In response to the new dress code <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I think it's a load of crap," Duncan said. "I understand what they're trying to do with the hats and do-rags and jerseys and stuff. That's fine. But I don't understand why they would take it to this level. I think it's basically retarded. "I don't like the direction they're going, but who am I?" Duncan, a two-time NBA MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP, did not play in Tuesday night's 94-81 exhibition loss to the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. He wore what The Express-News called his typical injured-list wardrobe: jeans and a dress shirt. However, an NBA spokesman said Duncan would have to tuck his shirt in once the regular season starts and the policy goes into effect.</div> foxsports.com I'm a big TD fan but using the word "retarded" is very wrong. Wonder how many people with down syndrome feel when they see their hero saying that on TV? I'm sure If Duncan knew someone who has It, the word wouldn't of crossed his mind.
I think it is frustration on TD and a lot of player's part in response to the new dress code. It probably will be an issue but not for long, as more games are played. It may also increase the level of play and sense of professionalsim and elevate many player's games.
I think you're looking into that too much AllNet. And I'm sure if Duncan was on National TV he would use a different choice of word. This piece probably won't get anywhere outside of the SA newspaper. After all, now a days people use negative words however with different empasis. Like seriously we know Duncan isn't out to offend anybody or use that word in a negative manner. But at the same time I see where you are coming from. It's not biggy in my honest opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">I think you're looking into that too much AllNet. And I'm sure if Duncan was on National TV he would use a different choice of word. This piece probably won't get anywhere outside of the SA newspaper. After all, now a days people use negative words however with different empasis. Like seriously we know Duncan isn't out to offend anybody or use that word in a negative manner. But at the same time I see where you are coming from. It's not biggy in my honest opinion.</div> Well It was mentioned on ESPN, although they were just repeating It from the SA express. I know Tim Is a great person but he really should of thought about what he was saying. If It was someone like Kobe saying, he would likely of got blasted for It. I know I might be making too much of this but I know someone who suffers with down syndrome and It's certainly not something to use the word "retarded" whenever you please. At the end of the day It is only a dress code and these players get paid millions. People who are "retarded" have to live with what they have got.
Jim Rome spoke about it today on his show. He was more surprised Tim Duncan had an opinion about anything. He also wondered why Duncan chose this topic to voice his opinion and also blasted him for using the word "retard."
I'm fine that Duncan truly dislikes the dress code, but I was dissappointed with the way he communicated it. When I read the quote, I expected it from someone else. Its too bad that he couldn't have just said I think the dress code has gone too far, and then explained why.
I don't think it's a big deal because it wasn't in that sense of making fun of people with mental ilnesses, the word retarted has become like the word gay as in it has so many different meanings.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it's a big deal because it wasn't in that sense of making fun of people with mental ilnesses, the word retarted has become like the word gay as in it has so many different meanings.</div> I agree, this is no big deal. I say retarded all the time but don't mean anything else except that I think something is stupid.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He was more surprised Tim Duncan had an opinion about anything.</div> Well that's what comes with being a superstar. People disect you and nitpick everything you say, word for word. The slightest thing you say everyone will be on your case.
I don’t think we should necessarily be disappointed in Tim Duncan it was a bad choice of words in the situation, but I will be the first to admit that I use the word on a regular bases when clowning around with friends. I would never call a person with a disability that, but in America the word retarded has almost taken on a second meaning. Much like the word f*g and b*tch have. It is out of character for Tim Duncan to say something that would cause this amount of controversy, but at the end of the day he is only human.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, this is no big deal. I say retarded all the time but don't mean anything else except that I think something is stupid.</div> That may be but you dont say the word "retard" in a derogatory sense to the national media. You also arent a role model for millions of kids. I especially hate it when players will say something similar to this but then cry "racism" whenever they arent in favor of a rule change. Its almost the same thing.
I dont consider this to be a big deal. True using the word "retard" is wrong, but so many people use it ,(in a way thats not intentionally offensive to mentally challenged people) that it really doesn't mean anything. Its also true that if more people were connected with someone that is mentally challenged, they wouldn't use te word, but thats not the case, and the word isn't usually used in an offensive context. I wouldn't make a very big deal over this, because I guarantee you that most if not all NBA players have used the word " retard".
I agree with playmaker, he clearly wasn't using it in that sense. Would it also be offensive if he called it "mental" or "dumb"? People use those words all the time, but they too can also be mistaken for derogatory. It's the same thing with the word "gay" which many people often use when they're talking about something they dislike. I know I use these words all the time, and certainly many other celebrities have used them in public, so I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. If I'm not mistaken, Duncan has a charity set up for handicapped kids, so it's likely he is a lot more sensitive to it than many of us.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Jim Rome spoke about it today on his show. He was more surprised Tim Duncan had an opinion about anything. He also wondered why Duncan chose this topic to voice his opinion and also blasted him for using the word "retard."</div> It's certainly no surprise that Jim Rome would be sensitive about <u>anybody</u> using the word 'retard.' The poor little guy's probably all upset because he's worked so hard and gotten so far, only to have Tim Duncan come on television and make fun of him like that. If I were Jim Rome, I'd strap on my safety helmet, get out there in front of those shiny cameras and blast away too. Good luck Jim, your secret's safe with us.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crywalker:</div><div class="quote_post">It's certainly no surprise that Jim Rome would be sensitive about <u>anybody</u> using the word 'retard.' The poor little guy's probably all upset because he's worked so hard and gotten so far, only to have Tim Duncan come on television and make fun of him like that. If I were Jim Rome, I'd strap on my safety helmet, get out there in front of those shiny cameras and blast away too. Good luck Jim, your secret's safe with us.</div> You know Jim, he was quick to point out he was offended, after admitting he is a retard himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">You know Jim, he was quick to point out he was offended, after admitting he is a retard himself.</div> Good for him, unfortunately, there's no 12 step for mental retardation, otherwise I'd crack some stupid joke about admission being the first step to recovery.
retarded used to have more meanings than a person of slow mental facilities. MSN Definition: retarded re·tard·ed adjective Definitions: 1. underdeveloped: not fully developed the retarded growth of the plant 2. mentally challenged: an offensive term meaning intellectually or emotionally challenged
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dave McNulla:</div><div class="quote_post">retarded used to have more meanings than a person of slow mental facilities. MSN Definition: retarded re?tard?ed adjective Definitions: 1. underdeveloped: not fully developed the retarded growth of the plant 2. mentally challenged: an offensive term meaning intellectually or emotionally challenged</div> If you're defending Duncan's choice of words by saying he intending them to mean the NBA's dress code was underdeveloped, you must be joking. Duncan hates the policy, called it retarded, and that was that. He meant it no other way, that's pretty clear.
