Denial Ain't Just a River..

The New York Times recently published an article about an academic paper that was written concerning the connection between NBA officiating and race. To be very vague, the study essentially showed that there was a statistically significant (I hate you econometrics) correlation between fouls calls and the race of the player. There was an immediate response from the NBA disputing the results and the there was a number of high profile players (Kobe, Lebron, etc) that refuted the claims of racism as well. In my mind, the numbers speak for themselves. While officials may not be purposely trying to bring racism into their job, there are some things that occur subconsciously. Read Blink by Malcom Gladwell if you want to read more into this. It is not something I want to dwell on right now.

What I do want to focus on though is the fact that race is still very prevalent in sports. Bottom line is unless you live with your head in the clouds you must recognize that racism is still very evident in society and sports. What has triggered this topic for me is this ridiculous rule that players can not leave the bench to go onto the floor during an NBA game. I look at sports like the NHL and MLB. These two sports are known, amongst other things, for having fist fights and bench clearing brawls. While these events are not encouraged (in baseball at least) they are allowed to occur. Once they do, it is up to the umpires/referees to "squash" it. Both the NHL and MLB league offices have faith in the people they employ. Baseball allows an entire team, bullpens and dugouts included) to rush the field.

Now look at the NBA. If there is even the most minor infraction of the rule concerning coming off the bench the player is automatically suspended one game. It is utterly ridiculous. Don't tell me about the Pistons/Pacers brawl because this rule was instituted 10 years before that. In addition, the problem with that was players going into the stands, not coming onto the court! The fact is that the NBA does not trust its players to diffuse the situation. Instead, they penalize players for barely leaving the bench. For every Ron Artest or Stephen Jackson though, there are 10 Jaque Vaughns and Richard Jeffersons. If you think race does not come into the equation here at some level, you are clueless. The fact that the league is predominantly black definitely influences this.

The fact is that this rule is just an offshoot of the underlying culture of how the players are treated. For example, look at recently deceased Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock. He was drunk, driving, on the phone with a woman (some say hooker) and have almost an ounce of weed in the car. How is the media covering this? They are making him out to be a victim and a tragic figure. Now, I am not saying that he should not be remembered as a victim or any of that. I am just saying that if this was a black man would he be viewed the same way? Would he instead be viewed a careless individual who was into late nights, good pot and beautiful women? In the same respect, look at Josh Hamilton. He is being made out to be a hero for overcoming drugs and making to the big leagues. While he is a champion over drugs, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden were recovering junkies. I am sorry, but this is how I have seen it.

The bottom line is that racism is still alive (props Mr. Kanye West). Instead of buying into this reality that is hyped by the overwhelmingly old white male media, these leagues should do a better job of protecting and defending their players. Rules like this where it shows a clear lack of trust in its (black) players does not accomplish this. While you you may not change the minds of the people, at least you can honestly say that you are doing everything possible to eliminate race from your thoughts and intentions.

Addendum:

The argument is made that this leaving the bench rule is because the fans are so close to the court, while other sports have more of a barrier between fans and players. This is true, but the benches are also much closer. It is that much tougher to just stand there while your teammate gets hit with a cheap shot when it is 10 feet away and there is nothing between you and the altercation.

To be fair, I have a personal beef with this rule as a result of Game 5 of the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals. At the end of the game, Charlie Ward of the Knicks was bodyslamed by PJ Brown of the Heat. The Knicks basically stormed the court, while the Heat did not such thing (it was right next to the Heat bench and they did not have to). As a result the Knicks had to deal with suspensions to Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Larry Johnson, amongst others. The Knicks lost the series as a result. I still believe that was the best Knick team of the 1990's (thats for another post).

Oh, and just for good measure take a look at that bodyslam by PJ Brown and then what Robert Horry did to Steve Nash. You tell me what is worse. They both got a two game suspension.

STKAFI