That story has spread so far and wide that we really should look carefully to see whether it's as clear-cut as many people assume. Were there any mitigating circumstances or evidence? If so, what? What exactly happened? No recollections or tirades, please. Let's try to stick to facts and links.
Uhm......yeah Dude......when you reach out and grab somebody by the throat like that you really don't have much you can say. Its a hot headed, immature, violent act that most normal people can control. Now I'm not saying that well all haven't wanted to b**** slap somebody every once in a while but you can't just attack your boss or anybody else (for any reason) and expect not to get the fast track to unemploymentville. What did PJ do, tell him he was screwing up in practice?....uhm its his job to tell him that......LOL Lets stop trying to understand how the other person feels about things and put the onus on the person commiting the act to be a little more responsible for his actions.
I'd be curious too. There are two sides to every story. When I was little I did something really awful to my brother who was 4 years older than me (I put thumbtacks under the carpet by his bed when he was asleep ). My brother tried to convince my mother that I should be admitted to the funny farm. My mom simply asked what he did to me that drove me to do such a horrible thing. I never felt better in my life!!! Because he would just tease and tease me for hours on end and drive me into a frenzy. But I had no way to fight back because he was a lot bigger than me. My mom knew that. Granted, I was like 11 at the time...and Spree was 25. But SOMETIMES you just gotta stand up for yourself...no matter the consquences. So Spree had his consequences to face because I'm sure he knew better...but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Period. btw, that was the end of the relentless teasing.
Actually there are a lot of reasons which make it ok to choke somebody. Example: If the other guy is trying to hurt you. If the other guy just raped or hurt your girlfriend/wife. also there are a lot of reasons which make it understandable for you to choke somebody.(which are probable more logical in this situation)
when did Stephen A Smith become a member of Clutch's Crew ?!?! ...after we talk about the facts under which its acceptable for a basketball practice can escallate to a player choking the coach, can we discuss how Artest was "defending" himself went he attack the fan that was 10 feet behind the loser who threw the beer at him ! I play ball every Monday night at a church - its a fun game for adults. If one argument goes beyond 10 seconds of discussion - the player is asked to leave and is never invited back. Unless its in the defense of self or others, violence is unacceptable. I do not want Spree on the Rockets - I don't care if he likes JVG... he is BAD KARMA !
Come on, DD. Sprewell was being attacked. Viciously so. P.J. Carlesimo yelled at Sprewell during practice. I mean, yelled at him. Yelled. At the player. I mean, just, you know, RAISED HIS VOICE. That deserves a choke! Mustard on the pass? How 'bout some Grey Poupon on a 2x4? I'll be right back. (tapping microphone) Is this thing on?
I hope that was a joke. That was one the worst analogies I've ever heard. You're comparing the prepubescent reasoning of a 11-year old being teased by a sibling to the reasoning of an adult NBA professional being criticized by someone who has the authority to do so. I may come off as a jerk but reasonable professional people never resort to violent, impulsive acts to resort any conflict, regardless of the circumstances. I don't care if PJ just told him he screwed Spree's mom the other night; as a professional, choking is just something you don't do.
I don't think he was right in what he did at all and he was severly punished for it, rightfully so. However, it's not like P.J. hasn't had his issues with players either. That doesn't excuse what he did, but it was an isolated incident nearly a decade ago. It will not a) make a difference in whether or not we try to sign him or b) make a difference in the reception he would receive by our fans.
I think the die hards will get over it, but it will bother the casual fan who hasn't followed Spree in a while and only knows 1) he choked his coach 2) he made the feed his family remark
Apparently it was due to "verbal abuse"... see the end of this article : http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/12.04.html
I am absolutely no Spree-lover, but hey -- this guy has been fine since 'then' and isn't that what 'punishment' is supposed to do? Do I want him as a Rock? He's ok, but so what. If he were five years younger, then Great! But he's not, nor am I.
I disagree. I think if they're just a casual fan, there's a good chance they've stopped caring about it. Good point about the feed your family remark, even though I think most fans who thought that was a ridiculous comment are finding sweet justice in his current employement situation. I know I am.
Will, Here's your answer. Golden state really sucked in 1997, and P.J. was telling the team how bad they sucked. Spree is a professional, and takes his job seriously. P.J. specifically jumped on Spree's a$$ hard, heated words were exchanged, and Spree attacked him. Eventually P.J. was fired and now works for Popovich in S.A. This is just about exactly how Spree tells the story, save for the part where he apologizes for what he did. I have heard Spree say this all over the media. -P1st, S2nd
I don't condone Spree choking the guy, but PJ was a complete ass and annoying as hell as coach of the Warriors. I lived in the Bay at the time, and even fans would cringe everytime PJ opened his mouth - the guy just doesn't know when to STFU. Can only imagine what it was like for the players having to listen to him nonstop. Anyways, the other thing that had Spree in a crazed rage of mind was the fact that he had been begging the Warriors front office to trade him the entire offseason. The previous season the Warriors had been terrible, largly due to the many and numerous boneheaded roster moves such as losing Webber for nothing. Sprewell had no faith in the front office and was begging to be traded to a team in a winning situation. He actually behaved professionally about it all thru the entire summer up until the choking incident, when he just snapped.
