Yeah everyone...don't sit behind your middle class desks and complain about a multi-millionaire breaking the law. Go clean up the welfare system so Allen Iverson and other rich guys aren't forced to have to live a life like this.
SRJ, I think you are somehow simultaneously (1) exxagerating the problem and (2) underestimating how much work it would take to fix. If the US welfare system was more robust, we wouldn't have the gang problems we have in the ghetto? Please! At the same time, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a thug to leave his thuggery days behind when he becomes a millionaire, especially when such thuggery is a product of a man's environment as you suggest. Even so, throwing your wife out into the street naked and then coercing people with a gun to help you find her again isn't acceptable, not even in the 'hood. In fact, I don't see how it pertains at all to having to "fight to survive." Why did he throw his wife out in the first place? I still like Iverson. He's a total punk, and I generally don't like punks. But, he's such a joy to watch on the court. And, I don't much care about his personal life. What do I care if Iverson is a good role model?
Don't you like to see the good guys win? Bryce Drew should have made it! and Rusty LaRue... and Matt Maloney. Maybe there's hope for Tierre Brown.
If this was a crime of passion I could as least reasonably conclude that it was a reaction that any of us could have had under the wrong circumstances. We all bust up over women. Occassionally some of us act on it. most of us do not. However, the police are making it sound pre-meditated. I don't care how you grew up. We all know right from wrong. If this action was pre-meditated he should have known better. He should have made the right decision -and quite simply, he did not.
Go to Philly and say those words. You guys would be shot right there on the spot. He is not a role model, never asked to be a role model, and never will be a role model. If you dont want your kids to grow up to be like him, then it is your responsibility to make sure it doesnt happen.
Is that suppose to be cool or something? Why would any of us want to go to Philly to say it when we know we will get shot? He did not ask to be a role model, but he has to be one. It comes with territory. There are millions of kids who look up to athletes. Especially the good ones. Iverson is good no doubt, so at least in public he has to act like a role model. Not too much to ask when you are making millions and millions of dollars for playing a game.
If its that much of a problem, dont expose your kids to it. Its that easy. Or, be a good parent and let them know that actions taken by such players are not good. Being a parent is much more important than worrying about what some basketball player does when he isnt on the court. If a parent does his/her job at home, then actions by these players should not affect them. If a player such as Iverson causes a child to get a gun and go on the streets, then the problem lies in the household, in the parents, or in the child. To blame it on a basketball player is a cop out. Parents should take responsibility for their childs actions, they shouldnt blame it on an athlete.
Why not? Do you not live in a society governed by laws, social order, and somewhat mannerly behavior? Doesn't that require you to be a role model? The only issue is this: how many people are watching YOU...
Read my previous post. Thats all. And no, there is no law that says that I should be good so that kids can look up to me.
Whatever. I said it was a "responsibility" not a "law." I agree with what you said in the previous post about it being the family's responsibility, but that doesn't mean that we don't all have a responsibility to be outstanding citizens. Lot of pressure.
And I agree with you. But we cant expect someone who grew up under the conditions that Iverson grew up in to be a good role model. Parents should take care of this. There are many players other than Iverson that arent law abiding citizens. In fact, there are more thugs in the NBA than good guys.
That's a cop-out. He can "better himself" and has the opportunity to do so. He can be a role model for kids like himself that grew up with one parent in the hood. If he didn't want to be a role model, than he should have never put on that NBA uni. Part of being a professional athelete is taking on the responsiblity of being a role model. I'm a parent and my 2 1/2 year old son thinks I hung the moon. But as he gets older, being his role model will become more difficult. He will become to love and talk about atheletes with his friends. He will "want to be like Mike," as all his friend do. It's not like my son is going to be with his friends and say "I want to be like my dad, a production manager for an advertising company!" How is that "cool" to a young kid? Just like I wanted to be like Earl Campbell and Jose Cruz growing up, my son will pick his athelete. And I hope to god that his teams have enough sense to continue to pick good decent men like Francis, Mobley, Biggio, Bagwell, Carr, Ming (we'll see), etc..... Parents can only guide in the right direction and hope for the best. Than the NBA deserves to continue to fall from grace.
Sphere, Im sure you will teach your child right from wrong. When he sees an athlete do something stupid, then he will know it. You shouldnt worry about thugs like Iverson because how you raise your child will ultimately factor into the decisions he makes.
Its not a cop-out. Iverson hasnt killed or raped (something that is typical of people from his neighborhood). So he waves a gun around every now and then. Im not agreeing with his actions, but its not too too too terrible. He also donates a lot to a charity that he has. He is not the nicest guy out there, but he has "bettered" himself.
