Digression V: The NBA Playoffs

I’ve been sitting on this for a couple of days, and after seeing two entries about it, I felt it necessary to voice my opinions on it.

The KG/Anthony Peeler Saga

I can only imagine the uproar my hometown is in right now over this whole mess.  Anthony Peeler is suspended for two games, and KG had to cough up $7,500.  Things went just as they should have.

Yeah, I said it,

The punishments for each guy fit their respective crimes,

KG threw an elbow, and depending on what you read, got a little rough two plays earlier, resulting in AP having a fat lip.  AP threw not one, but TWO elbows, one of which was more like a forearm shiver to the head.

First of all, whoever said basketball isn’t a contact sport needs to get into a pickup game sometime.  Physical play is nothing new, nor is the occasional bloody lip…so that part is insignificant to the story.

The refs, either because they chose to ignore it or they couldn’t see it, let AP’s first elbow slide.  Then, because they chose to ignore it or because they couldn’t see it, they let KG’s elbow slide.  Peeler’s second elbow could not be ignored.  An intentional blow to the head is bad enough, but what he did was basically a punch, and any punch thrown warrants an automatic suspension.  It is likely that only after they went back over the tape, did the NBA decide to give KG his slap on the wrist, just as they should have.

Look, I don’t have to tell you of the adage that says the second guy to do something illegal is always the one who gets caught.  This has nothing to do with KG’s status in the league compared to Peeler’s.  It has nothing to do with “The Jordan Rules.”  Peeler should have stayed in his shoes.  Now, he’s put his team in a shity situation…but shit happens.  Champions don’t whine and cry about it, they deal with it and play.

KG’s “War” Comments

I absolutely refuse to give athletes an out on this issue.  Some people want to let Garnett off the hook because he’s so well liked, while chastizing Kellen Winslow Jr. for being a “punk kid” after he did the same thing last year.  The truth is, there’s no difference between them.  If Kevin Garnett or anyone else, is so behind the times that he had no idea how stupid his comments were, then he needs a lobotomy.  Since we know that can’t possibly be the case, we can only assume that he said what he said without THINKING first.

That deserves no sympathy and no leniency,  Common sense should be the standard we are ALL held to, regardless of how much money we make.

Arco Arena Fans

I cannot tell you how disgusted I am that this has begun.  Twice in recent history, our fans have resorted to throwing shit on the court when they are unhappy.  Basically, it’s a few hundred people acting like two year olds at the same time.

Again, no leniency on this one.  These people know better.  Since the franchise came to Sacramento, the thing that differentiated us from other fans is that we DIDN’T do that kind of thing,  It’s not passion, it’s not emotion.  It’s stupidity, and it makes me utterly ashamed to be associated in any way with this franchise.

You want to show your passion, your emotion?  Do it the way we REAL fans always have–cheer your heart out, boo your head off, and leave your voice in that arena at the end of the night.

If you are A) Someone who has thrown things during these incidents (or any sporting event for that matter) or B) One who makes ANY EXCUSE WHATSOEVER for those that do, do us all a favor and stay home.  We don’t need you and we don’t want you around.  You are not one of us, no matter how much stupid trivia you know or how many autograph sessions you’ve been to.

*deep breath*  OK, I’m done ranting.