ESPN's Broussard says LeBron will go to Chicago? Are you kidding me?! Are you hearing this fellow Chicagoans? Rose and LeBron? Our hometown doesn't deserve another 6 titles :)
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, June 26, 2009
Pickup Basketball and Company Crisis, Lenses Into True Colors
(heads up since this post has religious references)
"An entrepreneur shows his true colors in a period of crisis, not in a period when everybody is having success." — Giorgio Armani on the opening of his new $40 million Manhattan store in the middle of the recession.
When I saw this quote in Fortune magazine a couple of weeks ago, I immediately thought of personal experiences seeing people for who they are under intense, competitive athletic contests, such as pickup basketball. The mild mannered guy in my dorm or the well-liked summer intern became complete morons on the basketball court. One of them was a raving lunatic who prompted me to say outloud, "Who are you?"
In some cases you can excuse rude and unsportsmanlike conduct due to ignorance, especially if the offender rarely played basketball. But for those who knew how to play, there was no excuse or cover from the clear lens that pickup basketball provided into the character of people. On the basketball court, tortoise shells disappear and your character is naked for people to see. If someone you knew was already labeled as a prick, playing a few pickup basketball games confirmed these truths and probably enhanced your perception of their character deficiencies. It’s like bad skin in HDTV, pockmarks look like craters and wrinkles like canyons.
The same goes for crisis situations in a company, especially if you’re an owner or executive. The more at risk you feel, the more your raw emotions and character comes out. Are you going to step up and execute or are you going to fade away from the challenge? Are you going to remain a supportive team member or are you going to succumb, pointing fingers and backstabbing your colleagues?
One company I was advising had an executive with a sterling reputation; The ultimate “nice guy” loved by everyone in his past firms. But he never encountered a downturn in his prior companies. When this company came under financial distress, his true colors were revealed. He became like a man in the desert for 40 days without water. Nothing mattered besides his own reputation and stake in the company. Some of the employees were wondering who Mr. Hyde was that was sitting in Dr. Jekyll’s corner office. He shifted his responsibilities to his colleagues as he looked for his next position, which created more distress on the company. The company needed him to step up instead of trying to step out. He left before the company survived and turned the corner from their crisis.
This reminded me of Peter’s denial of Jesus during the intense episode of his arrest. Peter denied his association with Jesus three times because he was fearful of also being arrested and possibly facing death. Peter denied his greatest responsibility and commitment during this time of crisis.
Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” — Matthew 26: 74-75
Is your company going through a crisis in this downturn? How are you responding? Are you satisfied with your performance? What areas can you improve upon? Are these situations allowing for a period of self-reflection? Would your colleague say these times are bringing out the best in you…or the worst? How do you know that?
Originally posted at InsideWork.
"An entrepreneur shows his true colors in a period of crisis, not in a period when everybody is having success." — Giorgio Armani on the opening of his new $40 million Manhattan store in the middle of the recession.
When I saw this quote in Fortune magazine a couple of weeks ago, I immediately thought of personal experiences seeing people for who they are under intense, competitive athletic contests, such as pickup basketball. The mild mannered guy in my dorm or the well-liked summer intern became complete morons on the basketball court. One of them was a raving lunatic who prompted me to say outloud, "Who are you?"
In some cases you can excuse rude and unsportsmanlike conduct due to ignorance, especially if the offender rarely played basketball. But for those who knew how to play, there was no excuse or cover from the clear lens that pickup basketball provided into the character of people. On the basketball court, tortoise shells disappear and your character is naked for people to see. If someone you knew was already labeled as a prick, playing a few pickup basketball games confirmed these truths and probably enhanced your perception of their character deficiencies. It’s like bad skin in HDTV, pockmarks look like craters and wrinkles like canyons.
The same goes for crisis situations in a company, especially if you’re an owner or executive. The more at risk you feel, the more your raw emotions and character comes out. Are you going to step up and execute or are you going to fade away from the challenge? Are you going to remain a supportive team member or are you going to succumb, pointing fingers and backstabbing your colleagues?
One company I was advising had an executive with a sterling reputation; The ultimate “nice guy” loved by everyone in his past firms. But he never encountered a downturn in his prior companies. When this company came under financial distress, his true colors were revealed. He became like a man in the desert for 40 days without water. Nothing mattered besides his own reputation and stake in the company. Some of the employees were wondering who Mr. Hyde was that was sitting in Dr. Jekyll’s corner office. He shifted his responsibilities to his colleagues as he looked for his next position, which created more distress on the company. The company needed him to step up instead of trying to step out. He left before the company survived and turned the corner from their crisis.
This reminded me of Peter’s denial of Jesus during the intense episode of his arrest. Peter denied his association with Jesus three times because he was fearful of also being arrested and possibly facing death. Peter denied his greatest responsibility and commitment during this time of crisis.
Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” — Matthew 26: 74-75
Is your company going through a crisis in this downturn? How are you responding? Are you satisfied with your performance? What areas can you improve upon? Are these situations allowing for a period of self-reflection? Would your colleague say these times are bringing out the best in you…or the worst? How do you know that?
Originally posted at InsideWork.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Broke Baller (Props to Kanye West)
March Madness inspires many to random acts. My quick (3 mins) and lazy (complete rip from Kanye West's Gold Digger) lyric writing.
To all my friends that went to Michigan, especially those that experienced the highs of Glen Rice and the Fab Five and then suffered until this year...
(She steal me tourney!)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head...
11 years! 11 years!
She got one of Bo's kids, got U for 11 years
I know somebody payin' AA fines for one of his kids
His baby momma's dome is bigger than his
(She steal me tourney!)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head...
To all my friends that went to Michigan, especially those that experienced the highs of Glen Rice and the Fab Five and then suffered until this year...
(She steal me tourney!)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head...
11 years! 11 years!
She got one of Bo's kids, got U for 11 years
I know somebody payin' AA fines for one of his kids
His baby momma's dome is bigger than his
(She steal me tourney!)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Now I ain't sayin she a ball hogger (When I'm in need)
But she ain't messin' wit no broke baller (she steal me tourney)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head get down (I gotta win)
Get down Dickie, go 'head...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Tools of the Month... Spanish National Team, Jacob Weisberg
I typically post a couple times a year on a person or group of people that I consider tools. This past month there have been too many tools for me to just blog about one:
- Spanish National Mens Basketball Team. What a bunch of morons. I should have posted about this a couple weeks ago after this NYTimes article.
Even last week, Dan Patrick and Jim Rome both emphasized how could they not think it was racist and degrading? Two very different journalists coming to an obvious conclusion. Patrick even pointed out that during an interview Pau Gasol seemed uncomfortable and knew what they did was wrong. Did they actually believe it was a gesture to create a bond between them and the Chinese? Please. The photograph, sponsor and the whole team are idiots.
To be honest, I'm not that shocked because of my travels in Europe (I'm Asian American) and conversations with my Asian friends that have lived there. It's just widely accepted that many Europeans are just ignorant and racist when it comes to Asians. Many stories I've heard present the same childish behavior as displayed by the Spanish National Team, and of course with the same ignorant response of "what's the big deal?"
I'm very glad that we beat them in the gold medal game. Go USA! Frickin' tools deserve to lose.
- Jacob Weisberg. Slate's Editor-in-Chief wrote this genius post yesterday, "If Obama Loses Racism is the only reason McCain might beat him."
What a serious tool. Does he really believe this? Does he believe his article will help counter the Bradley Effect?
Sure, there are some racists that will not vote for Obama solely based on the color of his skin, but the vast majority have decided based on more tangible issues. More important issues. In talking with a few of friends that are Ivy League-educated, moderate Democrats, who grew up in modest-income homes (countering Weisberg's profiling) are primarily not voting for Obama because of his lack of experience. No experience in making difficult decisions in dangerous times. Heck, if he even owned a small business at one time and actually sweated over a tough decision I would personally have some confidence in him. He hasn't even been in the Senate long enough to champion real causes and fight at the table on real decisions.
Anyway, Jacob Weisberg just showed himself to be a tool. I wonder if his piece was partly out of frustration that Obama hasn't been breaking away from McCain despite how badly damaged the Bush Administration is and how uncharismatic McCain is as a candidate?
- WidgetLaboratory. After receiving some initial sympathy for getting booted from Ning's platform, they made themselves out to be tools. Serious tools. Just read the following posts:
"WidgetLaboratory Strikes Back At Ning Where It Hurts" TechCrunch
"Don’t Post The Evidence Unless It Supports Your Case" TechCrunch
The final post on the WidgetLab controversy Michael Arrington calls them "idiots," which might not mean much since he calls a lot of people "idiots" :)
- Spanish National Mens Basketball Team. What a bunch of morons. I should have posted about this a couple weeks ago after this NYTimes article.
Even last week, Dan Patrick and Jim Rome both emphasized how could they not think it was racist and degrading? Two very different journalists coming to an obvious conclusion. Patrick even pointed out that during an interview Pau Gasol seemed uncomfortable and knew what they did was wrong. Did they actually believe it was a gesture to create a bond between them and the Chinese? Please. The photograph, sponsor and the whole team are idiots.
To be honest, I'm not that shocked because of my travels in Europe (I'm Asian American) and conversations with my Asian friends that have lived there. It's just widely accepted that many Europeans are just ignorant and racist when it comes to Asians. Many stories I've heard present the same childish behavior as displayed by the Spanish National Team, and of course with the same ignorant response of "what's the big deal?"
I'm very glad that we beat them in the gold medal game. Go USA! Frickin' tools deserve to lose.
- Jacob Weisberg. Slate's Editor-in-Chief wrote this genius post yesterday, "If Obama Loses Racism is the only reason McCain might beat him."
What a serious tool. Does he really believe this? Does he believe his article will help counter the Bradley Effect?
Sure, there are some racists that will not vote for Obama solely based on the color of his skin, but the vast majority have decided based on more tangible issues. More important issues. In talking with a few of friends that are Ivy League-educated, moderate Democrats, who grew up in modest-income homes (countering Weisberg's profiling) are primarily not voting for Obama because of his lack of experience. No experience in making difficult decisions in dangerous times. Heck, if he even owned a small business at one time and actually sweated over a tough decision I would personally have some confidence in him. He hasn't even been in the Senate long enough to champion real causes and fight at the table on real decisions.
Anyway, Jacob Weisberg just showed himself to be a tool. I wonder if his piece was partly out of frustration that Obama hasn't been breaking away from McCain despite how badly damaged the Bush Administration is and how uncharismatic McCain is as a candidate?
- WidgetLaboratory. After receiving some initial sympathy for getting booted from Ning's platform, they made themselves out to be tools. Serious tools. Just read the following posts:
"WidgetLaboratory Strikes Back At Ning Where It Hurts" TechCrunch
"Don’t Post The Evidence Unless It Supports Your Case" TechCrunch
The final post on the WidgetLab controversy Michael Arrington calls them "idiots," which might not mean much since he calls a lot of people "idiots" :)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Kobe vs MJ? Please.
The Lakers won tonight (barely) and will extend the series to six games. Since the next two are in Boston, I give them less than a 2% chance of winning. It was less than 5% for me after their game 4 loss, but after tonight's performance I have to downgrade LA. For the home team, that was a pretty pathetic performance.
Kobe was a no-show in the 2nd half two games in a row. So again I have to agree with my favorite sports columnist, Bill Simmons, on this:
The Kobe-MJ thing ... done. Over. Jordan never would have let that happen in the Finals. Ever. Under any circumstances. Nobody is ever allowed to bring this up again.
Seriously. But I won't stop with this point alone. A few weeks ago Dan Patrick brought up how he believes Kobe is a greater offensive player than Michael Jordan. While I respect Dan and he was my favorite anchor during the early days of ESPN, I will have to completely disagree with him on this.
The only area that I will say Kobe is better than MJ is three-point shooting, and this is a weak give since Kobe's career percentage is 34% to Michael's 33.2%. Yes, these are real numbers. Most people have a misconception that MJ was horrible at threes and shooting below 30%. MJ even tried to improve on this three-point shooting one year and shot 42.7%. The highest Kobe shot was 38.3%
Michael had no incentive to improve on this area of his game. He was dominating and shooting above 50% in his prime. Kobe's highest percentage? 46.8%. Especially in today's no-hand check game, Kobe should be shooting above 50% to be seriously considered the heir to Jordan's throne. I blogged before that I believe Michael would have had a couple 40 plus points per game seasons under today's rules that favors slashers and offensive players. For those of you that saw MJ play, can you imagine him playing games where people don't grab on to his jersey? Elbow and push hard against his back?
While today's players are bigger and stronger, this wouldn't even be a factor. I won't even assume that Michael would have kept up with the norm of exercise if the 2000s were his prime years. Just look at Reggie Miller a few years back. Remember? He would occasionally bust out and score 38 points in a game at the tail end of his career. Miller is made up of twigs and jumps about a foot off the ground. Aging Sam Cassell (E.T or The Fly?) would also breakout big games a few years ago and simply explained that today's players don't know how to play defense when asked "how he still does it".
I haven't heard anyone state that Kobe is close to MJ on defense, and I'm glad. First, MJ was known as an at-will lock down defender. Mitch Richmond? He's not getting more than 10 points tonight. Bam. Done. Kevin Johnson? Shutting him down tonight. Done. Kobe doesn't have this rep and never will. Also his numbers don't even come close. MJ's had six 200 steal seasons. Kobe? Zero. MJ had two 100 block seasons. Kobe? Zero. Defensive Player of the Year? MJ had 1, Kobe 0.
This year's NBA Finals and some of Kobe's past performances have revealed that he doesn't have the killer instinct on par with Michael Jordan. I believe Kobe is the best player in the NBA today and is the best clutch shooter, but please stop making comparisons to the greatest ever.
UPDATE: I was going to write about Prince shutting Kobe down in the 2004 Finals, which would never have happened to MJ, but forgot to. Anyway, more from Bill Simmon's (June 17, 2008)...
THE KRYPTONITE AWARD FOR "MOST SIMPLE WAY TO FOIL SOMEONE WHO IS ALLEGEDLY SUPERMAN"
Boy, Kobe sure seems to have trouble scoring on these Shane Battier/Paul Pierce types, doesn't he? If someone's a little bigger than him, stays between him and the basket and has the reach to contest his jumper, and if that person is flanked by smart defenders who remain aware of what Kobe is doing at all times, it sure seems Kobe has trouble getting the shots he likes. Not to belabor the point because it's a moot discussion at this point, but MJ didn't have a "kryptonite" flaw. He just didn't. Of everyone from the '90s, John Starks probably defended him the best ... and it's not like Starks was shutting him down or anything. He just made MJ work a little harder for the points he was getting anyway. The point is, Jordan did whatever he wanted during a much more physical era, and when he faced great defensive teams -- like the '89 and '90 Pistons or the '93 Knicks -- nobody ever shackled him or knocked him into a scoring funk. Kobe? He looks a little lost offensively against the Celtics. It's true. Same for the 2004 Finals against Tayshaun Prince, another lanky defensive player with a good reach. Just remember to mention this on his NBA tombstone some day.
Kobe was a no-show in the 2nd half two games in a row. So again I have to agree with my favorite sports columnist, Bill Simmons, on this:
The Kobe-MJ thing ... done. Over. Jordan never would have let that happen in the Finals. Ever. Under any circumstances. Nobody is ever allowed to bring this up again.
Seriously. But I won't stop with this point alone. A few weeks ago Dan Patrick brought up how he believes Kobe is a greater offensive player than Michael Jordan. While I respect Dan and he was my favorite anchor during the early days of ESPN, I will have to completely disagree with him on this.
The only area that I will say Kobe is better than MJ is three-point shooting, and this is a weak give since Kobe's career percentage is 34% to Michael's 33.2%. Yes, these are real numbers. Most people have a misconception that MJ was horrible at threes and shooting below 30%. MJ even tried to improve on this three-point shooting one year and shot 42.7%. The highest Kobe shot was 38.3%
Michael had no incentive to improve on this area of his game. He was dominating and shooting above 50% in his prime. Kobe's highest percentage? 46.8%. Especially in today's no-hand check game, Kobe should be shooting above 50% to be seriously considered the heir to Jordan's throne. I blogged before that I believe Michael would have had a couple 40 plus points per game seasons under today's rules that favors slashers and offensive players. For those of you that saw MJ play, can you imagine him playing games where people don't grab on to his jersey? Elbow and push hard against his back?
While today's players are bigger and stronger, this wouldn't even be a factor. I won't even assume that Michael would have kept up with the norm of exercise if the 2000s were his prime years. Just look at Reggie Miller a few years back. Remember? He would occasionally bust out and score 38 points in a game at the tail end of his career. Miller is made up of twigs and jumps about a foot off the ground. Aging Sam Cassell (E.T or The Fly?) would also breakout big games a few years ago and simply explained that today's players don't know how to play defense when asked "how he still does it".
I haven't heard anyone state that Kobe is close to MJ on defense, and I'm glad. First, MJ was known as an at-will lock down defender. Mitch Richmond? He's not getting more than 10 points tonight. Bam. Done. Kevin Johnson? Shutting him down tonight. Done. Kobe doesn't have this rep and never will. Also his numbers don't even come close. MJ's had six 200 steal seasons. Kobe? Zero. MJ had two 100 block seasons. Kobe? Zero. Defensive Player of the Year? MJ had 1, Kobe 0.
This year's NBA Finals and some of Kobe's past performances have revealed that he doesn't have the killer instinct on par with Michael Jordan. I believe Kobe is the best player in the NBA today and is the best clutch shooter, but please stop making comparisons to the greatest ever.
UPDATE: I was going to write about Prince shutting Kobe down in the 2004 Finals, which would never have happened to MJ, but forgot to. Anyway, more from Bill Simmon's (June 17, 2008)...
THE KRYPTONITE AWARD FOR "MOST SIMPLE WAY TO FOIL SOMEONE WHO IS ALLEGEDLY SUPERMAN"
Boy, Kobe sure seems to have trouble scoring on these Shane Battier/Paul Pierce types, doesn't he? If someone's a little bigger than him, stays between him and the basket and has the reach to contest his jumper, and if that person is flanked by smart defenders who remain aware of what Kobe is doing at all times, it sure seems Kobe has trouble getting the shots he likes. Not to belabor the point because it's a moot discussion at this point, but MJ didn't have a "kryptonite" flaw. He just didn't. Of everyone from the '90s, John Starks probably defended him the best ... and it's not like Starks was shutting him down or anything. He just made MJ work a little harder for the points he was getting anyway. The point is, Jordan did whatever he wanted during a much more physical era, and when he faced great defensive teams -- like the '89 and '90 Pistons or the '93 Knicks -- nobody ever shackled him or knocked him into a scoring funk. Kobe? He looks a little lost offensively against the Celtics. It's true. Same for the 2004 Finals against Tayshaun Prince, another lanky defensive player with a good reach. Just remember to mention this on his NBA tombstone some day.
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
Old Shaq Issue
Since I just started this blog, I thought I should at least get more of my random thoughts up, so I'm posting a letter I sent to Dan Patrick at ESPN earlier this year during the whole Shaq controversy. I was getting tired of various sportscasters that were defending Shaq's fake Chinese imitation of Yao Ming and his weak apology. The worst was the Bill Walton, one of my least favorite sportscasters, was one of the few criticizing Shaq. Finally, my favorite sports personality, Dan Patrick, wrote a lame letter defending Shaq, so I had to respond.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Patrick,
I have been a fan of yours for at least 12 years if not more. I have always thought of you in the highest regard as a journalist and sportscaster. For much of those years I religiously watched SportsCenter at least once a day. After reading your article "Crossing The Line", I can say that my accumulated respect towards you has taken a few steps backward.
Your defense of Shaq's comments seem to reflect your ignorance and insensitivity. Have you ever had people judge or assume traits about you because of the color of your skin or ethnicity? I bleed red, white, and blue... but have you ever had a woman ask you where are you from? "Chicago."
"No, I mean really."
"Chicago."
"No, what country?"
"The U.S."
"NO! Where are you REALLY from?..."
Have you ever had a car full of African Americans drive by while you played basketball with some friend yell at you, "Ching-Chong-Ching! Ching-Chong-Ching! Go back to China!"
The first time this happened I said, "What a bunch of ignorant racists."
What if it was a bunch of Caucasians yelling at a group of African Americans on the basketball court, "Porch monkey!Spearchuckers!" Or if they did their best gangsta-rap impression? Would these Caucasians simply be written off as insensitive? Tell me one African American that would not be pissed off, hurt, or out for blood? Wouldn't most of the general population consider these comments racists and the people that yelled them out the car window racists? Maybe that should be your next poll on ESPN.com.
I grew up in a predominantly Jewish and white suburb of Chicago. I didn't encounter these various situations until I hit college and afterwards. I remember soon after graduation I worked for the Governor of Illinois and lived in Springfield, IL. A highly segregated town. I was the first Asian American that most people there encountered, especially one that spoke perfect English. So I was treated as a "white". There I really encountered the racist or ignorant population that I believe occupies the majority of America. People would tell me to be be careful of "them" people and don't go to that part of town. They would imitate African Americans in some silly servant voice to my shock and discomfort. Are these people simply insensitive? If an African American was listening in, what would they feel especially after the laughter that I heard? Remember the movie, "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story"? There was a part when Bruce Lee was hurt and offended and ran out of the theater when he saw the scene in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" when Mickey Rooney is imitating a Chinese man? Not a good feeling to be mocked or stereotyped.
You said that "Yao might respond with his best gangsta-rap impression and everyone would laugh." Really? Maybe when this all dies down have someone from ESPN that's Caucasian bust out in their best gangsta-rap impression to an African American athlete during an interview. I think I can safely assume that most of athletes will be pissed off. Maybe a rare few will not take offense and just brush it off as insensitive, and I bet a handful will clock that journalist. And how hard will the NAACP come down on that journalist?
And Yao shrugging off comments won't be criticized for being "Americanized", but unaccustomed to speaking out in a more open social environment or understandably fearful of not fitting into the world of the NBA. If he didn't have these and other factors to worry about, I would counter and say that he's not being American by voicing and speaking for Asian and Asian Americans... against ignorance and injustice... for principles on which our great nation was founded upon.
He doesn't simply represent China or the entire Chinese population in the world, but Asians because I assume you and the majority of the U.S. don't know the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, and others. Like those African Americans in the car yelling at a group of majority Asians playing basketball. Not one person of Chinese descent. All Korean and Japanese descent. Like I said then and now, "What a bunch of ignorant racists."
Bernard Moon
-------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Patrick,
I have been a fan of yours for at least 12 years if not more. I have always thought of you in the highest regard as a journalist and sportscaster. For much of those years I religiously watched SportsCenter at least once a day. After reading your article "Crossing The Line", I can say that my accumulated respect towards you has taken a few steps backward.
Your defense of Shaq's comments seem to reflect your ignorance and insensitivity. Have you ever had people judge or assume traits about you because of the color of your skin or ethnicity? I bleed red, white, and blue... but have you ever had a woman ask you where are you from? "Chicago."
"No, I mean really."
"Chicago."
"No, what country?"
"The U.S."
"NO! Where are you REALLY from?..."
Have you ever had a car full of African Americans drive by while you played basketball with some friend yell at you, "Ching-Chong-Ching! Ching-Chong-Ching! Go back to China!"
The first time this happened I said, "What a bunch of ignorant racists."
What if it was a bunch of Caucasians yelling at a group of African Americans on the basketball court, "Porch monkey!Spearchuckers!" Or if they did their best gangsta-rap impression? Would these Caucasians simply be written off as insensitive? Tell me one African American that would not be pissed off, hurt, or out for blood? Wouldn't most of the general population consider these comments racists and the people that yelled them out the car window racists? Maybe that should be your next poll on ESPN.com.
I grew up in a predominantly Jewish and white suburb of Chicago. I didn't encounter these various situations until I hit college and afterwards. I remember soon after graduation I worked for the Governor of Illinois and lived in Springfield, IL. A highly segregated town. I was the first Asian American that most people there encountered, especially one that spoke perfect English. So I was treated as a "white". There I really encountered the racist or ignorant population that I believe occupies the majority of America. People would tell me to be be careful of "them" people and don't go to that part of town. They would imitate African Americans in some silly servant voice to my shock and discomfort. Are these people simply insensitive? If an African American was listening in, what would they feel especially after the laughter that I heard? Remember the movie, "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story"? There was a part when Bruce Lee was hurt and offended and ran out of the theater when he saw the scene in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" when Mickey Rooney is imitating a Chinese man? Not a good feeling to be mocked or stereotyped.
You said that "Yao might respond with his best gangsta-rap impression and everyone would laugh." Really? Maybe when this all dies down have someone from ESPN that's Caucasian bust out in their best gangsta-rap impression to an African American athlete during an interview. I think I can safely assume that most of athletes will be pissed off. Maybe a rare few will not take offense and just brush it off as insensitive, and I bet a handful will clock that journalist. And how hard will the NAACP come down on that journalist?
And Yao shrugging off comments won't be criticized for being "Americanized", but unaccustomed to speaking out in a more open social environment or understandably fearful of not fitting into the world of the NBA. If he didn't have these and other factors to worry about, I would counter and say that he's not being American by voicing and speaking for Asian and Asian Americans... against ignorance and injustice... for principles on which our great nation was founded upon.
He doesn't simply represent China or the entire Chinese population in the world, but Asians because I assume you and the majority of the U.S. don't know the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, and others. Like those African Americans in the car yelling at a group of majority Asians playing basketball. Not one person of Chinese descent. All Korean and Japanese descent. Like I said then and now, "What a bunch of ignorant racists."
Bernard Moon
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