David Stern: UnAmerican Hero
| 6
|
Our country has been defined for us, from the Declaration of Independence that initiated our separation, to the American Constitution that solidified it (as a free standing country). Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and John Adams and (our other admired leaders) are idolized across the nation, statues have been erected, elementary schools have been named, and their portraits line the halls of our capital building. Yet to some, these admired names have become just that, admired names. Their words that birthed and defined this nation have dwindled in importance and are now nothing more than simple memorization tasks given to fifth graders (all of which quickly flee their impressionable minds). Some Americans have forgotten the meaning behind these names (great people); they have run astray and destroyed this definition. David Stern, NBA commissioner, is one such individual that has taken it upon himself to rewrite America’s meaning. Stern has specifically forgotten the words of both the Bill of Rights (twice) and the Declaration of Independence; completely ignoring their calls of equality,( freedom of speech, and freedom of religion) through his unjust suspensions, the thing about religion, and the coaches).
The most recent infraction (among many) by the commissioner can be easily seen in this year’s NBA playoffs. The Declaration of Independence clearly states that all men are created equal but David Stern sees it otherwise (The Declaration). In game four of the Suns and Spurs Western Conference semi-final match-up, Robert Horry hip-checked Steve Nash into the proverbial boards. Both Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw took a couple steps onto the court (one to protect, the other to check, respectively) and the end result was a two game suspension for Horry, and a one game suspension for both Stoudemire and Diaw (Bender). While it seems ridiculous because of circumstance, a rule is a rule and the suspensions were at least as fair as they could be (on paper). However, earlier in the series, the ever dirty Bruce Bowen intentionally kneed Steve Nash in the groin and to everybody’s chagrin, there was no suspension. In a separate but completely relevant incident, the Golden State Warriors' point guard, Baron Davis, hit Derek Fisher with a cheap shot in the closing minutes in game four of the series between the Utah Jazz (Sheridan). This disregard of the rules again resulted in no suspension. Stern’s incongruent sentencing among players demonstrates his disregard for the equality among players in similar on-court incidents.
Freedom of speech is one of the founding principles of this country and is rightly included in the first amendment of the bill of rights. Unfortunately, David Stern doesn’t allow his employees the same right that’s reserved for the rest of America. These employees can be fined to the tune of $50.000, as seen by Isiah Thomas’ fine on April 3, 2007, for any negative comments regarding the quality of officiating (Bender). Thankfully, both the players and coaches in the league have wised up, and now instead blatantly admit they’re too scared to say anything against the officiating publicly for fear of fines. After game three’s loss to the Lakers in the 2006 playoffs, Phoenix Suns guard Raja Bell said regarding a specific non call on a physical play by Laker forward Luke Walton, “It’s a physical game. I’m not going to say anything about that right now for fear of being fined. I’ll leave that all alone” (Balanced Scoring). It’s statements like that that clearly indicate how strongly the NBA’s policy conflicts with that of our Bill of Rights. When opinions are stifled, the problems obvious to those most close to the game will continually be overlooked.
So what does this lead to? It leads to poor officiating, and unfortunately, can lead to scandal. During the last two seasons, Tim Donaghy, an NBA official had been shaving points to aid in gambling which is obviously illegal. One of the crazier calls could be seen in game three of the Suns and Spurs series when “a shooting foul [was called] for Manu Ginobili [and] whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction” (Simmons) It was mind boggling. But unfortunately, it’s what’s been come to expected of the NBA officiating. “Whether it's because of bad luck, poor training, measly pay or the thanklessness of the profession itself -- maybe it's all of those things -- the NBA employs a handful of good referees and an astonishing number of bad ones” (Simmons) and this downward spiral is being fed by a quiet storm. One of fear and loathing for the league that won’t let its employees speak out against bad calls because it’s going to result in technical fouls, fines, suspensions, etc. This is the price the product pays when freedom of speech is suffocated.
The scariest of all, however, is the NBA’s suffocation of even the freedom of religion, the very foundation of this country. On March 13, 1996 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, a guard for the Denver Nuggets was suspended indefinitely for refusing to stand up during the National Anthem before a basketball game (Pro Basketball). The NBA actually has a rule that states players, coaches, and trainers “stand and line up in a dignified posture” (Pro Basketball). Abdul-Rauf, formerly known as Chris Jackson, insisted at the time that nothing would come between his faith and that he would not back down. His main problem with the situation is that it’s an idolization of the flag. So why does the NBA do try these types of things? Simply put: they can get away with it. Eventually, the NBA beat him down until he rescinded his decision and decided to compromise his original beliefs and “stand and pray” instead.
Didn’t this country start because of religious persecution? Isn’t that what the pilgrims on the Mayflower were all about? Apparently as long as you appeal to big business in corporate America, it doesn’t matter who you segregate against. From the Rauf suspension to the dress code put in place to stop “hip-hop” in basketball, freedoms are suffocated left and right to make the dollar bill. It’s no longer about the product on the court, it’s about endorsements to squeeze every last dollar from the fans league officials deem worthy.
When you’ve stamped out the equality of men, the freedom of speech, and even the freedom of religion, you go against the very basis of America itself. David Stern, the NBA commissioner has routinely done things his way, steering it towards corporation sponsorship and away from individual expression. His employees will do it his way, or end up on the highway. He’s rewriting everything the country’s ever known and stands for everything that America ideally doesn’t. And we’re letting him get away with it, which is the most un-American thing of all.
Works Cited
“Balanced Scoring Gives Lakers 2-1 Series Edge.” NBA Media Ventures. Accessed July 17th, 2007
Bender, Patricia. “NBA Fines and Suspensions.” Accessed July 17th, 2007
“Pro Basketball; N.B.A. Suspends Rauf." Associated Press. Accessed July 17th, 2007
Sheridan, Chris “No suspension, but Davis upgraded to flagrant foul.” Accessed July 17th, 2007
Simmons, Chris “One man out, one league in trouble.”
"The Declaration of Independence: The Want, Will, and Hopes of the People." Accessed July 17th, 2007
