Wait a second. Shouldn't the punishment for doing something like this be having to attend *more* "Rookie Transition" sessions?
It's like dismissing someone from driver's ed because they fail the parallel parking test.
He has to attend again with the 2014 class
Zillgitt noted that Muhammad will be required to return to the rookie symposium next season—as a sophomore—with the Class of 2014 draftees and other players who have yet to attend the program.
Okay, got it. It's more like sending someone home from driver's ed and making him come back in a year - but letting him drive in the meantime.
My guess is a fine will be forthcoming either from the league or the team. While $20-25 large isn't much for someone that just signed a multi-million dollar contract, it will hurt some.
Suppose you offered every rookie the choice to attend, or to just pay the $25k up front and avoid the thing entirely (or even push it back a year). How many would pony up?
I'm being a bit facetious of course, but either the educational value matters or it doesn't. This sends an odd message.
The class probably doesn't matter that much to the rookies, but it's more of the "shame" factor of getting kicked out for not following rules and it being publicized. It also raises a flag for the team, especially since he he already has a reputation.
I guess. But won't the biggest knuckleheads, as KGsKnee called them, be precisely the ones who feel the least shame?
Again - either the NBA is genuinely trying to help these kids make better decisions, or it isn't.
I remember having the same reaction when I got suspended in high school: this is "punishment"? Now, detention after school - *that* I would work pretty hard to avoid. Same principle.
I'm thinking the only real punishment that might have 'teeth' would be a suspension, to be enforced at the season.
I.E. - follow our rules for these 4 days or you get suspended for 4 games.
That will have all your teammates and coaches pounding sense into you before you go to make sure you don't screw up.
I like a 4 day suspension (w/o pay) during which he gets an individualized Rookie Transition Program at his expense.
It can't be only about punishment -- which in many circumstances does not act as a deterrent or cause remorse. It also has to be about making a good faith effort to teach something to these young men -- many of whom are immature and impulsive. They are about to be very rich, more famous and constantly tempted -- they need a course in how to manage their assets and manage themselves. It won't work for all but may work for some. I'd be interested to see data that provides some evidence of the effectiveness thus far of the Rookie Program.
Well, yes. But in my proposal, I wouldn't have sent him home after he broke the rule. The girls get kicked out, he still has to stay for the program. And he gets suspended for 4 games to start the season.
Which will NOT make his teammates and coaches happy. Which in my mind, is really the only strong leverage here.
You want a situation where it is in the interest of those vested in him to make sure the player understands how serious this is BEFORE he goes to the training.
Topic: Shabazz Muhammad dismissed from NBA Rookie Transistion Program (Read 18732 times)