In general, hats off to Rocketbooster. I often want to say the very same thing, but in specific terms about people I actually met. Not to name any specific context, but there is definitely xenophobia and bigotry going on in comments about the NBA. I've been a white person long enough (hehe) to know that is true. Rocketbooster, what do you think about let's just start a new thread called Bigotry-bashinng Poll and have everyone state how many times they've heard bigoted comments about the NBA because it is dominated by blacks. You are right; people should take their heads outta the sand. I certainly have heard stupid bigoted comments from my family, friends, in social situations...over and over. Everyone, I think Rocketbooster is just fed up. A "Chip on his Shoulder" is not it. Give him a little leeway. I am sure he is not making up the feelings and passion behind his words. I am sure he has heard enough comments throughout his life. I have, and I'm fed up with it. What I find though, is we can't have that conversation Rocketbooster started. It is like fatty fat fat saying how he hates anti-smokers, but 10 times more taboo. We certainly can't make general accusations. Best we can do is report what we personally hear. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited October 03, 2000).]
The Grid Iron guys are big...but or guys are big + fit + agile. A rugby league forward can come in a 110 kilograms etc...but the key is they can play up to 90 minutes NON STOP. The big guys in American football seem to play a few seconds and then it's stopped. I very much doubt they could go 90 minutes flat out... It's silly to comapre them but...they are DRAMATICALLY different games. Cool concept though ------------------
Guys, I've been down on the island trying to catch some leftover swell from Keith and have not had time to respond. Yes, my comments were voicerous and slightly inflamatory but sometimes thats what it takes to rouse us out of our comfort zones. Maybe it just what I really see, and not what I want to see that caused the unchecked emotional, unthoughtful post. I certainly could of got my point across in a more constructive way, and next time I'll take some deep breaths before continuing. i was wearing my emotions on my sleave, i guess. Is that what they say? I think some of you who are comparing other sports such as track, boxing, or whatever to disprove my point, are again trying to support your own blindness. This is basketball, and basketball is five men, battling five other men, unlike the other sports. And during the Olympics it was usually five white men vs. five black men. I'm sorry, you know what maybe it's just me, maybe I'm the only one that recognized it, and placed significance to that which I recognized, and It's not right and I know it. Hell, I dated a black girl in highschool for no short period of....I don't know why i'm sitting here trying to prove that I'm not racist. The fact is a portion of that crowd saw five black guys and five white guys battling against each other and not USA vs Lithuania, Russia , France or Italy. Thats the bottomline. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited October 05, 2000).]
Det threat and DOD: Regarding your question as to why the original Dream Team was so well liked - remember I'm talking about the unusual hostility in the crowd- it was probably because it was plyed in Spain. Now, that may a meant nothing, then. But, I guarantee you if the 2000 olympics with the exact same Dream Team, and everything involving the basketball competiton was rehearsed exactly as it happened, in Spain with all the arrogance and hooping and hollering, there would not have been an ounce of hostility in that crowd, in Spain. I really do believe that. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited October 05, 2000).]
Booster Final word mate... The crowd all CHEEERED the USA when they got here...absolutely loved them. People lined up for HOURS to buy tickets to see them... Gee wiz...when people did all that, I think they somehow knew the players were black... Now...they started to become unpopular AFTER they rolled into town telling everyone who'd listen how much better than everyone else they are. White guys...yellow guys...black guys...doesn't make a bit of difference. Facts are...people turned on them because they are arrogant. EXACTLY as people all turned on Gary Hall JR as they found him arrogant. Hang on mate...he's white...gee, their goes your theory. This has NOTHING to do with race...and EVERYTHING to do with attitude. ------------------
Man Booster, we're going to have to disagree on that big-time. I think the same team in Spain would've been thought of the same way. The cat-calls may not have been as loud, but we would've been thought of as "those egotistical Americans" (and deservedly so, in that case). ------------------ I got nothin'.
I happen to be white. I happen to love the sport of basketball. I happen to have watched a good deal of these games we're talkin about here. There were some things that would lead anybody of fair mindedness to believe some of the USA's players were apathetic, arrogant, and at times downright unsportsmanlike. This upsets and saddens me because I love Rudy T and the NBA in general. Maurice Green and the rest of the 4 by 100 relays acted probably even more unsportsmanlike in my opinion. So did Gary Hall and that USA runner who beat the field by alot but not before turning his head just before the finish line and giving the hurry up wave. I'm American and I'm not an ******* and now these assholes to varying degrees are making me and my countrymen to be percieved the same way. Others nations already dislike us for our politics and domination on the world scene. Our greedy and yet whiny attitudes and our ultra consumer fat ass high fallutin SUV pollutin ways. Maybe they're right. ------------------ ***Elie... we don't need no stinkin Elie Mobley's takin over ROCKETS IN 2000 BABY***
MATT!!!! Always with the great posts....it takes alot to get you out!! Man, you have got to go to the game Portland game with us. Do you still have my email? It is an away game, and Rocketman Tex has us organized at Little Woodrows, I think. Rocketbooster...you are not alone.
Nice post Matt... Agreed...no on here is naive enough to think "all Americans are assholes". No way. I met quite a few during the games and they were all cool guys and gals. Also... My parents rented a place out for two weeks. First week was to a couple from the USA who my dad said were sensational. Green loving...educated...down to earth and lovely people. Second week...some Australians stayed...absolute assholes my dad said! Opinionated...rude and messy... Point is...EVERY country has it's good and bad. No one is stupid enough to not believe that. The pity is SOME on the USA team reflected poorly on ALL. At an event like that...what 5% does, normally stuff's it up for everyone else. Anyway...no hard feeling against anyone and bring on the NBA season. Go the Rocks! ------------------
Little Woodrow's sounds good, count me in. I don't have your e-mail partner but contact me with whatever is up anytime. I do need to take exception to the opinion that was basically calling the Aussies racist or at least more so than Spaniards. Both nations have ethnic inequalities that aren't similiar to anything we have in America and there cultures are doing alot to become what America also needs to strive for. That is to be more understanding. There was definitly a better attitude on the original Dream Team I believe. But really that just says volumes about the players and not about anything the coaches could have done. I also should mention I was upset with many of the referees biased seeming, or at least very incorrect game calling. But I think that was half brought on by the players obvious sense of entitlement. Anyway I think the solution is within the players own hearts. If they aren't conscientious enough well they pay the price in lost respect. I just hope Rudy doesn't pay too much of a price for their undeserved arrogance. ***Elie... we don't need no stinkin Elie Mobley's takin over ROCKETS IN 2000 BABY*** [This message has been edited by MattsayzIstillbelieve!!! (edited October 08, 2000).]
Sorry to chip in to this thread, but Booster is claiming that in the Basketball arena ONLY it was 5 whites on 5 blacks most times and the crowd cheered for the whites (that being the reason the American team was hated) - now, having been to many of the games at the olympics I would like to end his silliness once and for all. The Angolan team was 5 blacks. Apart from the Aussie team they received the biggest cheers at the basketball games. Most of the time those 5 black Angolans played against 5 whites from another nation. This is NOT about racism. And from the KG "quote" - he is basically saying that Australians don't have as much respect as Americans do. Well for the information of KG, respect is earned and NOT taken. The team USA did NOTHING to EARN any respect from anybody and hence were DISrepsected by the crowd. As much as Maurice Green has an arrogant swagger and all, he didn't earn himself a booing by cussing out the crowds and telling his opponents how much better than them he was. ------------------
