http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3338181&name=broussard_chris

Just a funny topic, I read a blog post from Chris Broussard on ESPN and it basically was talking about sports stereotypes...and it quoted Stan Van Gundy, in talking about Tyler Hansborough.

Basically, Van Gundy said, when a player beats his chest or is pumped or yells after a dunk, often (not always) the reaction is, "If he's black, he's got not class, if he's white, he plays with such fire."


I thought about that, and I think it extends further and it's kinda funny.

Sometimes, when you read scouting reports, it rarely ever compares a white player to black or vice versa (on hoopshype, it compares Chase Buddinger, a high flying, 3 point shooting white guy, to brent Barry...which might have been a good comparison...if barry were still 24. His game is kinda like JR Smith's)

A lot of times...white players are commended for their headiness, intelligence, and work ethic, but nto for their athleticism or skill. (why when Jason Williams was popular does he have to be "white chocolate" lol...though that's a bad example because Jason Williams acts more like 50 Cent than Eminem...lol)

And black guys are noted for their athleticism, skill, or "natural" ability.

One notable exception it seems, is that KG is praised for his emotion, and he doesn't get the showboat comments...even though I personally think his emotions cross over into ass hole territory often lol.

Finally, in regards to David Lee. I always thought he was a great athlete, but I also attribute hard work to him...now I really believe that, but I wonder if his race is subconsciously playing a factor in MY perception of that.

When you see great player and decent man you are not thinking about race but about greatness and humanity.
When you see garbage and retard you start thinking race; and depending on which race you are - you will come up with excuses or blame.
It's not about players - it's about us.

Hansbrough in black and whiteposted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 |


Along with Memphis' poor foul shooting and Stephen Curry's coming-out party, one of the major themes of this year's NCAA Tournament was the media coverage of North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough.

With Dick Vitale, who actually said Hansbrough has displayed more "desire'' than any college player he's ever seen, and others praising him so lavishly, some wondered aloud if Psycho-T was being over-hyped because he's white. Others chastised those who wondered aloud for playing the race card.

Well, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy had an interesting take on the matter when he appeared on "The Boog Sciambi Show'' on 790 AM radio in Miami last Friday.

Making some refreshingly honest comments about race, Van Gundy said the fawning over Hansbrough had indeed gone to ridiculous extremes because he's white.

Here's the uncut dialogue:

Sciambi: "Would they (the media) use the same adjectives to describe him (Hansbrough) if he were black?''

SVG: "Well, probably not. But I think there's two things going on there. Well three. Let's give the guy his due. He plays the game well and he plays it hard okay. With no hyperbole he does do that, so let's start there.

"But then the second and third factors I think definitely you hit on it, there's the racial thing. People go crazy over white players. They tend to assign character qualities to them rather than just good play. And then the third thing is the emotion. He plays with a lot of emotion. You know, he's jumping up and down, he's all over the place and for whatever reason when fans see that they think that equates to a greater desire to win than a guy, let's say, that plays like Tim Duncan played even in college. Who just sort of pretty even keeled, doesn't show a lot of emotion but just keeps playing well and getting the job done.

"For whatever reason fans, media, whoever, equate the show of emotion with a greater desire to win and I think its B.S. But I think it happens so I think there's that on top of the racial issue."

Sciambi: "Don't numbers two and three tie together because aren't, in a lot of instances, isn't the white public or media offended at times by the show of emotion when it's a black guy? If its Chad Johnson dancing to show emotion, 'Hey wait a second, we don't like that so much.'''

SVG: "That's a great point. I mean I do think that happens a lot. 'The black guy has no class, but the white guy's playing with fire.' I don't think there's any question about that."

Who knew Stan Van Gundy had read "The Autobiography of Malcolm X"?

But seriously, I thought Van Gundy's comments were very insightful, and I agree with them completely.

Hey, I have absolutely no problem with white fans wanting to see white players succeed in basketball. And I don't have a problem with them pulling for a player just because he's white. After all, I pull for Tiger just because he's black, or should I say Cablanasian.

What I have a problem with is the difference in the way folks interpret the actions of white and black players. Like Van Gundy said, "the black guy has no class, but the white guy's playing with fire.'' I also loved Van Gundy's line about people assigning "character qualities'' (always positive) to white players.

How many times has a black player been criticized for showing emotion: beating his chest, raising his arms to the rafters, or screaming, after a dunk; or doing a little dance or a wiggle after making a play?

That's just emotion, but too often, it's criticized as "showboating'' or "bad sportsmanship.''

Yet when Hansbrough shows emotion, its "desire.''

Here's the other point about Hansbrough:

How will he do in the NBA?

I always wonder about undersized post players. I think, "Will he be the next Larry Johnson or the next Tractor Traylor?''

Remember how dominant Corliss Williamson was in college? Michael Sweetney? Byron Houston? Marcus Fizer?

If an undersized post player doesn't have tremendous explosion and long arms, he could have trouble in the NBA. And Hansbrough doesn't have either.

I'd love to have him on my NBA team -- but as a role player off the pine.

After all, he does play with great heart and desire. Just like a lot of black players.

It's all true but one thing strikes me.
Why desire and passionate play became a rarity in NBA to the extend it seen as exceptional quality of a player?
If you have no desire in NHL you are out of the door and you will not even go to farm club.
In NBA player still get paid millions. And this is nothing to do with race.

Funny we compare white usually on to other white players.

Of course the assumption is the white player is slower, better fundamentals and no hops.

For me I find there is a fine line between playing with passion and being obnoxious. Sometimes in football the exuberance is over the top. LIke making a tackle and celebrating it like it was the first time the guy ever did it, and in the first quarter never the less.

I have not watched Hansbourgh enough to say he is obnoxious, but he plays with passion, as does dozens of over players regardless of race.

Lets take nate for example. He is obnoxious. If a white kid did it he might actually get his ass kicked, but thats another story.

Racist overtones are always going to be in sport. The black guys think the white guys are not as good and the white guys think the black guys like to stick it in their faces a bit too much.

Somewhere there maybe elements of truth to all of this, but it exists, and its done on both sides.

I like the way Clyde used to handle things. Never celebrate, never complain. Phil Chinier thru the ball at clyde in a fit of frustration and one would expect a confruntation to happen. Clyde than hung 38 pts on him and shut him down. He embarassed the player and won the game. Revenge like that is the best. Knick team knew clyde was on a mission and he increased the tension and level of play on his team by leading by example. Such leadership inspires better play. Hooting and hollering does not.