Noah fined 50K for gay slur

[Finkelskyhook]

 I am a certified HS official, obviously much different then the NBA, but for me, it's completely inappropriate for me to talk to the players and it's inappropriate for them to have conversations with me.  

This is a fantastic point, MBz.  The sad part is that the league sees all of these problems and addresses them with symbolism over substance.

Remember when the directive came forth that flopping was going to be addressed??  LOL

Remember when the directive came forth that players arguing calls was going to be addressed??  LOL

The league sees the real problems and addresses them with lip service.  

The fans see the profane interractions on the court and follow the example of the players and coaches.  Heckling the same stuff they're hearing...Occasionally, a player....Both hardened and arrogant from engaging in the language constantly, responds to a fan.  

It starts from the top.  If Stern and the NBA compromises their integrity with this obvious directive to officiate to keep stars on the court at any cost, frustration will continue to trickle down.  The two calls I saw last night were more appropriate in a Globetrotters-Generals game.  By not addressing player/coach/official interractions, Stern is essentially putting his officials in the line of fire of the players, coaches, and fans.  The fans see the interraction and follow suit.  Stern is essentially sanctioning what Noah and Bryant said by not controlling the discourse on the court...And then acting exhasperated when it happens.

  

[mostofusrsad]

I must be in the minority here, but i liked the way basketball was played in the 80's...i liked the genuine dislike between teams like the celtics/lakers and the other rivalaries that sometimes boiled over into fights and verbal insults...now the nba, nhl and all the other sports are so politically correct and businesslike that it has taken the genuineness out of it for me...these players are just collecting paychecks and don't seem to care as much.

[Chelm]

I must be in the minority here, but i liked the way basketball was played in the 80's...i liked the genuine dislike between teams like the celtics/lakers and the other rivalaries that sometimes boiled over into fights and verbal insults...now the nba, nhl and all the other sports are so politically correct and businesslike that it has taken the genuineness out of it for me...these players are just collecting paychecks and don't seem to care as much.

I think you can blame Kermit Washington for some of the changes.  That wasn't one of the high points of the NBA.

[mostofusrsad]

I must be in the minority here, but i liked the way basketball was played in the 80's...i liked the genuine dislike between teams like the celtics/lakers and the other rivalaries that sometimes boiled over into fights and verbal insults...now the nba, nhl and all the other sports are so politically correct and businesslike that it has taken the genuineness out of it for me...these players are just collecting paychecks and don't seem to care as much.

I think you can blame Kermit Washington for some of the changes.  That wasn't one of the high points of the NBA.

well these things do happen...most of the brawls wound up with nobody gettng hurt too bad, but it sure was entertaining and made me think these guys really cared...

[Bahku]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness across the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

[Chris]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

[Chelm]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

I agree with this whole-heartedly.

[Bahku]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

[twinbree]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

I agree the NBA needs a whole lot more consistency in this area like it does in every other one as the rules are applied differently depending on the player. But I do think profanity is different from slurs in that the profanity is offensive to the person it is directed at and people within hearing who take exception to it. The slur on the other hand is more offensive because it insults a group of people.

So I think a distinction should be made and I can see why the league would be harder on derogatory slurs. What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

[Finkelskyhook]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word.  

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

First of all, Los Nash is anything but a role model. Other than courageous, the most overused word in the English vocabulary is "classy".  He's a classless aroogant pompous jerk.  But to say Garnett doesn't get the same treatment from officials is a joke.  Every game I've been to that Garnett is playing....You can hear him from the second deck.  They're equally disgusting with their language.

Not only is how language dealt with selective....It's also incremental because of how it's not dealt with.  mostofusrsad makes a great point.  The game was genuine when the players policed themselves and the officials were allowed to officiate.  Now it looks like nobody is in charge because the rules are different for everybody.  Players are either dealt with severely or in the messiah's case....Never dealt with at all.  

Like Bakku, I don't see a whole lot of difference between having the f-bomb directed or a slur directed at me.

The reality is if the discourse on the court isn't addressed in earnest, another Pacers-Pistons-type disaster is right around the corner.  Because fans are just mimicing what they're hearing on the court

[Bahku]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

I agree the NBA needs a whole lot more consistency in this area like it does in every other one as the rules are applied differently depending on the player. But I do think profanity is different from slurs in that the profanity is offensive to the person it is directed at and people within hearing who take exception to it. The slur on the other hand is more offensive because it insults a group of people.

So I think a distinction should be made and I can see why the league would be harder on derogatory slurs. What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

When you drop the sob-bomb, that's a slur on someone's mother, not just profanity. I think it's wrong to say one type of offensive language is better or worse than another. I am a Christian, and yet taking my Lord's name in vain is now "acceptable" on television, and just everyday language to many, but it is highly offensive to me, (and many others). Offensive language should be dealt with as such ... slurs are horrible and should be dealt with harshly, but so should profanity, swearing, and foul remarks about someone's mother.

[barefacedmonk]

What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

the league said the discrepancy was because the sanction against Bryant was based on both what he said -- and who he said it to.

Right or wrong...that was the reason.

[ACF]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

I agree the NBA needs a whole lot more consistency in this area like it does in every other one as the rules are applied differently depending on the player. But I do think profanity is different from slurs in that the profanity is offensive to the person it is directed at and people within hearing who take exception to it. The slur on the other hand is more offensive because it insults a group of people.

So I think a distinction should be made and I can see why the league would be harder on derogatory slurs. What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

When you drop the sob-bomb, that's a slur on someone's mother, not just profanity. I think it's wrong to say one type of offensive language is better or worse than another. I am a Christian, and yet taking my Lord's name in vain is now "acceptable" on television, and just everyday language to many, but it is highly offensive to me, (and many others). Offensive language should be dealt with as such ... slurs are horrible and should be dealt with harshly, but so should profanity, swearing, and foul remarks about someone's mother.

It was actually six (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) times.

[Chelm]

What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

the league said the discrepancy was because the sanction against Bryant was based on both what he said -- and who he said it to.

Right or wrong...that was the reason.

I strongly believe the only reason was the salary discrepancy.  They didn't think ahead when they assigned Kobe $100k, thinking it really is a small chunk of his fortune, but didn't think ahead to the ramifications of such a large fine.  Now, they find the only difference between the two incidents and decide arbitrarily that swearing at a fan is less vicious than an official.

[Bahku]

And yet "stars" like Steve Nash can look directly at an official, (on national TV during prime-time, with kids and families watching), and say the f-bomb three or four times, followed by the sob-bomb, and not even get T'd up for it. It's the inconsistency that gets to me, and the way they pick and choose who can say what and when they can say it. It leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation, and until they start doing things in a way that approaches some kind of fairness acress the board, this kind of stuff will continue to fester and undermine the professionalism of this great sport.

How is that inconsistent?  There is a big difference in todays society between using a word that is considered a slur against a certain group of people, and a regular cuss word. 

So calling someone the sob-bomb isn't a slur?!? And it's OK to say the f-bomb to an official repeatedly without being T'd Up? Sets a pretty absurd precident, if you ask me, and an extremely poor example by someone who claims to be a "role model" for kids. If it had been a KG or a Perk, the would have been tossed, but Nash doesn't even get a warning. So I guess players can abuse officials with profanity and slurs, but not fans, if considered by some "politically incorrect." Wrong is wrong, I don't care who it is saying it ... offensive language should be dealt with as offensive language, and not categorized.

I agree the NBA needs a whole lot more consistency in this area like it does in every other one as the rules are applied differently depending on the player. But I do think profanity is different from slurs in that the profanity is offensive to the person it is directed at and people within hearing who take exception to it. The slur on the other hand is more offensive because it insults a group of people.

So I think a distinction should be made and I can see why the league would be harder on derogatory slurs. What I don't see if why a homophobic slur against an official gets a bigger fine than one against a fan. That is where I feel a distinction should not be made.

When you drop the sob-bomb, that's a slur on someone's mother, not just profanity. I think it's wrong to say one type of offensive language is better or worse than another. I am a Christian, and yet taking my Lord's name in vain is now "acceptable" on television, and just everyday language to many, but it is highly offensive to me, (and many others). Offensive language should be dealt with as such ... slurs are horrible and should be dealt with harshly, but so should profanity, swearing, and foul remarks about someone's mother.

It was actually six (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) times.

Wow. I knew it was a few, and with a close-up of just his head the whole time ... I mean the whole world could read his lips, and every child watching. Not even a warning ... amazing.