nineteen, your hatred against Rudy is very disturbing. You say you don't hate him. But look at what you have written about him with all your posts here. You have sought every opportunity to say derogative things about Rudy. I have yet seen one single positive thing about Rudy from you. And your negativity has gone way beyond his coaching. What does the punch have to do with his coaching? My goodness! How does your mind work? I don't believe in the ignore list, not even for the trolls. I don't think you are a troll because I've noticed some positive discussions about the Rockets from you. But I am seriously considering making you the first on my ignore list.
Screw Washington. I guess it is too damned bad that he can't get a job in the NBA. I don't care what skin color he is....has it mattered to Rick Barry? Kermit...if you can't do the time, then don't do the crime, and please we are tired of your whine. DaDakota
It was a mistake, plain and simple. Regardless of what drivel Washington may spew about race playing a role in why he was suspended (even though, I think it has more to do with why no one believed him or Kareem...he agreed with the suspension), he does know what happened was wrong and a mistake. That, and Rudy T's feelings toward the man, is all that should matter at this point. He has definitely been blackballed, and I think that's a shame. The dude I hate is Kunnert. He nearly single handedly ruined that book. If you're going to end every comment with "Kermit should get over it", don't ****ing respond.
Hey guys, Just thought id let you know that they are fixing to play the segment on SC in the next 30 mins and apparently they will show footage of the incident. I would recommend to any of you, who are not familiar with the incident or have not read the book, to tune in.
That damn tape of The Punch should be destroyed. It has to be frustrating for Rudy because people will not let it go. He let it go, why don't the people who were not involved do the same? And whats the deal with Kermit? does he blame all his percieved failures in life on that Punch? If so, thats pretty weak.
It wasn't a crime. I was a mistake. A tragedy. You're acting like if Kermit could go back in time, that he WOULD NOT TAKE IT BACK. Of course he would, if he could. But he can't.
That part about the spinal fluid always gets me. Its one of the most digsuting, shudder-inducing things I've ever heard.
What does Kermit want? He even said that punch was not premeditated, that it was an instinctive reaction kind of thing. Rudy forgave him anyways. So whats the deal? Is he saying that society is treating him like he has a scarlet letter of guilt plastered across his chest? So because of the Punch, he is not an NBA coach? Because of The Punch, he is not living the life he wants to live? Boohoo. Its nobody else fault that Kermit feels he has to live with this everyday of his life. Thats a personal issue he needs to deal with ASAP. The self guilt trip is as poisonus as anger and hatred. Being and NBA coach or affiliated with the NBA in someway is not all there is to life. It much easier in life to do like Rudy and let it all go and then go fishing.
Watching that tape, it's hard for me to agree that it was completely a 'reaction'. Regardless, Washington sounds as though he can't take full responsibility for what happened. Its as though he feels he's the victim. Until he can cope with that and accept what happened, it's going to always haunt him.
The whole incident was a tragedy. The issue with KW is as John Lucas has called him out, his answer has always been "I'm sorry, but...". Rudy shows a lot of about his character with his forgiving Kermit without needing an apology. I believe this is the key to the exorcising of his demons. KW on the otherhand is still haunted by demons that he doesn't realize are his own.
Easy, For Xmas, I suggest a dictionary. Look up the word hate. Hate takes up space and time. I love the Rox! Please scan my Rudy posts. I use examples of his inept coaching. You may not see it that way. I respect that. I understand we may not have the same vantage point. Your view may be a bit skewed. I won't run down my so called credentials because there is no big me and little you. I don't have a beef with Rudy. I've rolled with the Rox since Mo, Slick and Jackie Dorsey. Please put me on your Ignore list, I will fill much better about my life. How mature is an ignore list?
Heh heh...see. This is what I talk about... "Rudy shows a lot about his character with his forgiving Kermit..." But Kermit always says, "I'm sorry, but..." You guys are looking for a villain in this story. There is NONE. These are people! They make mistakes. Kermit has said he is sorry for the punch 1000's of times. But, noooo. You guys want him to say he's sorry for the starving people in Africa too. What about your taxes. You want him to apologize for that too? How about that traffic ticket you got recently? Huh? Stop living in the "Axis of Evil" world of we must attack the "boogie man!" It's not always cut and dry as it seems. Look between the lines.
Found this on the ESPN site, which goes along with the piece done on Sportcenter. I think Dan Patrick did a good job.... Lasting Impact By Dan Patrick Twenty-five years ago, Kermit Washington landed a right hook on Rudy Tomjanovich so grotesque that it will forever be ingrained in the minds of anyone who either witnessed it firsthand or has seen video of what happened that night. Last week, while shooting a piece for SportsCenter, I had the opportunity to spend some time with both men involved in the hit so notorious, it only needs to be referred to as The Punch. While the sting is gone, the impact lingers on. Kermit Washington lands a near-fatal punch on Rudy Tomjanovich. In all fairness to those involved, Tomjanovich was trying to break up an altercation between Washington, Kevin Kunnert and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Amidst the pushing and shoving, Tomjanovich approached Washington from behind. In a split second, Washington, a known "enforcer," saw a flash of red jersey approaching him. He turned and struck out in what he believed was self-defense against a would-be attacker. At the time, Tomjanovich thought his nose was broken, and was anxious to get back into the game and get a piece of Washington on the court. He was unaware that, in fact, his skull had been dislodged, and that the taste in his mouth was a mixture of blood and spinal fluid. Had it not been for the Lakers' medical team, Tomjanovich would have died. The ordeal was particularly difficult on Tomjanovich's family, who nearly lost a husband and a father. Tomjanovich said that his face was so disfigured his young daughters were afraid of him and towels were used to cover mirrors in an effort to conceal his own reflection. The incident is not only a brilliant case study in violence but also in black and white. Washington, an African-American, punched a white man. And in 1977, if roles were reversed, public perception of the incident may have been dramatically different. The hit most likely would have been viewed as self-defense. And Tomjanovich would not have been vilified as Washington was. Tomjanovich has gone on to become a successful NBA coach, winning two titles with the Houston Rockets. He's moved on with his life and attests that he feels no ill will toward Washington for what happened. In today's society, we make allowances for athletes who contribute to their team's success. In contrast, repercussions from The Punch have followed Washington. Unlike today's athletes, who seem to get limitless hall passes for bad behavior, there was no shot at redemption -- the "bad guy" label stuck. Since the incident, the former academic All-American has suffered through a failed marriage and a failed business, and he continues to harbor resentment. In today's society, we make allowances for athletes who contribute to their team's success. If they can produce on the court, they're rarely held accountable for bad behavior. For example, in comparison, what Latrell Sprewell did five years ago to head coach P.J. Carlesimo was far worse. What Washington did was reactionary and instinctive. Sprewell's attack was premeditated -- after his first strike, he went to the locker room to cool off, but came back out and attacked Carlesimo a second time. Now in New York, Sprewell is a productive player who has helped the Knicks win. Since the incident, he's been the model citizen. And as a result, the public sees the attack as more of an aberration than a character flaw. Washington never had the chance to vindicate himself. And now, at the age of 51, he's still waiting for his second chance. There is a lesson to be learned from that night in Los Angeles -- anything can happen in the heat of the moment. Athletes sometimes underestimate their own strength. Imagine what might have happened if Shaquille O'Neal had connected on Brad Miller a few years ago -- Shaq's got at least 100 pounds on him. And in basketball, it's not always the guy in front of you that you need to worry about, it's the guy coming from behind. In an effort to prevent future incidents, I believe that the video of The Punch should be shown to every team, in every sport, before the start of every season -- as an example of what could happen when tempers flair. Hopefully, even the toughest players will think twice before starting a fight or hitting another player. After all, the results could be deadly.
DaDakota, he did do the time and paid for the "crime". 60 day suspension and $10,000. Kermit has always told Rudy that he's sorry, without the "but".
Sorry, No one is blaming the race card for Rick Barry not getting a coaching job..... Kermit is just a whiny old man. His act is tired. DD
RM95, I agree that Kermit has paid the price, perhaps more than he should have with the realization that hes being somewhat blackballed in the NBA. The punishment (the suspension and fine) at the time were fair I think. What he has suffered afterwards, is unfair, unfortunate, but somewhat expected. However, from the standpoint of someone that is thinking of hiring him, I can understand why they wouldnt because of all the negative media attention he will bring with him (just like Kermit always says .."There is Kermit Washington. The man that almost killed Rudy Tomjanovich"). While unfair to Washington, can you really blame a team for not wanting to be associated with him? Also, I really feel that Kermit is not doing himself any favors by repeatedly relying so much on the race card and blaming Kevin Kunnert. I agree that Kunnert is a loser and an ******* no doubt. I just think he would be seen in a more favorable light and that his apology to Rudy would hold more weight if he just accepted the responsibility of his actions 100%. In the end, do you feel that if Kermit had stayed away from the race card and the blame game with Kunnert that he might have had a better shot at having a career for himself in basketball after his playing days were over?
Once again, he's not using race as a reason that he's not getting a job...he's thinks race has a lot to do with no one believing his and Kareem's version of events that night, which has led to him being blackballed by the league. I do agree, even though it's hard for him not to use the race card when you get hate mail with racial slurs in them when it first happened.
nineteen, Let me respond to you calmly and rationally for the last time by showing what you have said on this thread alone. How do the first two quotes square with the last two? You said that you didn't hate Rudy, that your only "beef" with him was his inability of coaching. How does "can't coach" make you conclude that he lied about the incident, and that he should take part of the blame for being almost punched to death when all the witnesses agree that Rudy was not intending to hit Kermit? I am not even trying to call out the countless posts in other threads where you repeatedly call Rudy a liar, an idiot, etc. How do you conclude that he is a liar from his "can't coach"? How does his coaching lead to your view about his character? I just don't get it. Contrary to your claim, your negativity about Rudy is clearly beyond his coaching. (BTW, "negativity" is an understatement. I use it because you don't like the word "hate.") There are many people on this board who don't agree with Rudy's coaching decisions. Sometimes I agree with their opinions. Sometimes I disagree. Most of the time I am not sure. But very few of these people question Rudy's character simply because they don't like his coaching. And certainly none have come close to blatantly bash his character as you frequently do. That's my beef with you. I've said that I don't like the ignore list. And it is still empty. Fair enough?
