Tupac once said "*****h" were the "guys hanging out in the club with gold rope around their neck" and "nig-gERS" were "the ones hanging on a tree by a rope". Or something the like
Totally agree. Growing up, I've been on both sides of this issue. If someone called me that, regardless of their race, I'd be offended. There is an awful history behind that word and its presence in today's lexicon doesn't need to be perpetuated -- regardless of the speaker's intent. By the same token, I find it just as offensive when other races or ethnicities are disparaged, whether it be calling a caucasion a 'cracker' and 'redneck' or a hispanic a 'spic'. Understand, it would be easy for me (just like most of us) not to care what another race is called. That way we wouldn't really care until the fight was brought to our doorstep. But that wouldn't be consistent would it. And in order for us to have some sort of societal credibility to try to change this thing for our kids and our kids' kids, consistency across the board is needed. And I notice many times it comes from speakers of the target's own race. An example would be, say, Jim Rome. His takes on 'necks, hillbillies, and southerners in general are readily accepted...probably because he too is white and it's looked at as more of a racial self-deprecating thing. Miles acted like a punk. An ignorant punk. There is a right way to deal with people and a wrong way. Miles chose the wrong way.
Honestly I applaud Cheeks; Iron will restraint I thought he might beat the sh*t out of darius .. . Mo Cheeks ain't no punk and if he 'took to the streets' Miles. .would feel like he been drug through miles of razor blades into an alcohol bath which would be what he needs anyway Rocket River
You don't say?!? Shock, horror! I didn't imply that or make a blanket statement along those lines that would deserve the patronizing statement you replied with. I DID say that Miles calling Cheeks a UT has a lot more cache and would hit a little harder than Miles calling him the N-word. Now that we know about Miles yelling "That's right, run to your daddy" as Cheeks left the taperoom to head towards GM John Nash's office.
How the hell did Miles get a 6 year, 48m deal? He's a freaking 10-5 guy who hasn't done anything since High School.
Interesting ... looks like the Blazers atleast considered giving Miles his salary during the suspension (plus interest). Man that franchise is in trouble, desperately in need of a clean slate with quality guys. http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf?/base/sports/1107953730178950.xml Blazers' most unsettling idea yet A document shows the team has at least considered repaying Darius Miles lost wages -- plus interest -- for his suspension Wednesday, February 09, 2005 Canzano: Covering for players sends wrong message D isappointment reached a new low Tuesday at One Center Court. A private document was obtained by The Oregonian, leaving a basketball franchise naked, and maybe, too, tearing down all that remained of the Trail Blazers' 25-point pledge. Remember the pledge? It included words such as "character" and "accountability." It had phrases such as "quick and authoritative action." And it promised to address the franchise highs and lows in a "clear, straightforward" manner. Think about that while I tell you about the document. It's a typed but unsigned proposal between the Blazers and forward Darius Miles, who recently directed a series of racial slurs and other insults at his coach. The document, dated Jan. 28, is a two-page contract drafted by a Blazers attorney. And it's titled, "SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE." According to the contract, Miles agrees to withdraw the grievance he has filed against the Blazers for his recent two-game suspension and not to sue. In return, the Blazers agree to repay Miles $150,000 in lost wages because of his suspension. Oh, also, get this: The Blazers agree to pay Miles interest on his $150,000. If this is true, Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks said, "I might as well pack my bags." And I'm wondering today if maybe it's time for the rest of us to pack up and move on, too. When asked Tuesday about the document, Blazers president Steve Patterson said it doesn't exist. When asked how it was possible then that I had it in my hand, Patterson fell silent. Patterson later said the Blazers are "taking money out of (Miles') paycheck and sending it to the league like we're supposed to do." But what we're more interested in is whether a settlement with Miles was proposed or seriously discussed. And Patterson said the team has "discussed" a lot of things. Miles' agent, Jeff Wechsler, said there isn't a settlement in place. Also, Patterson said of the proposed settlement, "That's not my plan." But when asked to explain the document, an angry-sounding Wechsler wanted to know where The Oregonian obtained an unsigned copy. "Who's your source?" he asked, as if it matters. What matters isn't the "where," but the "why." As in, why don't the Blazers get it? So, is there a settlement in place? Has one been offered to Miles? Or did the rest of us just burst in and interrupt an ongoing negotiation between player and club? There are three league grievances open against the Blazers -- by Dale Davis, Vladimir Stepania and Qyntel Woods. Maybe the franchise was trying to avoid a fourth. Nobody but the parties involved know whether a settlement was signed and executed. But it's not a stretch to say that the Blazers probably wouldn't have dispatched their attorney to draft a proposal that they didn't view as, at least, an option. Which makes this flat disappointing. And it has to make you wonder what's really going on. And also, you probably have to question whether the team is interested in actual change or just the appearance of change. It's no secret that the Blazers operate in fear. Instead of simply doing the right thing, the sensible thing, they react by licking a finger and sticking it in the air in an attempt to gauge public sentiment. They're trying to re-brand the franchise and even printed company literature -- a bound, hardcover book titled "We are Trail Blazers" -- that defines who they are. So, who are they, really? Because everyone knows actions speak. And psychologists will tell you it's ridiculous to continue to demonstrate the same behaviors over and over while expecting different results. I'm going to point out a couple of recent minor events that become relevant and revealing with the sudden appearance of this document. Consider that Miles recently stopped for gas near the Blazers' practice facility. He filled his tank. But his credit card was declined. And he had no cash on him. "That's the first time that's ever happened," Miles said. Miles went with his first inclination, left his credit card at the station and called the Blazers from the road. And the team immediately dispatched an employee from the practice facility to drive to the gas station to pay the bill. Case closed, I guess. Also, on Tuesday, forward Zach Randolph was honored in a ceremony for his $47,650 donation to Portland Parks and Recreation. It was a generous gesture. And a nice enough ceremony. But what you don't know is that Randolph's donation check bounced -- twice. Rather than risk a public-relations nightmare, which would have occurred the moment Parks and Recreation went public looking for a new donor, the Blazers took care of the payment. They got involved in fixing Randolph's problem. They called his agent. They called the bank. The Blazers eventually deducted the donation from Randolph's paycheck and wired the money to Parks and Recreation. Case closed, I guess. Team officials insist these kinds of things happen with every NBA team. And maybe they sometimes do. But you have to wonder if the franchise isn't busy conditioning the players to be irresponsible and unaccountable. Even as both situations were resolved, didn't the franchise reinforce the wrong behaviors? That's why this proposed settlement becomes important. Because if it was seriously considered by the Blazers, it makes the public out to be a fool. As if the illusion of swift punishment combined with a secret $150,000 kickback to Miles would satisfy everyone. The Blazers, not the public, signed Miles to a six-year contract. The Blazers, not the public, also gave Randolph a six-year deal. And the Blazers, not the public, selected Miles, the actor, as the key figure in their marketing campaign. But the Blazers did those things only after carefully measuring public opinion. Miles since has been replaced by Joel Przybilla in a key Blazers marketing campaign. And don't think that you, the public, didn't play a role in picking that one, too. The idea of a settlement is disappointing, for sure. But maybe it's a blessing that the document went public. Because you're going to form your own opinion about this one, and it's you that the Blazers want to please. Man, if only they knew how.
That is truly pathetic...Why did Miles get a contract like that...He's an ok player, not worth the $$$
Man I should apply for a position with the Blazers as a GM. I would trade away everyone (firesale anyone?) and rebuild that franchise from the ground up. The culture over there sucks.. I dont know if it starts with the GM or the owner. but it's trickling down and out.. I nominate myself "room4rentsf" as new GM for the Trailblazers. I would move all the old school Blazers and rebuild. Patterson / Randolph / Stoudamire / Van Excel are gone and I hope I can pick up alot of young players and/or picks. resign and rebuild around SAR as my PF Ratliff as my C and hope I luck out in the draft. J
The Blazers are one giant mess. Their players can't seem to stay out of trouble for some reason. They traded Sheed and Wells trying to change their image, then Patterson decides to slap his wife around, Zach Randolph gets busted with dope, DMiles starts acting like a little b$%#$, and well, who knows if Stoudamire is still blazing. Next thing you know, their new Korean rookie is gonna get busted for male prostitution.
Blazers to pay back Miles for suspension? What a bizarre story. If this is true, then I don't blame Cheeks one bit for wanting to quit. link requires registration Blazers may pay back Miles for suspension; Cheeks leaving? 12:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 10, 2005 By ABE ESTIMADA / KGW.com PORTLAND - The fallout from the suspension of Blazer forward Darius Miles continued this week, with an Oregonian newspaper columnist reporting that the organization is considering a settlement that would pay Miles the money he lost -- including interest – for sitting out two games. The proposed settlement also appears to undermine coach Maurice Cheeks, who told the newspaper that if the document is true, he might leave the job. It was Cheeks who was the target of a racial epithet that Miles used during an argument in January. The remarks led to the two-game suspension. In addition to the suspension, Miles lost $150,000 in pay. But on Wednesday, Oregonian columnist John Canzano reported that the newspaper had obtained a proposed contract drawn up by the Blazers’ lawyer. The contract proposes that the Blazers pay Miles the lost money, while Miles drops his grievance against the team. In his column, Canzano questioned how this proposed contract would reflect on the team’s so-called “25 point pledge” to uphold character among the Blazer players. Video Watch KGW report on Blazer controversy “I think this sets you back,” Canzano told KGW. “I don’t think you can operate like this because now, in the public’s mind, I think you’re wondering, how many other times have they made a deal or considered a deal? I think it’s the consideration that bothers me and disappoints more than anything.” When Canzano approached Cheeks about the proposed contract, the coach said, “I might as well pack my bags.” Cheeks on Wednesday would not comment about the column to KGW. Blazers’ president Steve Patterson would not speak to KGW on camera but did issue a statement that was posted on the organization’s Web site later in the day. “Today there is a disturbing allegation in the newspaper that we have not been standing by our pledge to hold our players accountable for their behavior,” Patterson said. “That allegation is flat out unfair and not true. Ever since I arrived here in Portland, my actions, from rehabilitating Damon (Stoudamire), to trading (Rasheed) Wallace and (Bonzi) Wells and waiving Qyntel Woods have clearly demonstrated our commitment to restoring pride in this franchise and holding our entire organization accountable.” “An isolated piece of information regarding our dealings with Darius Miles is being used to paint a very negative picture,” he continued. “I can tell you that there is a much larger context to our ongoing conversations, which occur every day with players, coaches, the union, agents and staff.” “These conversations are complex and intense and take many twists and turns. Rest assured that the outcome will be in alignment with our stated values. It is impossible to run this team effectively if we have to discuss the details of every conversation publicly. All we ask is that you judge us on the totality of what we have done since I arrived here."
