There are more important threads out there. Something I remembered from an article I read in TSN. I wish I had remembered to bring my TSN copy to work (no e-mail at home) so I could quote the article directly (with magazine discreetly folded to one side, I guess). I find no link of this article on the TSN website. Everyone remember the boorish behavior of Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on draft night? Trashing Yao, and then, when we drafted Boki, Kenny further adding with a smirk, "I guess the Rockets didn't scout in the U.S."? Seems he didn't learn his lesson. For some reason, the NBA saw fit to have Kenny give the NBA Rookie orientation class. Kenny actually started talking about the foreign player influx in the NBA and went on to say that foreign players were just being drafted for the marquee value (selling tickets). The article mentioned how Kenny basically started turning the meeting into an us-against-them diatribe. And several foreign draftees were in attendance. During Kenny's comments, Jiri Welsch exchanges glances with Marko Jaric, exchanges glances again, then raises his hand and tells Kenny, "Look, you're insulting all of us (foreign players)," forcing Kenny to backpedal and offer an apology. Damn, Kenny, let it go. Tact, my friend: tact. U-N-I-T-Y. Save it for a less inappropriate moment: don't go on TV with it, don't try to hit the foreign players over the head with it. And a big shout-out to Jiri Welsch for throwing it back in his face.
I have to admit that Kenny was my least favorite player on the championship team. I know he hit a lot of threes in the clutch situation but sometimes he just plain sucked on the court and I couldn't wait till Cassell subbed for him. Now, I've lost respect for him as a commentator also. He really has no clue.
What a jackass. These people hatin on the foreign players are highly insecure withthemselves IMO. They know that the foreign players are taking away some of their jobs. Well how about they learn the simple art of jump shooting and passing instead of dunking over and over again.
Like those folx against Nafta . .and those jobs moving to Thailand on the real though . .. Kenny .. .I use to think he was just a jerk because of his somewhat PRO-New York stance but in his mind i guess it is NY . .. then USA Rocket River
Kenny Smith is such a jingo. Yeah, the Nachbar's, Welch's, Ginobelli, etc have the game and name recognition to sell tickets. He's such an idiot. The only reason he's an analyst is he's an ex-athlete. Of course, I think Kenny's attitude reflects those of white players when blacks were initially allowed in the league. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. Our different attitudes aren't intertwined with race, but rather the establishment (right now, black players) vs the perceived potential threat(foreigners). I think Kenny's "they gonna take our jobs" mantra isn't gonna play. I hope not. I believe in a meritocracy. May the best man win.
Yeah, I read that article on TSN this weekend. I was amazed! I mean Kenny acted luck such an ass on the NBA Draft night, I thought for sure that was a one night thing. And then for him to do this same type of speech IN FRONT of the FOREIGN players just amazes me! I am glad Jiri took him to task for his comments. You would think that David Stern would be pretty pissed at Kenny for his comments considering how hard he is trying to globalize the sport. If Kenny wants to talk about stressing fundamentals to the youths these days then I am all for it!! But don't bring this US against THEM attitude and don't be speaking all this junk about the foreign players just being here for MARKETING. They got skills Kenny! Kenny needs to stop being ignorant and xenophobic (sp?) before his TNT Thursday Nights gig starts up again. I don't want to hear his stupid comments on this subject anymore. He just makes himself look more and more like an ass by making this idiotic statements! Chris
What an idiot. Can't wait to see what he has to say when some of these foreign boys are out-producing these national boys by a mile. Probly nothing. Oh, and his ugly head seems to be getting bigger each year. Give it up Kenny, you can't even hang with Justin freakin Timberlake.
Good one Smokey I think Kenny's just not taking to the fact that OUR game is being taken over by foreigners. Basketball has been dominate by Americans and now all these Europeans and even Asians are coming here. I actually like this and hopefully Kenny will realize it's because they can play, not because they can sell tickets. The whole reason why Europeans have been coming in more and more now is because they are supposed to be more fundamentally sound, better coached, etc. Now what sells tickets? Hmm, nasty dunks and flashy passes and handles. Let's see, which players do most of that? Why has American basketball been watered down? Because all the kids in HS and such focus more on that crap then having an all-around game. I know it's not the case everywhere, so don't go there heyp, BUT watch the top HS prospects anywhere in the nation and see if you don't notice. The All-Americans are babied by their AAU coaches and can do whatever the hell they want. IT's all about the show, and it is killing basketball here. THAT is why Europeans are coming more and more every year. Look for another year with players impacting the league again.
I'm surprised he said all he did about forign players. He was at my school about a month ago running some clinic for a pro team from Europe.
Kenny Smith is a joke period. And when the hell did he get the nickname "the Jet", cause I don't recall that being his nickname. Smith is lame, and on last year's draft night he was a straight up jerk (as were other commentators) because a foreign player was the first pick. As for CB, well he was, is, and will always be outspoken, but he's the Charles we've all grown to know and admire. The case in point is simple, and has been stated previously, the high school players today are pampered, are not taught to have a complete game, to just dunk, and take the easy points. They find one dimension of the game and exploit it to their advantage. The foreign teams play team ball. Thats why they succeeded at the World Championship games. High school ballers are told their going to be stars on the next level and there is no need for them to play college ball and miss out on NBA millions. Until this problem is resolved, we'll continue to see foreign players picked in the lottery of the draft.
It's Kenny "The Jet" Smith. Does it really matter what his opinion is? I mean, he has 2 rings because of a foreigner.
The big really isn't "What's wrong with the Kenny Smith", but "Who's in charge of hiring for the NBA." Seriously, there are som any people to choose from and they select someone whose sole redeeming attribute in remaining in relation to basketball is the humor he adds to the games as a commentator?
Very true. Just riding the back of Hakeem. And now talking all this **** about foreigners... It's sad in his case we had to BEG for him to shoot the damn ball...
I find this funny too. Is Kenny the only athlete to get his "nickname" AFTER he retired? I never heard that nickname until he was on TNT broadcasting games. I think he gave himself that nickname! LOL Chris P.S. I am not totally bashing Kenny, he is alright and I am glad for the role he played for the Rockets in helping them win championships but sometimes he just puts his foot in his mouth!
It was kinda funny on draft night when David Stern walked to the podium and addressed Barkley (who had been helping Kenny bash the foreigners all night) with, "Charles, if I remember correctly, you didn't speak English too well when you came into the league." Or something like that. 'T'was priceless.
