I found this to be a very interesting article by Stephen A. Smith posted in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer. If you have yet to read this article, or hear Stephen's opinions on this matter on ESPN, check out this article... "The truth hurts, especially when the sting is personal. It's never fun to paint a group with a broad brush, to attach deplorable behavior to the backs of many with whom one may share a cultural identity. But how many African American coaches must have their abilities lambasted, their careers placed in peril, before someone starts noticing the primary cause for their travails? It's the black athlete." http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/7915355.htm
I saw him talk about this on PTI yesterday... it's a good point that I never thought of, I always figured black athletes would play better for a black coach, but he brings up a great point. Black athletes see the black coach and see him as a friend, and he can slack off because friends will allow you do so. But as Stephen was saying on PTI, it's not really a race thing, it's a power thing... he says if an owner would stand up with the coach and say "This is your coach, he's got a lot of power, so if you don't agree with him, then there's a chance you might get shipped out because he's staying" -- or by giving him the title of GM as well. That shows the coach has power, so far most NBA black coaches have NO power on their team. Coaches like Pat Riley, Don Nelson, Larry Brown, etc, etc. have some kind of front office power and are very close to the owner of the team, so if a player dislikes them... too bad you're outta here, cause the coach is staying. Black coaches don't have any power, therefore when a player steps over them, the owner just fires him. Tony brought up a point that shocked me, ALL of the head coaches fired this year were black... 1 white coach quit (O'Brian). I guess I never realized it, but that's true, they were all black. So that just goes to show you that he's right... a player dislikes the coach or the team performs under-par and he's out because he has no power. This goes for white coaches too, like Terry Stotts or Eric Musselman because they have NO POWER. I do agree about the power issue... I used to think teams firing coaches every 3 seasons was bad, now it's happening every season (if not twice a season)! It's become a players-league which is sad, now the NBA is really going to be ruined because all these teenage thugs are going to flood in and take over, have their coaches fired daily just so they can kick back and relax.
It's truly sad to see the world's still like this, even behind the scenes of such a beloved passtime and sport. Oh well world's not perfect, still very despicable. Definitely discrimination if you ask me. Appaling behavior, I really hope in the future, things won't be so bleak and this'll be resolved much better. Truly hate topics about such lawsy people....
I found Smith's comments to be somewhat vague and sometimes coincidental, as it relates to the role percieved power plays in a coaches ability to "control" and really coach their players. Maybe he has a point, and maybe I am just not smart enough to get his point, but I am still missing his point. In the "office environment", I have seen this to be the case. But sports may be different? The fact that all the coaches fired this year are black is a sobering fact considering what the NFL and MLB organizations are fighting in the way of image and the fair hiring practices of minorities.
Yeah, I saw this on PTI yesterday. It is an interesting point and it seems that it is true, at least partially. I agree with him about the power that white coaches have and that black coaches usually don't have, and it is logical that it causes some issues between the coach and players.
I agree that Stephen A. could have elaborated a bit more on some of his pointed comments, although I do for the most part agree with the crux of his argument. The power of perception is surely in effect when it comes to the level of respect garnered in the realm of NBA head coaching. Financially driven? Racially driven? Yes, and yes in my opinion. Which is more prevelant is left up to the individual's point of view. Personally, I feel that his statements are well backed by realistic cirumstances. While it's always unfair and very dangerous to paint an entire group with a broad stroke, Smith hits upon two very prevelant perceptions in today's world of professional athletes. To say the fix was in, or that many of today's black coaches are set up to take a fall, may not be completely accurate. But to say that these things don't happen would simply be naive. I would love to think that every player gives his all no matter who his appointed "leader" might be, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. Whether we like it or not, even in our current state of progression many individuals continue to identify more closely with others of a similar ethnic, religious, or economic background. In many ways this can lead to a certain level of comfort or discomfort, which almost inevitably leads to a programmed response. Do I believe that this is an effort made of consciousness? Not neccessarily. But in some cases, ulterior motives are most definitely involved. The facts remain the facts, most black coaches are not given the level of financial security that many of the white coaches are. This leaves them in a precarious position when the time comes to assess their performance and perceived level of respect. I honestly hope that this was not a case of the "inmates running the asylum", yet I have to believe that there is something to the theory. Maybe these situations will change with time, maybe athletes will come to realize that by attempting to circumvent their superior's authority, they are not only cheating the individual, but their team, their fans, and most of all themselves.
I knew somebody was going to bring this up when I seen Smith talking about it on PTI. And I also kind of agree with some of the things he said. When black players have black coaches they sometimes expect the coaches to be their friend. And let them get alway with a little more than usual. It kind of reminds me of when I was in school. When I had a black teacher(Iam black), I admit I joked around a little bit more than usual. It wasnt that I didnt respect them. It was simply because I was under the foolish impression that because they were the same race as me, they would relate to me & kind of let me get away with a little bit more. And I think that is kind of how it is for NBA players. The sad part about the whole situation is that we are always yelling for more black coaches in the world of sports. But when to young black coaches like B.Scott & Randy Ayers are given the opportunity to become coaches. They get scewed out of the job mainly by their own black players. So how are owner ever going to give black coaches fair opportunities if black players dont give black coaches fair a opportunity?
The way I see this trend stopping is just like Stephen A. says... an owner needs to step up and back his coach, reguardless of race. Coaches need more security so the players will see they either have to play FOR THEM or get traded. But the in the current NBA players are in charge, and they know it. Iverson, Shaq, Garnett, and Duncan are the only superstars I can think of right now that respect coaches and have yet to get any fired. Shaq takes it so far as to say he'll retire when Phil does, Iverson may have butted heads, but we all know he loved Larry Brown, and was upset to see Ayers fired. Garnett and Duncan play hard year-in and year-out for the same coach they have played under for years. But with big money contracts for players, it's easier to just fire a coach making 10 times less money. Take the Nets, it's easier to just fire Scott than to trade Kidd. Some of the coaches fired this year were because the team is just bad -- in Ayers' situation it was that his team didn't play FOR HIM, so he was gone (Billy King needed to save his own job). I think it's mainly about power and money than race... Stephen A. just commented on race because in the Ayers' situation the players didn't play as hard for him, thinking he was a friend rather than a boss, as well as seeing he didn't have a lot of power, so if they were to butt heads, it sure wouldn't be the players who were shipped out. It's not ALL black players, in-fact Stephen made it a point to say it's not even MOST... but I'd bet even white players see black coaches the same way, again it's not race, it's power... currently the black coach with the most power, I'd say, is Paul Silas, and as you can tell it's not a lot of power, Jim Paxson is running things over there. The reason is because black coaches haven't had the time to prove they are as good as Larry Brown and Phil Jackson. If a black coach won 2-3 Championships, he'd demand a large paycheck and the GM position too, then the power will shift. But unless coaches (all, not just black) are given the opprotunity to coach (more than 50 games), how can they win? Isiah was a pretty good coach, and now that he has the GM position, if he DOES become New York's coach, then his players would have to play for him, or else they know they'd be on the next plane out of town, he's not afriad of trades.
I agree with most of what you say Scorbutic, but there is one black coach who has won a couple of rings and still had a problem with his players not respecting him. In fact, he's also the NBA's all time winningest coach - Lenny Wilkens. Though I am happy to see things working out for him so far in New York, he's a great coach.
i think smith was absolutely wrong in framing this in terms of race, because all he's doing is starting a tought in people's minds that black players won't play as hard for black coaches. what happens if owners start hiring only white coaches now? if his argument is true, would you fault the owners? there have been a lot of coaching changes this season and most coaches fired were black .you could look at it and say it proves the nba is color blind when it comes to hiring head coaches -or at least a lot more advanced than other leagues- or you could say that the black coaches are not given power. damn if you do and damn if you don't. even tough larry brown is run out of philly. even though nelson didn't know if his job was safe on the offseason. what kind of power hubie brown has to make his players play hard for him? did he buy the grizzlies when no one was looking? he excludes bdzelick as an exemption because he's white and the lowest paid coach - but more conveniently, because he has denver playing at a high level, which in itself is a rebuttal of his argument that money brings power. smith is just taking the facts and molding it into an incendiary article that accomplished what he wanted, to have everybody talking about stephen smith. this is a league were players have the upper hand and they are abusing their power. kidd vs. scott, scott loses. ai vs. brown, brown loses. francis vs. van gundy, my money is on francis. that's the real reason for the coaching turnaround. the only thing i agree with smith, owners have to back up their coaches, black or white.
I think coaches first and fore most shouldn't be hired because of color but because of skill, but the thing with NBA Coaches and especially eastern conference coaches. They are expected to win now. I see that alot of players doesn't have respect for coaches, unlike in High School or College, if you butt heads with the coach nothing is really going to happen, unless you play for Jerry Sloan. While in HS or College, you would probably get suspended or kicked off the team. I don't see the race thing, you can see Milwaukee is playing hard for Terry Porter, the Celtics played hard for K.C. Jones during the 80's, and for the most part all of Lenny Wilken's teams have played hard. I just think its hard for players to respect someone who they know can't really punish them or someone they know will be gone by the end of the season.
I don't know about this article. Is smith trying to say subconsiously that blacks won't play for a black coach? It kind of reminds of these old black woman who will only take a white doctor, not a black. Cause the black doctor is inferior, stupid whatever. No, I give black people more credit than that. Really it comes down to white owners. White owners are the end of day are firing these black coaches. Cause there are plent of white coaches who have lost respect from the team. Skiles Doug Collins Floyd Dunleavy Basically NBA players have no honor/pride. Once they get there big money, gauranteed at that. Just give up. Its sad.
