<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Let me get this right. Stern changes the rules of the game every six months, changes the basketball, tells the players they can't show emotion on the court, tells them what they should or shouldn't wear, and NOW he's attempting to tell them how they should protect themselves off the court. I'm sorry commissioner Stern if you don't recieve 1/10th of the attention ur players do, but athletes are targets everywhere they go. Who are YOU to tell them whether they carry a gun or not? Ur not a target, ur in ur cozy little office all day pushing buttons and tampering with the rules of the NBA. This guy thinks he's god</div> And the league continues to make more and more money and gain more and more exposure. You have to realize Stern's job as commissioner is to make sure the NBA, the owners and the players make money, LOTS of money. Not all the rules he does I agree with, but I guarantee you he's not coming up with them on his own. I'm sure there's a lot of pressure to appease corporate sponsorships, advertisers, and the people with money who want their product associated with a certain image. If people really didn't like these changes they'd stop watching the sport and prospective basketball players would start boycotting the league.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And the league continues to make more and more money and gain more and more exposure. You have to realize Stern's job as commissioner is to make sure the NBA, the owners and the players make money, LOTS of money. Not all the rules he does I agree with, but I guarantee you he's not coming up with them on his own. I'm sure there's a lot of pressure to appease corporate sponsorships, advertisers, and the people with money who want their product associated with a certain image. If people really didn't like these changes they'd stop watching the sport and prospective basketball players would start boycotting the league.</div> Yes! Exactly what I was trying to get at. The league is sort of at the mercy of the general public or target market as like all business, I guess. I definitely know some old folks that stopped watching basketball because they couldn't relate anymore or the impression was that too many poor young kids coming into money and not being responsible and mature adults. Doesn't matter if it's true or not for most nba players, it's the perception. And that is unfair, but it's all about the general perception even if it's a handful of the same punks that keep making mistakes over and over.
It seems that, at this point, Stern is just expressing his opinion, which I basically agree with. If these guys want to be safe, quit wearing all that gaudy jewelry in public that screams, "Hey, I have a ton of money!" The more people on the streets carrying a loaded gun (and I don't care if they have a license), the less safe everyone is.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It seems that, at this point, Stern is just expressing his opinion, which I basically agree with. If these guys want to be safe, quit wearing all that gaudy jewelry in public that screams, "Hey, I have a ton of money!" The more people on the streets carrying a loaded gun (and I don't care if they have a license), the less safe everyone is.</div> So ur saying if they took off the "guady jewelry" and threw a hilfiger collar shirt they'd be less targets? That's ridiculous. They're dress code has nothing to do with a crazy fan trying to harm them or they're families. A regular man is able carry a registered weapon, shouldn't a celebrity have the same privelages?
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So ur saying if they took off the "guady jewelry" and threw a hilfiger collar shirt they'd be less targets? That's ridiculous. They're dress code has nothing to do with a crazy fan trying to harm them or they're families. A regular man is able carry a registered weapon, shouldn't a celebrity have the same privelages?</div> I'd say so. If you were going to rob someone to get money, would you rob the guy wearing a diamond encrusted necklace or a guy without any jewelry? I agree, the players should have the right to carry weapons, but I also agree with Stern's opinions. It's a proven statistical fact, people who carry guns are more likely to get shot.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd say so. If you were going to rob someone to get money, would you rob the guy wearing a diamond encrusted necklace or a guy without any jewelry?</div> It doesn't matter, if somebody sees you on tv and knows you got $$$ then ur azz is gonna get robbed (ice or no ice). You can't justify somebody robbing a celebrity on they're dress code jus cuz you don't agree with it.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It doesn't matter, if somebody sees you on tv and knows you got $$$ then ur azz is gonna get robbed (ice or no ice). You can't justify somebody robbing a celebrity on they're dress code jus cuz you don't agree with it.</div> I understand celebrities are going to be a target, but the odds go up when they have over $100K of ice in open sight. Flashing around a necklace makes you a more attractive mark, and it's fairly easy to snatch and grab the necklace right off a person.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So ur saying if they took off the "guady jewelry" and threw a hilfiger collar shirt they'd be less targets? That's ridiculous.</div> Makes perfect sense to me. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They're dress code has nothing to do with a crazy fan trying to harm them or they're families.</div> Only crazy fans will attack an NBA player? How about someone who just wants to mug them? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A regular man is able carry a registered weapon, shouldn't a celebrity have the same privelages?</div> I never said otherwise.
It's pretty simple. As I said earlier this is a culture clash. People who grow up in the hood want to wear jewelry, want to show off, to them it is a way of solidifying their identity, to deny them that is wrong. At the same time, the culture they grew up in has a lot of people who want to cut them down to size. one's "rep" is important in this culture-extremely important. that is why Artest went into the stands that night in Detroit. Stern comes from a different culture. One that is less ostentatious, less violent, more positive, more "everyone can share the wealth". "rep" is not so important. Sometimes avenging something can be foolish. If someone comes at you with a gun and says give me your money, you give him your money. you're not a coward who's just ruined your rep, you're smart to not give in to foolish pride for a few bucks. Intelligence to analyse a situation is more rewarded and highly regarded than displays of machismo. In his culture, a man who is successful is not a man to be jacked, he is more of a role model. Because Stern comes from a different culture, it is not his business if Stephen Jackson brings a gun to a club. However, if interviewed, he is allowed to give his opinion. In my opinion, if you need to bring a gun to a club, you're really going to the wrong clubs. Any club that anyone would want to go to in New York, you would neither want nor need a gun.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Makes perfect sense to me.</div> Obcourse it does. U attempting to blame hiphop culture, something you obviously know nothing about. <div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's pretty simple. As I said earlier this is a culture clash. People who grow up in the hood want to wear jewelry, want to show off, to them it is a way of solidifying their identity, to deny them that is wrong. At the same time, the culture they grew up in has a lot of people who want to cut them down to size. one's "rep" is important in this culture-extremely important. that is why Artest went into the stands that night in Detroit.</div> Dude stop it. Don't associate wearing jewelry just with "being in the hood". There are many people "in the hood" who can't even afford that crap. Half the NBA players aren't even from the ghetto, so that's a very shallow assement. Plus this ain't about "being in the hood" it's about NBA players being able to carry a registered weapon. <div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">In my opinion, if you need to bring a gun to a club, you're really going to the wrong clubs. Any club that anyone would want to go to in New York, you would neither want nor need a gun.</div> You need to carry a gun anywhere but church (where you can leavin in ur car). You just never know these days, especially when ur a celeb and ppl see you on tv everyday.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Obcourse it does. U attempting to blame hiphop culture, something you obviously know nothing about. </div> Don't you ever listen? It has nothing to do with hip hop culture, and everything to do with not advertising you're filthy rich. Similarly, women would be safer walking the streets if they weren't wearing a diamond necklance. It's common sense.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Don't you ever listen? It has nothing to do with hip hop culture, and everything to do with not advertising you're filthy rich. Similarly, women would be safer walking the streets if they weren't wearing a diamond necklance. It's common sense.</div> C'mon stop bein a wuss and own up. Why in the hell would you mention "Guady Jewelry"? That's an obvious shot at hiphop culture.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">C'mon stop bein a wuss and own up. Why in the hell would you mention "Guady Jewelry"? That's an obvious shot at hiphop culture.</div> What I said: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If these guys want to be safe, quit wearing all that gaudy jewelry in public that screams, "Hey, I have a ton of money!"</div> First definition of "gaudy" in the dictionary: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> gaudy 1. brilliantly or excessively showy </div> Stop making an ass out of yourself, and quit assuming.
C'mon dude. Ur flipflopping on what u were saying. That's ur opinion, and it is what it is. But don't play stupid. Who are the only human beings you think of when you say "Guady Jewelry"? You ain't talkin about Wayne Gretsky.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">C'mon dude. Ur flipflopping on what u were saying. That's ur opinion, and it is what it is. But don't play stupid. Who are the only human beings you think of when you say "Guady Jewelry"? You ain't talkin about Wayne Gretsky.</div> It could be anyone who wears ridiculously showy (which is precisely what gaudy means) jewelry. That refers to all sorts of people. Do a google search if you don't believe me -- it's not exclusive to hip hop. But even if it was (and it's clearly not), who cares? The point still stands -- if you're going out in a public area where people can do you harm, you only put yourself in more danger by advertising your wealth. NBA players apparently like to wear that "bling" out in public, and frankly I think it's stupid for exactly that reason. Who cares if it's a part of the hip hop culture? It's also part of glitzy, socialite, celebrity culture. It doesn't matter. Looking at rap music videos, apparently profanity, violence, and mysogeny are also a part of the hip hop culture. Does that mean I shouldn't look at those things negatively, because I'd be "blaming hip hop"? That's rubbish.
I don't see how there can be an argument as to whether it's safer to wear extremely expensive jewelry in public or not. If you're rich, is there need to carry crazy amounts of cash around? Don't think so, so if you're not wearing 100K worth of jewelry, there isn't too much a person can actually mug you of. What are they going to do, tell you to transfer money to their bank account, or ask for your $100 dollar dress shirt?
I don't see the problem in not wanted extremely rich (and they show it in public), immature, and uneducated kids to carry guns around with them in public. Many nba players didnt finish college, and it is safe to assume coasted their way through high school. Many fall on instant money, and don't have to do any growing up. Stern isn't the only one making descisions like others have said. I'm sure he has TONS of experts helping him make the nba more money.
<div class="quote_poster">TheFreshPrince Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see the problem in not wanted extremely rich (and they show it in public), immature, and uneducated kids to carry guns around with them in public. Many nba players didnt finish college, and it is safe to assume coasted their way through high school. Many fall on instant money, and don't have to do any growing up. Stern isn't the only one making descisions like others have said. I'm sure he has TONS of experts helping him make the nba more money.</div> Yeah, youre probly right
Whats a gun going to solve? A gun is only going to bring more problems. Ok so a fan attacks the player, so then the player shoots the fan. Once again what does that solve? The only thing that happens is that the player will be going to jail, and it brings bad press for the player and the NBA. What if the fan dies? Now the player can be charged with attempted murder, and now go to trial and waste most of his money on lawyers trying to prove his was trying to protect himself. Carrying a gun would cause more problems then its worth. Actually, when is the last time any of you have heard of a player getting attack by a crazed fan, where the player had to use physical force, or maybe need to carry protection. I don't think its a racial thing when it comes to haters and jealousy, its a money and celebrity status thing. The more famous and more money a person makes, the more problems there going to have.
