<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">What difference does it make? Addiction problems aren't genetic, it's not like he was born with it. If he has an addiction problem it's his own fault.</div> Jurassic, I usually agree with your posts, but that's just plain ignorant. Some people don't have addiction problems, some are hooked from the first try. It is genetic. Are you going to blame him for trying drugs? You're not in his shoes, don't be so quick to judge. On another note, I'll miss him too. Very emotional and raw... fun to watch. I always wanted him to do well. Maybe when he's back, fingers crossed. j
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Greazy9:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you going to blame him for trying drugs? You're not in his shoes, don't be so quick to judge. </div> What are you suggesting? Someone shoved the drugs down his throat? He chose to do them. Personally, I'm not going to feel too sorry for him for the consequences.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Greazy9:</div><div class="quote_post">Jurassic, I usually agree with your posts, but that's just plain ignorant. Some people don't have addiction problems, some are hooked from the first try. It is genetic. Are you going to blame him for trying drugs? You're not in his shoes, don't be so quick to judge.</div> I see what you are saying but I still disagree. It's not like he was caught smoking weed....he was caught doing hard stuff. Weed is a gateway drug, lots of people try it and even smoke it regularly without ever moving on to the harder stuff. The fact that he did move on to the harder stuff says something about him. He was willing to risk millions of dollars for a high. Whether genetic or not, that's not something that I can't respect or feel sorry for. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, let's say it was genetic. He should have gotten help. Rather than succumb to an addiction that is now ruining his life, he should have admitted that he had a problem and gone to see some doctors. Even if it was genetic, he didn't have to try it the first time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">What difference does it make? Addiction problems aren't genetic, it's not like he was born with it. If he has an addiction problem it's his own fault.</div> I'm not trying to point the blame somewhere else, because in the end he can only look to himself. However, an addiction problem could have stemmed from a few youthful mistakes. I've seen some people do it all there lives and they somehow seem to have control over themselves, while others have tried it once and struggled to control themselves for years. I meant to slow down before throwing him to the fire, not sympathize with him. I think it will probably be cocaine. Its a hard drug, that is considered much more serious than weed or other softer drugs. Also, you can play with it in your system: Lawrence Taylor said he used to use cocaine all the time, sometimes playing on the field high, and he was one of the NFL's greatest defensive players.
Just shows what any kind of drug can do to ya man. And in the end, it feels like you lost everything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">What are you suggesting? Someone shoved the drugs down his throat? He chose to do them. Personally, I'm not going to feel too sorry for him for the consequences.</div> That may have come out wrong, but only slightly. My point is that you, nor I, know his situation, how he got started, how long he's been doing them, how often, what kind of drugs... anything. Personally, rather than speculate, I'd rather maybe not sympathize, but not point fingers and say "you ****ed up, dude!" It's not my place to judge, so it's a good thing it's yours. Look... I know drugs, I used to have a drug problem (been 13 years clean), I've lost friends to them (deaths and otherwise) and I have a disowned brother who's been in prison for the better part of 22 years now because of them. But Mr. Andersen's problem's are his own, and I'll refrain from ostricizing him while he pays the consequences and stands in judgement from every internet critic who feels the need to publicly put him down more than he's already been. j
Wow such wasted talent. This guy was a helluva athletic freak, dunker, and shot blocker which people seem to forget. I always liked this guy, btu that was just a stupid thing to do on his part. 2 year ban is a little rough though IMO. I guess Stern is sending the Message out. I think I'm safe to assume we've seen the last of Chris "Birdman" Anderson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Greazy9:</div><div class="quote_post"> I'll refrain from ostricizing him while he pays the consequences and stands in judgement from every internet critic who feels the need to publicly put him down more than he's already been.</div> Sorry to hear about your brother, but it's good to hear that you've been clean for 13 years. I don't think that Andersen should be immune to critics simply because his problem is of this magnitude. We as fans get after players for every little thing. Kobe was torn apart during the year when he was on trial for rape. But we didn't hear people saying that he didn't deserve it. Maybe Kobe was a sex addict like Andersen is a drug addict, so why should Andersen be immune to the public humiliation that Kobe and every other athlete/celeb has to go through? We get after athletes for things that they can't even control. Chris Webber and Vince Carter get teased for always being injured (granted that could be due to poor conditioning on their part, but injuries can't always be controlled). At this point all I can say is that I hope he gets help. I hope that the media doesn't keep talking and making jokes about this months from now. I hope that he'll actually rehab, make it back to the L, and realize the value of life because right now he clearly doesn't.
OKAY, what if he's like an all-star potential guy who was partying too hard to make that jump? He comes back in 2 years clean, sober averages 20 and 10? That would be nice.
wow! im just shocked! i feel so sorry for this guy. i mean, its not like a 10 game suspension or anything, but a 2 year ban?! wow! that hurts! i just hope that he learns his lesson from this and that he goes to rehab. this is definetly not good. he was a key contributor for the hornets, and to think someone like him will go take drugs is just amazing. he is a millionare. why waste away your life on drugs? i just dont get it......
i dont think that a guy should get suspended like that unless it's performance enhancing...if it's over some minor recreational drug use, that's WAY too harsh.
I agree. David Stern still thinks that every NBA player should be an example for young kids, so it's logic why Andersen has gotten a suspension of that size. We all know Stern is mister over-suspension himself, so I guess we'll have to live with suspensions who are ridiculous. Btw, I'm not talking about the Artest suspension of the brawl last year, but about the Ben Wallace suspension of the brawl. He got 6 games, while it is clear that he started the Palace-Mélee.
If he used Cocaine or some other hard drug, why would it be too harsh? It definitely wasn't something like weed or hash.
I don't try to make a bold statement, but do you know how many stars use drugs in the off-season? Especially cocaine, it's everywhere. And from what I read, cocaine is only tracable for about 2 days, so it was probably a coincidence that Andersen was caught. You don't have to be in jail for 2 years when you use cocaine once, so why should you be suspended for 2 years?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phuzer:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't try to make a bold statement, but do you know how many stars use drugs in the off-season? Especially cocaine, it's everywhere. And from what I read, cocaine is only tracable for about 2 days, so it was probably a coincidence that Andersen was caught. You don't have to be in jail for 2 years when you use cocaine once, so why should you be suspended for 2 years?</div> I don't see your logic. Because other players do it, it makes it right? And how can you possibly compare life in a Euroleague to jailtime? If you failed a drug test at work, you'd probably be fired.
I want to make it absolutely that the following statement is not intended to be racist... but I almost wonder if Stern jumped at a chance to really penalize a white player so he wouldn't get blamed (again) for being racist himself. Outlawing recreational drug use creates a whole class of criminals for no reason. It's nothing more than classism/racism and a means of control. That said, it's his job to play basketball and there are rules accompanying that. Two years is still a bit harsh though. I think the guys who beat their wives or get in drunk driving accidents (or even just ticketed) should get it waaay worse.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post"> Outlawing recreational drug use creates a whole class of criminals for no reason. </div> A) They're illegal and they're not recreational, in any way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">A) They're illegal and they're not recreational, in any way.</div> a) you should research why they're illegal, might surprise you that's your opinion
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting unbeliever:</div><div class="quote_post">a) you should research why they're illegal, might surprise you that's your opinion</div> Don't make assumptions, and secondly, yes it is my opinion. Feel free to counter it.
