04/26/24
October 19, 2011
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Bryant Gumbel invokes slavery in David Stern rant.
posted by NoMich at 11:33 AM on October 19, 2011
"Some will of course cringe at that characterization ..."
And why would you think that, Bryant? Comparing multi-millionaire athletes to slaves has worked out so well for others in the sports world in the past.
posted by rcade at 11:51 AM on October 19, 2011
I think people overreact to that metaphor more than they should, which is why people shouldn't be using it. It is a pretty poor to communicate your point if people can't get past your language choices.
posted by bperk at 12:16 PM on October 19, 2011
Meanwhile, the Redskins have announced that John Beck will be their starting Quarterback this weekend.
This annoys me, as it removes focus from what it sure to be a classic for the ages as Tim Tebow faces off against Matt Moore.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:17 PM on October 19, 2011
Meanwhile, the Redskins have announced that John Beck will be their starting Quarterback this weekend.
And wasn't it Dolphin fan that was chanting for Rex Grossman during the pre-season?
posted by NoMich at 12:49 PM on October 19, 2011
They were chanting for Orton.
I think the only people who chant for Grossman are some members of the Grossman family.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:59 PM on October 19, 2011
I think people overreact to that metaphor more than they should ...
I think people react the proper amount to the notion that fabulously wealthy pro athletes are slaves. That hasn't happened since Kunta Kinte played outfield for the Detroit Tigers.
posted by rcade at 12:59 PM on October 19, 2011
I think people react the proper amount to the notion that fabulously wealthy pro athletes are slaves.
They aren't actually saying pro-athletes are slaves though. That's the point of a metaphor.
posted by bperk at 01:16 PM on October 19, 2011
I take issue with the idea Gumbel characterized the players as slaves. His quotation is about Stern, not the players:
"[Stern's] efforts were typical of a commissioner who has always seemed eager to be viewed as some kind of modern plantation overseer, treating NBA men as if they were his boys"
I realize that's probably slicing it pretty thin for some of you and yes, I'm totally in the bag for players in these battles, but Gumbel's comment doesn't seem out-of-line with how some NBA writers are characterizing the talks.
posted by yerfatma at 01:39 PM on October 19, 2011
His quote's about Stern ("modern plantation overseer") and the players ("his boys").
posted by rcade at 01:42 PM on October 19, 2011
"his" = Stern's attitude only. There's nothing there suggesting that's how it is outside David Stern's mind.
posted by yerfatma at 02:05 PM on October 19, 2011
Bills great Kent Hull dead at age 50
posted by tommybiden at 02:13 PM on October 19, 2011
Not really worth an FPP, but Smart Football have a post today about a Buddy Ryan play called "Polish Goalline" which is designed to deliberately draw a penalty for too many men on the field...
posted by Mr Bismarck at 03:00 PM on October 19, 2011
Gumbel's comment doesn't seem out-of-line..
The subject of slavery being brought up is why people tend to groan. I don't think Gumbel meant it as the physical form of slavery but more or less the mentality of slavery.
Then again, Gumbel shouldn't have us all wondering what he meant in his monolog.
posted by BornIcon at 03:43 PM on October 19, 2011
Nice take on the Gumbel-palooza here.
Where "nice" == agrees with me. Nice to see a thread about race brings out the assholes even on deadspin.
posted by yerfatma at 05:10 PM on October 19, 2011
Dirk to throw out first pitch! Oh, wait, no he's not.
posted by tron7 at 05:54 PM on October 19, 2011
So, MLB decides to take a stand on the NBA lockout by denying the homwtown crowd a chance to cheer the MVP of the city's most recent championship? That just smacks of jackassery; the type that only Bud Selig (and maybe Gary Bettman) could be capable of.
posted by tahoemoj at 06:49 PM on October 19, 2011
Dirk to throw out first pitch! For real this time.
posted by tron7 at 02:10 PM on October 20, 2011
Jerry West talks about abusive father and lifelong struggle with depression. He also reveals why he felt he needed to leave the Lakers organization.