There are reasons for not having politics on this or any other sports site. One, you can find plenty of other sites where you can argue until you're red (or blue) in the face. Second, you come here for news, insight, and opinion on the Jazz. Finally, sports are one of the only things that can bridge an otherwise fractured community. Those that live in Utah know the political conflicts that are prevalent here. It's the same everywhere I'm sure. But when fans gather in the ESA, everyone is a Jazz fan (except for a minority of bandwagon Laker fans).
With that said, I don't want this DB item to delve into political debate at all. What I want is your opinion on athletes sharing their opinions on matters such as the death of Osama bin Laden. For example, Chris Douglas-Roberts stirred up a bit of a firestorm with his comments over the celebrations that were held after the death of bin Laden was announced.
I wouldn't have brought this subject up at all except that CJ Miles got caught up in it all a bit as well. He didn't like the celebrations either and got some flak for stating so. CJ is no stranger to twitter attacks of course.
Obviously athletes are entitled to their opinions. They should be allowed to say what they would like. In a lot of ways, they are just like a regular joe. Because they make millions shouldn't disqualify them from expressing their thoughts. They're going to have differing opinions just like the rest of us. What amazes me is the way in which they're attacked for having those opinions.
CDR also spoke with the New York Daily News about it today where they mention how other athletes are quiet on the subject while only CJ came out in his defense.
A large part of that is because of tools like Twitter. Rarely would someone say any of these to someone's face, let alone an athlete or someone that is bigger than you. They offer near-anonymity and few, if any, repercussions. Of course, not everyone is like that. If you've spent any amount on time on the Internet, you know that these types of people appear on all websites and platforms.
So why are they attacked when others that have the same opinion are not? No doubt their celebrity status is the biggest reason why they're targeted. I'm not sure why an increase in your paycheck supposedly disqualifies youfrom having or stating your opinion. Sure, there are some comments by athletes and celebrities that make you say, "Huh?" But don't we all have friends/family/colleagues that do the same thing? Aren't we guilty of that?
So my question is this: Should athletes refrain from making such statements on Twitter/Facebook and other mediums? Not because they shouldn't be allowed to but because of the potential backlash?
I'm interested in your thoughts on this. Again, don't turn this into a political discussion or so help me I will turn this post around! I'll do it! Well, I'll at least turn comments off or something.
The Tribune has their list (print version) of their top three team comprised of ex-Jazz mean based on how well they did after they left the team (through trade, free agency, etc.). It's hard to poke any holes in their choices or find many omissions. Here are their requirements:
The result is the All-Time Ex-Jazz Team, consisting of players who appeared in games during the franchise's 32-year Utah era. That factor eliminated Dominique Wilkins, who was drafted by the Jazz in 1982 and traded that summer. A full season on another roster was required, disqualifying Deron Williams.
The selections are based entirely on how the players performed with other teams, regardless of their achievements in Utah, what the Jazz received for them or how much they were missed.
The only thing I would have done is drop Derek Fisher from the first team and elevate Wesley Matthews. They appears to be doing it based on position and not overall standings. With Mo Williams at the PG, Fisher doesn't belong on that first team no matter how much Sloan used him as our SG. And as time goes on, I think that becomes the more obvious choice.
Eric Maynor is another one that I think will move up the list as time goes on. He could overtake most of the PGs on the list when all is said and done. However, he won't overtake Deron's spot on the list. DWill was left off because one of the requirements was playing a full season for the other team. I'm not sure why that disqualifies him from the list, but those are their rules.
The only omissions that I might see are Tyrone Corbin, Thurl Bailey, and Kris Humphries. In fact, Humphries could be on the third team.
And of course, if AK leaves the team, he could show up as well.
Any others?
I don't know which is worse, Malone playing for the Lakers in his final year or for him endorsing Skecher's Shape-ups. He's going to be in Texas on the 15th promoting them at an outdoors event:
To everyone who's too busy to work out, you're out of excuses," said Karl Malone. "Shape-ups are easy and they really make your muscles work. I've got more strength in my legs and core and my energy level is up. They're even easier on my joints than my other shoes. I'm excited to stand behind this shoe because it delivers.
Malone has never been a mainstreamer when it comes his choice of shoes (LA Gear forever), this one still baffles me.
Congratulations to the Kings fans. The team will be staying in Sacramento for at least one more season. The league's relocation committee, which Greg Miller was a part of, recommended that they stay. However, they stipulated that if plans for a new arena aren't approved, then the team will be allowed to move.
At this point, for all of the work that Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the city/fans have done, I can't fathom the thought that they would blow it now and not get a deal done for a new arena. The Maloofs have dragged their feet in the past but there is an increased movement now to get it done. If the city is able to get financing and everything else done for an arena, the owners aren't going to be able to weasel out of it and continue to use it as an excuse to move. Now that the spotlight is on them, they will have pressure to cooperate. They won't be able to use small-market obscurity in order to duck out from their obligations.
So while there's plenty of work to be done, the effort that the city and fans have put into this in the past couple of months should carry over and we'll see movement to get things done.
Tuesday poll...