No Chewing Gum During Anthem & More <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's the latest attempt at behavior modification from the NBA: Henceforth players and coaches will be penalized if they chew gum and/or shift their weight from one leg to the other during the playing of the National Anthem. </div>http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6206360 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not just the ball that's new and causing a backlash among NBA players. The league has a host of new rules and "points of emphasis" regarding the game's appearance, and those are hardly being welcomed by its players. When the Knicks played the Wizards at the Garden last night, there was a newly assigned official who was at the arena for the expressed purpose of watching for players pulling their jerseys out of their pants when they came out of the game. As of this season, that move is illegal and subject to fines. Those same set of eyes were looking for players wearing rubber bands with their names on them. Anyone caught displaying those would be subject to a call from the league, with a warning to stop. That same spy was busy during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," watching for players chewing gum and shifting as they stood in line, which have been outlawed.</div>http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketba...0p-397143c.html I can't wait until Stern's term is over. Anyone know when that is?
<div class="quote_poster">LAKERSKB8 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">the Stern is taking away the legal rights of nba players. He's the NBA's Hitler.</div> This is common sense, and the right thing by Stern to do. The image of the game needs a brushup. Besides, it is important for players to respect the national anthem, especially when there's Americans dying in Iraq to "defend" their country.
The national anthem one is fine. You could call anyone who disagrees with it a terrorist/communist. I still think the rubber band one is ridiculous, though.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The national anthem one is fine. You could call anyone who disagrees with it a terrorist/communist.</div> Yes.... people who shift their weight to another leg during the national anthem are terrorists and commies.
I understand the gum thing, but sending out someone to specifically look for people violating these rules is kinda sad. What's wrong about moving a bit during the anthem? Personally, I can't stand the full anthem without moving a bit. I undestand it's small task to do so for a minute or two for 82 games, but he's just abusing his power now. Can't untuck your jersey when you're on the bench? Wow.
All that image bullsh*t is exactly that: bullsh*t. You really think the common folks (or whoever's benefit the league is trying to direct these new rules towards) who watch the NBA really care if a bench player's jersey is untucked or not? I understand the anthem thing but you get penalized for SHIFTING WEIGHT?? What in God's name is that? Chewing gum I understand, new ball I understand, but shifting weight? Not being able to wear elbow bands? No rubber bands? It's borderline ridiculous. I won't call it dictatorship but jesus christ this is a damn SPORT. The NBA will not lose business if Jermaine O'Neal wears his elbow pad two inches above his elbow. What the hell kind of rule is that? Some things Stern did I agree with (dress code, new ball, stricter refs) but there's no need to try and tweak every single thing in the league. If you really want to clean up the league, throw out the troublemakers; taking thier rubberbands away doesn't do anything. Note to Stern, it's not the bands that brings the NBA's rep down, it's the people who act a certain way on or off the court that denounces the image the league pushes (or is trying to push) towards. Also interesting to note is that on Slamonline, Sam Rubenstien mentioned the playing of the Dr.Dre song "Xxplosive" before the players took the floor, or something along those lines. It really doesn't make any sense to push forth all this image clean up bullsh*t and then allow the playing of gangster rap songs within NBA arenas. Also, read this: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The image problem is a subtle way of talking about black ballplayers and how they appear to the populace," Hunter said. "When we had our last round of negotiations, David told me that he was consulting with one of President Bush's political consultants. The issue was, what they can do to make the game and players more appealing to the red states?"</div>
how the hell is chewing gum during the national anthem viewed as disrecpectful? that's pretty much equally as random and arbitrary as saying that it would be disrespectful to not chew gum during the national anthem shifting weight from side to side on the other hand makes perfect sense. those PUNks and THUGS who shift their weight between their feet during the national anthem might as well be holding out the American flag, setting it on fire and then pissing out the flames
Stern needs to settle on these new rules. Some of the rules make sense but some dont. <div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So who's up for a pack of bubblelicious?</div> Is it a LeBron piece?
So, who else sees this eventually leading to Stern forcing all television stations to blur/censor all the black NBA players on TV?
Honest to god, this is just getting out of hand, whats next? players need to have their tattoos removed? I dont see how chewing gum during the anthem is disrespectful at all, it doesnt make players any less patriotic, especially considering alot of players in the league arent even American, so gum or no gum, they're not going to care much for the anthem either way. The shifting weight thing is the most stupid thing I've ever heard in my life, I cant even comment on how stupid that one is.
he's definitely abusing his power. i can understand respecting the anthem, thats all good. but rubber bands, a pointless ball change, jersey approval, i mean, come on. i do like that hes trying to clean up the leagues image, but this is pointless, it wont change anything. whats next, no talking to other teammates on the sidelines while waiting to be subbed in?
See, some of the things that Stern has done have been the right moves, but this is just plain overkill. He's pretty much losing touch with every part of the league he commisions.
