That is complete, total and utter BS. 240% more people of other races killed by cops every year than african americans. The number killed are actually inordinately low compared to others when you factor in the number of violent crimes. I don't want to get into a non-basketball discussion but KJ actually wishing for people to die does not reflect well on him. Much of the consideration about a player is about their level of skill but for me at least a small amount of it is about what kind of person they are. I think the NBA players are in a specific position to advocate *against violence not for it. Therefore since KJ advocates violence against police this is antithetical to anything the NBA should be promoting. I think there have been in the past small number of thugs in the NBA such as Javaris Crittenden and Gilbert Arenas - KJ seems to be a similar deal.
You're wrong. Compared to the % of the total population black people are killed at an inordinately higher rate than other races in the population. So while there are more Caucasian killed by police the percentage compared to the percentage of the total population is nowhere near blacks.
Sigh... Wasn't interested in going here but advocacy of violence concerns me immensely. Murder of anyone is not an option to solve problems. But this is from the US Bureau of statistics. Blacks committed 62% of robberies, 57% of murders and 45% of assaults in the United States in the 75 most populous counties (28.2% of all crimes as well) from 12.6% of the population. 26% of police fatal shootings were black however If you are black you are 93% more likely to die from a shooting from another black civilian and the police account for a tiny fraction of that. Really unfortunate actually that so much focus on the police and so little on murders in general. Once again any thought process where murder seems like a good idea to solve a problem is an issue.
That's how he started off. He was a second round pick, just like Marion and KJ. Defense was the only way second rounders got on the floor for the most part.
I know ppl like to quote stats all the time, but if I camp out in one community all day and wait for crimes the numbers won't reflect the entire picture. Plus, there will always be crime in low income areas, regardless of race. The crime problem is not a race issue it's a economic issue. People commit crimes in low income communities because they are not afforded with the same options as others in better neighborhoods. It's all about economics. But when black ppl are getting killed not even committing crimes, then you have no argument Cop kills a unarmed black kid playing in a park, your response "uhh, what about black on black crime???". A black man gets killed in walmart holding a air gun with his back turned, your response "Um but black kill blacks tho!!!". A black guy stranded on the side of the road gets killed with his HANDS UP, what's your response? Black on black crime again? 2 or the 3 incidents I mentioned didn't even go to trial. The 2 victims weren't even committing a crime before being shot in cold blood. I can name plenty of other incidents like this where video evidence contradicts police story, yet absolutely NO consequence. At the end of the day, you are criticizing from a place of privilege. That privilege comforts and protects you at all times. That's not the case for black ppl. Please get out of your bubble. KJ is a good kid. God bless
SHUT UP WITH THE COP TALK Shawn Marion was a top 10 pick, not a 2nd rounder KJ doesn't have the height/length of Marion & Ceballos. KJ is much more a wing player while the others played more in the frontcourt. In small sample size KJ is shooting .519 FG% and .333 from 3. If he keeps that up even around 45% FG he'll get some minutes. I do NOT think KJ will command the big contract like the OP states. His defense is great but his offense is still too flawed. Glaring limitations in dribbling and decision making not easily fixesd. But if Trevor Ariza could improve his 3pt shot, it gives hope to anyone.
Ya, I agree with you - the statistics don't tell the full story because you assume that everyone is policed in the same way and that's unfortunately not true in this country. As for KJ's comments, he basically retweeted a friend's tweet and said "Preach". I'm not even sure he knew what the word "martyr" meant, or if he was just agreeing with his hot friend because he's 22 and a dude looking for some action but that's beside the point - he retweeted it, got a bunch of backlash and immediately deleted it and tried to save face by saying he didn't post it. He wouldn't be the first 22yr old to say something stupid, immediately regret it, and then try to blame it on his boys. Let's put things in perspective here - he is young, not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, he at least had the sense to delete the offending tweet, and more than likely told a white lie to save face. I HIGHLY doubt KJ is wholeheartedly advocating violence against the police and is trying to cover up his viewpoint. It's far more likely he said something stupid not considering the full ramifications of what he was saying and then very ungracefully tried to back out of it. That doesn't make him a bad guy - just makes him a kid. Add to that the fact that he is pretty widely regarded as a hard working good kid - it's just highly unlikely he is a hiding a violent vengeful side to him.
Actually asserting cop killers are martyrs is exactly that. However, as has been said perhaps he didn't understand the meaning of "martyr" OR was just a young 22yo kid caught up in a hugely emotional moment. Everybody has said things they don't mean in their lives and hopefully we don't ever hear about KJ going down that path again.
"Actually asserting cop killers are martyrs is exactly that." That is truly incorrect, and they certainly are martyrs in the view of many people in their communities. 100 percent.
You right on Marion's draft position. Both Marion and Ceballos were slasher 6'7 SF Wings who played some small ball 4 just like the Rocket will do with KJ because of his length on defense despite him being 6'6.
What the hell is going on in this thread. Anyway I gave up on KJ a while ago, but early returns this year suggest I might have done so prematurely. Hope he proves me wrong and is able to help a winning team.
You're actually more right on the comparison than I previously thought. KJ PHYSICALLY is kind of a "hybrid" version of those guys together, Ceballos's build with Marion's athleticism. Ceballos crafted an entire All-Star career without having to outside shoot or dribble-create much, just filling lanes and cutting. It was a different era where efficient 2 point makers with no 3pt shot still mattered. That's where Marion's game is a closer comparison. Marion made the 2-pters without good handlees, and was just enough threat from outside. KJ could be a lighter wing verison. Though there's so much requirement for shooting now at that position, KJ really needs to step it up there. Tony Allen is basically a "zero" on offense. And even is around 35% on 3's past 2 years and 47% FG overall for his career.
I have no idea why people on this site were so down on KJ. He was a top 3 rookie in 2014-15 before we acquired (and benched) him. He should have been given an opportunity to crack the rotation last season, especially in the first 2 months, but Brewer was irreplaceable in JBB's eyes.
