How in the world do they enforce that..............gonna put his picture up at each arena before the game. "Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to tonight's NBA game, before we begin if this man is sitting next to you, please raise your hand and we will escort him out. And for your help you will get an autographed picture of the mascot.........."
That is RIDICULOUS.....he has a right to be a biggot....what happened to free speech? I think the guy is an A$$ for saying what he did, but banned for a year.....That is harsh. When Vernon Maxwell - went into the stands and punched a guy he didn't get banned for a year. When Barkley SPIT on the little girl in the front row, he didn't get banned for a year. That is just silly. DD
I love it when people try to apply the "free speech" argument to private arenas. If you come into my house and start running your mouth talking nonsense, I'll kick your butt to the curb. The NBA has the right to do the same.
What? Give me a break. He's a damn biggot and he got what he deserved. If you asked me, they should have slapped a 5 year or more. Yes....for calling a black man a monkey...it's racial and no one deserves that kinda of abuse. I guess you have to have had some run in with discrimination before to understand completely that it's about as wrong as it gets.
This is a gray area, because they SELL access to the house to the general public, thus making it a public gathering. DD
Naw actually, if someone comes into my house and start running their mouth talking whole bunch of ****, I'll just pull out my .45 and bang! Anyone trespassing into your house, you have the right to bust a cap on them. BANG!
If he wants to practice bigoted free speach he should get a blog or write an op-ed piece. Other than that they should ban his A--
Bang? Bang! Yes, bang. Silk-shirted doofuses who talk **** from the safety of their high-priced seats finally lost one.
What about a store owner (whether it's Macy's or your local deli shop) who also allow access to the general public? I'm sure they have the right to set rules, too. It's accessible to the general public, but it's still a private establishment. I'm sure the guy got his money back, too. Anyhow, it does seem harsh to me, especially since he has apologized. Maybe the league just isn't buying the his claim of ignorance. On the other hand, why wasn't Jason Williams banned for a year for using a racial slur against an Asian fan?
He has a right to pay for a ticket to see a game. He does not have a right to buy a ticket and harass anyone. Good for the NBA. Also, I would guess they are obtaining restraining orders or something to enforce this? Or what then?
you are absolutely right, they should have banned that idiot who insulted Vernon's family. ..lifetime ban
you know the guy did apologize personally to mutombo and claimed that he was not aware of the racial implications of that word I said it was harsh considering if his apology and claim of ingnorance of the word being racial is sincere and honest and besides, I said it was too harsh.. I did not say what he did was not wrong or he did not deserve some kind of punishment
Ball players generate A LOT more money for the league than an easily replaceable fan... may seem unjust, but its the harsh reality of it. Personally, I think it should have been left up to Mutombo after the apology to ban the guy or not. But with the guys attitude -- threatening to sue the league/Mutombo and arrogant "wait until I talk to my lawyers" threats -- it is not surprising at all to see the NBA make an example of this guy.
Free speach means you will not get any criminal charges based on what you said. But that doesn't mean what you said won't cause any consequences. For example an alien can openly make any pro-terrorism remarks as you wish without the possibility of being throw into jail, however, this country certainly has the right to kick you ass out. NBA can do the same. They can kick anybody's ass out of the stadium as long as it's not based on race, gender, etc.
