[Chron] Rockets' guard Alston apologizes for DWI arrest

haha i seem to notice that alston never runs into the law during the season...which is a good thing...means he can control his mind for basketball

 

rusty hardins involvement really doesn't bode well

 

How many games suspension from Stern?

 

apologies through an attorney are lame

 

That's simply not true, first off a "DUI" in Tx is a Class C offense for people under the age of 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. We have DWI in TX and the law explicitly prohibits deferred adjudication on DWIs, you can't get one on a DWI period - that's not the DA's office policy, that's not because the judges are being strict, it's the law (interestingly enough you can get a deferred on murder, but not on DWI - interesting how much power MADD has)

A first offender DWI is a regular Class B misdemeanor in most regards (except there is a minimum amount of jail time - 3 days). Which means it carries up to 6 months in the county jail and a $2000. However, it is rare that people get jail time on a first offense - but to say it's not a jailable offense is simply not true.

For those who keep talking about the "legal limit", understand that is not the only way to prove intoxication. In Texas there are 3 ways someone is legally intoxicated, having a BAC of .08 or over at the time of driving, having lost the normal use of mental faculties, or having lost the normal use of physical faculties. If it wasn't for the last two methods, you could never prosecute someone who refuses to blow. And for the record, despite the fact that .08 is the BAC limit in this state and most (if not all other) states, studies have shown that most people lose their "normal use" at .05.

 

Absolutely. He put himself, other people at risk. Further more, he damages the Rockets brand, attracts trouble and bad press, all of which translates to the bottom line. Finally, he let his teammates down - we aren't just a team playing ball - our team is competing for a ring. You can't have these kinds of lapses in judgement. It risks everything.

10 games for sure. Rockets need to show that they take drinking and driving very seriously.

 

We would lose at least 5 of those, mind.

 

Care to back that up with some links to these so called studies? And dont waste youre time if the "most people" used in these studies are not youre average drinkers.

 

Wow pretty bold statement considering you dont really know any of the facts about the incident! Judging by youre post I would say you should never be on a jury. First becuase you obviously pre judge people before knowing all the facts and secondly because a jury is supposed to be made up of youre peers, wich you obviously are not.

 

Well, good thing you aren't our gm or commisioner. Your suspension isn't even in line with how the league governs it's players. It's ridiculous

 

Maybe Rafer, Carmelo and the other DWIers will be featured in the new drunk street ball "And .08 Mix tape"

 

Sweet Lou 4 2 = Jose de Jesus Ortiz?

 

I hope Alston doesn't make stupid decisions like this again, It is clearly unacceptable for a basketball player, luckily last year the PG had a logjam and Alston was shining in the training camp and in the pre-season I think he should be able to do that again.

 

The fact is he was determined to be DUI. Lights off and weaving. And he acted belligrent.

This has nothing to do with his court appearance or a jury, the Rockets have a right to suspend him regardless of the outcome of the case.

I am tired of athletes setting such horrid examples for kids.

 

I don't really about this issue, but hey if you're going to make a comment like that - I know that NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminitration - the governmental organization that standardizes and validated the field sobriety tests as well as pushed for the reduced limit from .08 to .10) is the organization who brought those stuides forward.

Moreover, many countries throughout the world including Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, The Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey imploy the .05 standard. If you want to go read the Chmaberlain and Solomon report (http://www.madd.ca/english/research/point5limit.PDF) in regards to the issue you're more the welcome to read it and poke holes in it for yourself. That's just one of the reports on the issue.

 

I actually laughed at this. You honestly think he should be suspended for 10 or more games without him being convicted of anything? That's ridiculous.

Athletes aren't good role models. Just the way it is. Accept it or don't support them. You're way to emotionally invested in this. Drunking and driving is dumb. No rational person would say otherwise. That's why there are laws, rules, penalties, ect...... I hope you never serve on a jury though. Your comment about not waiting to find out whether someone is guilty or innocent is ridiculous. You're also a poor role model if you instill those same beliefs in your children.

 

We'll just have to respectfully disagree than. I think Rafer has shown repeated problems with alcohol and this isn't the first time it's landed him in trouble with the law.

It's ridiculous that some players get cut or waived for "minor" problems where as if you are a star you won't be - it sends a terrible message. And yes, Athletes are role models like it or not. Why do you think steroids is such a big deal?

this isn't about laws or anything, it's about sports and how people who make so much money behave. They are public figures, and in fact celebrities. They make their money off of people wanting to see them play.

And the employer makes the money the same way. So I can't say what other clubs do or what standard they place, but drinking and driving is deadly, it;s not just dumb, it's playing russian roulette with other people's lives.

Is that the right kind of player for the Rockets? I mean, even Artest running into the fans and punching someone has far less potential consequences.

 

I would take Jamal Tinsley all day for Rafer. Better finisher at the rim and gives Rafer fits.

 

That's fine. I can respectfully disagree.

I'm aware of the double standards that go on (not just in pro sports) but in many walks of life. Like I said, it's just the way it is and it's not going to change.

I'm also aware that athletes and celebrities are role models to many. The fact remains that they are going to do stupid things, make mistakes, ect.... and those mistakes are going to to amplified because of their status. If you got a DWI nobody would know about it. It goes both ways. Their mistakes will always be in the media. You have to remember they are normal people too. They are going to screw up, have problems,ect...

The other incident involving alcohol was a PI for an argument. That's hardly a signifigant offense. He has not showed "repeated problems with alcohol" as you suggest. He has also made other mistakes but he isn't a bad guy. He did something stupid and a court will decide his punishment.

Really on Artest? That started a near riot that could have led to serious injuries to anyone near. That makes no sense whatsoever. I'm not condoning the DWI but I certainly don't think running into the stands and punching fans is a good choice. It had really bad potential consequences but thankfully nobody was really injured. The police did a very good job in that instance. Just like we are lucky Rafer didn't injure anyone while deciding to get behind the wheel drinking.

 

Well, the Pacers offered him to everyone and not a single team had interest.