Marcus Smart loses his mind in Lubbock and shoves a fan.

Yeah, keep saying that.

I'm sure they didn't hire black coaches to help rehabilitate their image a bit.

Not that Lubbock is unique.

Smart has had a frustrating year and has reacted poorly at best. Unfortunately the "go back to Africa!" was the gasoline on the smoldering embers.

I don't condone what Marcus Dumb did. But the reaction from the mouthy comments of that (borrowing from and amending "A Fish Called Wanda) "pompous, stuck-up, snot-nosed, redneck, giant, twerp, scumbag, f***-face, d***head a**hole" of a fan is gonna follow this kid around forever. And that's a shame.

 

If it was a younger person, he probably would have threw some punches. He still have respect for the elderly

So, unless this is a recurring pattern, not a big deal. Dude is only 19 and still a kid.

 

LOL, if a few words can unhinge you enough to where it possibly cost your team a game, than yes, you are MENTALLY WEAK.

I haven't been called that, nor do I care. I grew up in a nice neighborhood north of Houston. Our president is black, I assumed racism wasn't a big deal anymore. African Americans make up over 50% of the homicides in the US, and I have several black friends. Who cares.

 

That women probably hears the guy beside her talk trash the entire game and then gets upset with the fruit that it bears. Faux outrage at best.

My wife, son, and I was at a college bball game in December. We were right behind the visitors bench. A fine fellow (30 something and clearly not a student) a row over from us yelled the entire game at the visitor's bench. I was surprised that he was not escorted out of the building. I also had to have an ongoing conversation with my son about how much of an asshat that person was.

I guess part of the dynamic was the asshat knew that the world class athletes that he was trash talking could not go into stands looking for a little "street justice".

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Metta World Peace said it's good Marcus Smart learned his lesson at young age before getting to NBA regarding fan incident.</p>&mdash; Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYPost_Berman/statuses/432564296745115649">February 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Metta World Peace talked about the Marcus Smart situation this morning. It was interesting and hilarious: <a href="http://t.co/1lN2e0M77J">http://t.co/1lN2e0M77J</a></p>&mdash; Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/statuses/432567621976723456">February 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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You obviously. Lol

 

This fat guy will always be a nobody, but Smart has his whole future ahead of him. That wasn't very smart.

 

My short take on this is that just about everyone involved is an idiot. No winners here.

Longer take:

1) I think some in the media are making a bigger deal about this incident than it needs to be. It's not comparable to Ron Artest or even Vernon Maxwell. Although to be fair, AFAIK this kind of altercation is unprecedented in college basketball.

2) Because he's in college and not the pros (the average college student is pretty immature), I have slightly more sympathy for Smart, but nevertheless Smart should not have reacted in the way he did. Period. He's not a professional yet but he will be very soon. He needs to grow thicker skin, control his emotions better and let insults roll off his back. Even racist or otherwise blatantly offensive comments. Being "in the heat of the moment" emotionally is not an acceptable excuse.

3) #2 isn't just referring to last night's incident but his other outburst(s) earlier in the season. Smart seems to have some inner demons he needs to deal with.

4) Assuming Orr said something racist or vulgar to Smart, the proper cool-headed response would have been for Smart to point out Orr to an usher or an official, in which if they do their jobs properly they'd have Texas Tech security promptly escort Orr out. Issue resolved. The cancer would've been excised and likely banned from X number of future games, Smart would not have been T-d up, he wouldn't be facing suspension, life goes on, and Oklahoma State might just have won that game.

5) Smart needs to be suspended at least 3 to 5 games. I think the Big 12 commish will come down hard on him. Make it clear not only to Marcus Smart but ALL student-athletes that this kind of behavior is not okay. It's one thing to get violent with another player or even a ref. Getting that way with a fan, even one as presumably douchey as Orr, is a whole different ballgame.

6) Assuming Orr said something racist or vulgar (I suspect he did), he should be banned from attending Texas Tech games (home or road) for the rest of the season. Due to the scope of said banishment, that decision may need to be made by the Big 12 office. Then, once he's allowed to return, prevent him from having a seat anywhere near the court, and have an usher keep an eye on him. Make it clear to adult fans and students that they can't just say or do anything and expect to get away with it. It's OK to be a bit rowdy or heckle a bit, but there's a line that shouldn't be crossed. Of course though, many fans are or were recently drinking so they aren't gonna have complete self-control.

7) I've heard elsewhere that because the "surrounding people" didn't react in shock to what Orr said...that means what whatever he said wasn't that bad. I don't buy that argument. My understanding is that Orr is one of the most well-known longtime Tech fans, if not the most. Many of the people sitting/standing around him are likely season ticket holders themselves and probably know Orr personally (friends, family, etc.)...or they're just accustomed to the way he acts. Hell, some of them are probably pretty unscrupulous themselves. That lady standing next to Orr comes to mind.

8) The truth will come out soon regarding what Orr said. There were media people with cameras within earshot. They'll talk.

9) Oklahoma State has lost a lot of games lately and I think that has contributed to Smart's recent outbursts. It's normal (and good) to not take losing well, but still - being a loser doesn't give a player carte blanche to just act like a fool.

10) Regarding his NBA draft stock - I don't think this will hurt Smart's draft stock much, if at all. We're not talking about a football quarterback here. Demarcus Cousins had some attitude and emotional issues during his stay at Kentucky (albeit nothing near as bad as shoving a fan) and he still got drafted top 5.

11) I've heard that Travis Ford's (OSU coach) seat is already warm if not hot. Smart's altercation may lead to the powers-that-be and the fanbase in Stillwater to turn up the heat on Ford a bit more.

 

Doug Gottlieb ✔ @GottliebShow
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Text convo from my Tech friend w/Orr- Orr is Tech's biggest fan-everyone knows him, he goes to every game
12:08 AM - 9 Feb 2014

 

Doug Gottlieb ✔ @GottliebShow
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"wasn't vulgar or the N Word" another text from Orr - #MarcusSmart
12:12 AM - 9 Feb 2014

 

Is this meant to be satirical? I just...

 

You clearly don't understand the context. First, the guy did not "flick him off". That is clear from the video.

The gesture was mocking one of A&Ms "yell signals" called "BTHO".

 

After reading these comments, white people will never understand. Some of you guys opinions are ridiculous.

 

The lady pointing at Smart after he shoved the guy is kinda funny. Her reaction was similar to something you'd expect from the 3rd grade tattletale.

It would have been better for Smart to walk away, obviously. However, I've never liked the fact that fans can yell almost anything at the players and the players just have to accept it. The away team is just there to play a game, so be a fan by cheering or booing but don't make it personal. Fans can demonstrate poor sportsmanship, too. If that guy had said whatever he said to someone on the street, he'd probably have gotten a lot worse than a shove, but since those guys are in uniform he feels entitled. He deserved to get a broken nose, IMO.

 

I don't really believe that for a second; the fact that he's willing to screenshot the first part and not this one doesn't make it very convincing; heck, looking at Smart's reaction alone should tell you that he crossed the line.

Another source directly contradicts him:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Radio analyst John Holcomb confirms what he said on air: He heard Marcus Smart say the fan called him the n-word.</p>&mdash; Kelly Hines (@KellyHinesTW) <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHinesTW/statuses/432396350114627584">February 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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What the heck? Is this real? If it is, you have some more learning to do

 

Yes..

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>FWIW: I have a hard time believing a man who drives thousands of miles to Texas Tech basketball games would ever show bad judgment.</p>&mdash; Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomFornelli/statuses/432397986069352449">February 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I think some people hang on to the racist card a little too much. Words are words. I got called some nasty things when I played for my AAU squad(I am white). It flat out doesn't bother me. I still will not understand why black people get offended by the "N Word", yet call each other it all the time?


I work in a company where black males are in managerial positions(aka my bosses). I don't see racism, because it really isn't prevalent anymore. People are different now in my opinion.

 

Learn what? I am not a racist, but statistical evidence suggest that most homicides in the US are caused by black people yet they make up less than 20% of our country. Do these facts bother you?

Quite frankly, some people are a little too sensitive for this day and age. I don't have a racist bone in my body, but I am realistic.