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djsunyc
Posts: 44929
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Calling the Shots: Its Time For More To Step It Up
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By Alex Labidou
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Sep 7, 2005, 23:09
Sometimes a hero can come from the most unexpected places. For the first time in his career, Stephon Marbury became a leader. Crying the same tears that thousands in New Orleans are, Stephon Marbury vowed to help rebuilding New Orleans. His promised donation of 500,000 to one million dollars is the highest donation by NBA player (Kobe Bryant and Alan Henderson are the second highest at 100,000). "I see them little kids crying, I just think about my kids, about my son," Marbury said struggling to speak. "You see little babies floating in the river. It's amazing. Amazing; these people are still just going. You complain about the littlest things. But we're so fortunate to breathe and walk, knowing all of this is going on." If ever a time where the media needs to reconfigure its slant on Stephon Marbury; now is the time. For years whenever anyone spoke about Stephon Marbury, generosity was the last thing anyone would mention. From the rumors that his family tried to scam College recruiters to his playing days in New Jersey; there seems to be a conception that (although sometimes that perception is warranted) Marbury is a very selfish individual. While at times Marbury has a shoot first mentality, his efforts dealing with charities have been long standing. From playing in charity basketball games to speaking at schools, Marbury is very underappreciated in his efforts to help those who are underprivileged. My question is where are all the other superstars?
In a league where the average salary is approximately 5 million per season; it is troubling to see that the only notable contributors (from the NBA) to in the attempts to help Katrina victims are Stephon Marbury(500,000), Kobe Bryant (100,000), Alan Henderson (100,000), Shaquille O'Neal (clothing drives), Allan Houston (organizing efforts), Lindsey Hunter (trucks for the victims), Chris Duhon (30,000), Baron Davis(60,000), Antonio Davis (organizing efforts), and Pat Garrity (organizing efforts). Where is Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, or Kevin Garnett amongst other players? Why haven't these guys stepped it up. People are dying left and right, most of the them from the same poor neighborhoods that these guys came from. Those people, who might forever lose the lives they once had, need you. Whenever its time to display your DUB modeled cars, or your 3 to 5 million dollar mansions, we always know where to find you guys; what about now? Just remember how many of those people afforded you the great opportunity to play in the NBA by buying your products such as sneakers or clothes. If any of you are doing the right thing, then I am willing to admit the mistake and publish the efforts that are being done. However if not what's taking you so long? There are children dying, young women being raped, e coli flooding the waters left and right; these people need their heroes to step up for them.
Its time for each and every player in the league to feel outraged. From Rick Brunson to Chris Webber: get out and help these people. While many might say "I am doing something, its just not being publicized," as your role as leaders in America: you should do everything in your power to display leadership. Too many athletes are afraid to be role models for their fans. They have to realize that it was the efforts of Bill Russell, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali standing against injustices that allowed them many of the privileges that they have today. There seems to be more coverage on where the Saints and Hornets will play as opposed to the players who should be out there saving lives. As shown over the past week, many lives could have been saved if the right leadership had been taken within the government for prevention procedures. Has there ever been a group of victims that have been as neglected as the New Orleans victims? Allan Houston's statements yesterday at the Operation Rebound press conference gave an example of what athletes should be doing, "My friend Lindsey Hunter, who lives in Jackson, Miss., called me. He didn’t call Billy Hunter. He didn’t call Feed the Children. He just got a couple of trucks and went down there and helped out people who were coming through the water. We’re supposed to do this. Everyone can do something.” Yes everyone can do something, its time for our leaders to perform in the clutch.
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9/7/2005 2:44 PM