NY Daily News: JVG, CD wanted Ward, but Les overruled

Is it just me, or is Les Alexander becomming more and more of a cheap-skate everyday??

 

Had nothing to do with money. He didn't like Ward's views on Jews.

 

You trust this guy to report on religion and Charlie Ward vs. Les Alexander?

 

Not disagreeing on Less being cheap, but that's not why he didn't want Ward, according to the article.

 

..."Used his noodle?"

"At least one New York point guard used his noodle when it came to having a chance to play with Tim Duncan. Charlie Ward did what Jason Kidd should have done. He took the offer from the Spurs, rather than sign with the Nets. Some Nets players said privately that they wanted no part of Ward. But why would he want them? In San Antonio, he gets to play with a real big man with rings, Duncan. Incidentally, Jeff Van Gundy and Rockets GM Carroll Dawson wanted Ward, but were overruled by owner Les Alexander, who isn't crazy about Ward's controversial fundamentalist views. "

 

sigh..... wtg les

lol

 

So, Les doesn't want an anti-semite on the team. I have no problem with that.

 

Good for Les, Ward is not all that great anyway, and I like what Wilks is doing out there.

DD

 

If true, then I give Les credit for standing up for his principles.

 

I have no problem with us not getting him. If article is true on Les's reason to not go after Ward, then I have no problem whatsoever.

 

Lets get one thing straight though... Ward is not an anti-semite. Just because you are a devout Christian doesn't mean you dislike jews. If the report is true, then Alexander is the one being irrational and discriminatory.

But if I were Ward I'd go to the Spurs too. They have a realistic shot at winning a title this year. The Rockets do not.

 

AB 12,
Have you forgotten the negative comments by Ward a couple years back regarding Jews? Ward is an antisemite.

 

That's very disappointing to me. Ward was a guy that could really have helped us out. Les didn't even talk to him. Yeah, he said really dumb things. He's been re-educated. If JVG could vouch for that, Les should have been the bigger man.

 

I respect Les if this is why we didn't get Ward, although maybe Ward thought SA was just a better spot. I won't think much of Les if we end up letting that exception expire. That would be a bigger deal to me. I don't think Ward was going to make or break the rest of our season, anyway.

 

What was it that he exactly said? I'm thinking that maybe it was blown out of proportion.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0420/1176451.html

Ward says comments taken out of context

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press


NEW YORK – Facing criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, New York Knicks guard Charlie Ward said he didn't mean to offend anybody with comments he made about Jews.


Ward


In an article being published in this weekend's New York Times magazine, Ward said Jews are "stubborn" and persecute members of their faith who become Christians.

"The writer took it out of context," Ward said Friday. "I didn't mean to offend any one group because that's not what I'm about. I have friends that are Jewish; actually my best friend is a Jewish guy, and his name is Jesus Christ."

In the article, Ward and several of his teammates took part in a Bible study class prior to a game against Milwaukee and questioned the author, who is Jewish, about the Old Testament, cultural identity and dietary laws.

Ward is quoted as saying: "Jews are stubborn. Tell me, why did they persecute Jesus unless he knew something they didn't want to accept? They had his blood on their hands."

Knicks guard Allan Houston is described as pulling out a Palm Pilot and indexing a passage from the Bible. "Matthew 26, Verse 67. Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit his with their fists."

Ward continued on, according to the article: "There are Christians getting persecuted by Jews every day. There's been books written about this -- people who are raised Jewish and find Christ, and then their parents stop talking to them."

The Anti-Defamation League, an organization founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism, issued a statement accusing Ward and Houston of religious bigotry.

"In blaming the death of Jesus on Jews and accusing Jews of persecuting Christians, they have revived the historic myths which have been the source of anti-Semitism for centuries," said the statement from ADL director Abraham Foxman. "Unfortunately, Mr. Ward's explanation of his comments shows he just doesn't get it."

This is the second time in a month that the Knicks have been involved in a religious controversy.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy objected to religion being brought into the workplace in the form of pregame chapel and postgame prayer meetings. He also complained about the amount of time the team pastor gets to spend with his players.

Knicks president Dave Checketts met with Ward, Houston and Kurt Thomas on Friday to discuss this latest incident.

"While we understand from our players that what they said was taken out of context, we find their comments, as quoted, objectionable," Checketts said.

 

Thank you Les, we don't need bigots on the team.

 

Seems less like an anti-semitic remark to me than a proof of a lack of education and intelligence.