issue out of everything? If anything you said made sense playa, then hockey would be the most popular sport by far. It isn't. So, enough. Zzz....

And yes a lot of players come into the NBA as great athletes, but lacking basketball fundamentals. This is not a racist issue.

Chris Russo on his radio show validated Playa post. Saying that his white friends do not follow the NBA anymore because it has changed since the 80s. When a caller asked him to explain he stated it was a racial thing (Mad Dogg has an issue with black people). Commissioner Stern says that his league takes alot of grief because of closet racist 2 weeks ago. Something tells me that is a little more to the article than either Nalod or Solace want to let on. BTW, it doesn't help matters when Larry Legend goes on a ESPN show and tells the world that he felt disrespected when an opposing coach would put a "white" player on him.


"Well, I think so," said Bird, now the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations. "You know, when I played, you had me and Kevin [McHale] and some others throughout the league. I think it's good for a fan base because, as we all know, the majority of the fans are white America.

"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African- American."

Later he said that as a player he took it as an insult when opposing coaches had a white guy covering him. His point is that white guys aren't as good as black guys, and he should have been covered by the best players.

- Abstract from "In Bird's eyes, it's all black & white" Chicago Sun-Times, Jun 10, 2004 by Greg Couch
I don't like to play bad rookies , I like to play good rookies - Mike D'Antoni
BlueSeats
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5/23/2007  10:12 AM
Isn't it racist when a person assumes how another thinks or feels based solely on their race? That's what this author does, and some people are so eager to run with it.

If you guys get off on it, I could make up some stuff about how blacks really feel and we can disseminate that like it's truth too. Shall I?
Solace
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5/23/2007  10:16 AM
How can you use Chris Russo to validate any point? He represents brain dead morons.

Most of the people I know who don't watch the NBA, but used to, still watch college basketball. They grew tired of the NBA because it's not pure basketball, and the rules are often manipulated for entertainment value. Finally, it's hard to get a good game of fundamental basketball.

As for Larry Bird, again, you're talking about individuals. Just because a few people are noticeably racist; yes, some people are racist. Ooo, big revelation there. How does that prove the point? The way this has been presented makes it sound like it applies to everyone. It doesn't.

The main thing is that people want good quality of basketball. The quality has been decreased since Michael Jordan retired the second time, and that's the reason for the drop. The NBA is moving closer to another golden age, now that Oden, LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, Dirk, Nash, Amare, Yao, etc... will all be in the league at once.

I'm just tired of hearing malcontents make EVERY single damn topic in our culture become either a racist issue or a feminist issue. NOT everything is an issue of that type. In fact most issues aren't. Now please stop bitching about EVERYTHING so we can return to our regularly scheduled program. Thanks.

[Edited by - Solace on May 23 2007 10:17 AM]
Wishing everyone well. I enjoyed posting here for a while, but as I matured I realized this forum isn't for me. We all evolve. Thanks for the memories everyone.
Pharzeone
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5/23/2007  10:39 AM
Posted by Solace:

How can you use Chris Russo to validate any point? He represents brain dead morons.

Most of the people I know who don't watch the NBA, but used to, still watch college basketball. They grew tired of the NBA because it's not pure basketball, and the rules are often manipulated for entertainment value. Finally, it's hard to get a good game of fundamental basketball.

As for Larry Bird, again, you're talking about individuals. Just because a few people are noticeably racist; yes, some people are racist. Ooo, big revelation there. How does that prove the point? The way this has been presented makes it sound like it applies to everyone. It doesn't.

The main thing is that people want good quality of basketball. The quality has been decreased since Michael Jordan retired the second time, and that's the reason for the drop. The NBA is moving closer to another golden age, now that Oden, LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, Dirk, Nash, Amare, Yao, etc... will all be in the league at once.

I'm just tired of hearing malcontents make EVERY single damn topic in our culture become either a racist issue or a feminist issue. NOT everything is an issue of that type. In fact most issues aren't. Now please stop bitching about EVERYTHING so we can return to our regularly scheduled program. Thanks.

[Edited by - Solace on May 23 2007 10:17 AM]

"I'm just tired of hearing malcontents make EVERY single damn topic in our culture become either a racist issue or a feminist issue. NOT everything is an issue of that type. In fact most issues aren't."

Part of the issue is people like you want to put your head in the sand and pretend that the world isn't based on it which does more to keep the flames burning. Almost every issue that is done in the world has to do with RACE AND CREED. From political decisions concerning Iraq to where do you want to send your kids to school. And if you are naive enough to believe different then you are part of the problem not the solution.
I don't like to play bad rookies , I like to play good rookies - Mike D'Antoni
Nalod
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5/23/2007  10:47 AM
So when I turn on the game in Indy or Utah, and see only white faces I wonder who is really watching?

I personally think that the Starbury's, Iversons, Melos, and Stephan jax are bad for the games image regardless of whether its deserving or not. The reputaions hurt them.

But the Amare's,Duncans, Battiers, Allens, scores of good guys black players balance that out.

The league if it promotes its superstars and they fall has people then its a bad image thing.

I have been hearing the "don't watch NBA anymore" crap for years but the fans still go, sponsers are buying boxes, and the games warrant advertising $.

Lets ask this, if its a "Black mans game" then will the black fans stop watching becasue of the Spanish, Brazilian, Chinease, German and Canadians?

As for Larry and McHale, they freakin played in Boston for gods sake, and Larry has a unique perspective. HIs quote was entertaining but lets be real, he smoked both black and white alike and won big.

Sure Racism exists, and I don't need Playa to remind me of it, but there is a lot viewership watching the NBA and business seems pretty good.

Personally, I like the mix of nationalities now. Game and personalities is more interesting. May be black and white, but there are more shades now in between!
playa2
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5/23/2007  10:53 AM
Posted by Pharzeone:
Posted by Solace:

Chris Russo on his radio show validated Playa post. Saying that his white friends do not follow the NBA anymore because it has changed since the 80s. When a caller asked him to explain he stated it was a racial thing (Mad Dogg has an issue with black people). Commissioner Stern says that his league takes alot of grief because of closet racist 2 weeks ago. Something tells me that is a little more to the article than either Nalod or Solace want to let on. BTW, it doesn't help matters when Larry Legend goes on a ESPN show and tells the world that he felt disrespected when an opposing coach would put a "white" player on him.


Thank you Pharezone for understanding the post !

David Stern and Larry Bird holds more water than Nalod and Solace combined 3 times over.

This article has ruffled a few feathers , this wasn't my intent

But by your responses on this basketball issue you try to put it in a box like "OFF-TOPIC" discussions. Shame on you.

Why do you guys take post so personal ???

This is a topic of discussion not even written by me, I just so happen to agree. Is it ok do you guys approve Nalod-Solace ??


[Edited by - playa2 on 23-05-2007 10:55]
JAMES DOLAN on Isiah : He's a good friend of mine and of the organization and I will continue to solicit his views. He will always have strong ties to me and the team.
arkrud
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5/23/2007  11:37 AM
Personally I don't know which race are some players.
In fact I don't care. Same is in everyday life.
Some people just were too much at the sun and looks black and other have skin pigmentation messed up. A lot of people are coming from mixed families and so on.
People are great or miserable regardless of race, nation, religion, gender, etc. Isn't it?

Back to NBA.
The problem is not black or white the problem is Sport or Show. Or can it be a quality mix of both?
NBA leadership wan to bring more people to the game and get more money out of it.
So the question is - is the bbal game for people or people are there to make more millionaires and celebs?
There is no clear answer to these questions. The time will tell.
Bbal fan base is shrinking giving away fans to Soccer, Football, even Hockey and this is alarming.
In NJ the kids involved in soccer increased 20 times last 5 years and bbal lost 60% of kid’s involvement
Three are 2 billions Soccer fans worldwide - it's third of the world. Is soccer more entertaining that bbal?
I don't think so - but this is people game, ALL people...













"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet
MaTT4281
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5/23/2007  11:49 AM
Let the NBA sign Michael Jackson and tear down all these racial borders. Men, women, blacks, whites, everyone can find the mascot they're looking for.

Is this really an issue? If the average white fan doesn't want to watch basketball because of a lack of white heroes so to speak, are they even a basketball fan? Call me blind, but every where I go, I see kids, black, white, asian, whatever, sporting Kobe jerseys, Iverson jerseys, Kidd, Nash, Yao, w/e. Watch it for the game, not the skin.
bobs3304
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5/23/2007  11:54 AM
i said african americans were naturally better athletes in general than whites in my race matters class last year and a black kid took offense to that and wanted to kick my ass.


i'm standing there thinkin .... well hey, its a ****in compliment dude, chill the hell out.


and hey, larry legend said it too, so it must be true.

DLee is the best thing to happen to NY in Isiah's 4 year tenure. And that alone, though a positive on the radar, is sad as hell.
bobs3304
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5/23/2007  11:55 AM
btw just to throw in my daily piece of sarcasm....


"What are you guys talking about? We'll always have Adam Morrison!"
DLee is the best thing to happen to NY in Isiah's 4 year tenure. And that alone, though a positive on the radar, is sad as hell.
BlueSeats
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5/23/2007  12:01 PM
Posted by playa2:


This is a topic of discussion not even written by me, I just so happen to agree.

So like the Native American author, you feel as a black man you're better qualified to know how white people think than they are?
Mac
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5/23/2007  12:11 PM
What's with all the racially charged articles? not even an OT...
nykbasketball
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5/23/2007  12:13 PM
DAVID LEE!!!!!!
What's Defense?
nyk4ever
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5/23/2007  12:24 PM
I'm sick of this crap. I come to this forum to talk Knicks basketball and I even went on a forum hiatus because the constant racial theme that was coming up way to often on this forum for a good few weeks. I'm back for 1 day and it looks like it might be time for another hiatus.
"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
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