Arenas for Vince or dump Arenas for cap space?

[miller31time]

And Miller? Please, RESPECT? Are you serious? Yes, please, let's all show due respect to our REALGM WIZARDS FORUM Hall Monitor Captain Miller.

I was actually just talking about respect in general. Not just to me or mods.

[JWizmentality]

Now that needs logged in the HOF. That was some funny crap... LOL

Except get it right. My thing is spelling not run on sentences.

Dannit!

[Ruzious]

Against my better judgment, I'll step into this one. As one of Miller's biggest opponents that's a load of dung. The whole snitch episode was essentially a long standing, running joke which was galvanized by me and Donk. It's incredibly callow to draw any type of theory as to how he got his ban hammer from this. The older mods have had a reduced role of this board and miller has stepped up to the plate. This board is indeed knowledgeable, which is why I keep my mouth shut on things I have no business speaking about, so whether you think your suspension was warranted or not, don't draw your arguments from conjecture and hypothetical theories about how you "think" things are run here.

This board has a great group of characters, and I'd love to meet all of you someday if I get the opportunity to visit D. C again. Lord knows I've been dying to crack a facking bat over miller's skull, share a joint with sumtingwong, go to a stripper bar with CCJ, teach hands11 the intricacies of a run-on sentence, teepee Pine's house with Donk, break nate's calculator and watch him cry like a b*tch, disable Rico's emoticon function, have lunch with DCzards and tell him I really don't hate his son but he's just a really bad coach, outfit Ji with highly conductive copper rods and tie him to a tree during a thunder storm, and krazy glue doc's mouth shut because for once I'd like to see him speechless.

...ah good times.

Sounds like ya gots pretty good judgment. I 3rd or 4th that HOF post sentiment.

[Induveca]

CCJ,

We see eye to eye many times on all things Wiz, but my friend the bible references leave me feeling a bit funny on an NBA board.

I have a hard enough time keeping away from religious drama in my day to day life, if there is anyway you could tone down the biblical stuff I'm sure many on here would be happy campers. Or maybe make a religion thread where you can talk about that kinda stuff.

I love anything that gives people hope and guidance, but for many people those references do the exact opposite in their own mind. I happen to be one of them. I don't wanna ignore you buddy, nor would I but christianity has stolen a few people away from my family over the decades and into some radical stuff and they quoted scripture constantly and carried their bibles so it's something that's more of a personal favor if at all possible.

[hands11]

I don't think CCJ goes over the top with that stuff. IMO

[leswizards]

I don't think CCJ goes over the top with that stuff. IMO

In a world where the phrase "Merry Christmas" has become highly offensive to some, and nearly unmentionable, it doesn't make much to set some off.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ,

We see eye to eye many times on all things Wiz, but my friend the bible references leave me feeling a bit funny on an NBA board.

I have a hard enough time keeping away from religious drama in my day to day life, if there is anyway you could tone down the biblical stuff I'm sure many on here would be happy campers. Or maybe make a religion thread where you can talk about that kinda stuff.

I love anything that gives people hope and guidance, but for many people those references do the exact opposite in their own mind. I happen to be one of them. I don't wanna ignore you buddy, nor would I but christianity has stolen a few people away from my family over the decades and into some radical stuff and they quoted scripture constantly and carried their bibles so it's something that's more of a personal favor if at all possible.

Induveca, IMO misinterpretation or misapplication of Christian principles by misinformed or manipulative individuals steals a lof of folks. What you're saying to me about Christianity is just like saying Islam blew up the Twin Towers. (Also, I say a lot of things just for effect--and hopefully my funny didn't offend your serious).

Put me on ignore or just skip over any post that mentions something that makes you uncomfortable.

In all humility, I will consider whether what I'm saying is offensive or not appropriate for this forum before I post. Thank you, Induveca, for sharing your true feelings. I think the word radical puts things in perspective. What's radical for some is not for others. I'm sorry you're uncomfortable because that's the last thing I want to do.

[doclinkin]

Personally i distrust religion and am suspicious of fundamentalists of any stripe but I've never been offended by CCJ's talking about his personal religion. It is who he is, helps him be a better person in his own life, no big deal. Not like he's recruiting or anything, just saying what he's thinking.

Same way NobodyBeatsTheWiz is a reverend or youth minister or something-- whatever, he's a Wiz fan, that's what matters most ...

This has been an amazing thread. Too bad it's got such a stupid title.

[Induveca]

CCJ/Doc/all I hear you.......and looking back maybe it doesn't go over the top, but for whatever reason it makes me feel a bit queasy at times seeing scripture references and bible carrying people sort of speaking their mind in non-religious places.

I don't want to ignore you in the slightest CCJ, you add great value to the board, far more than my moody self. If the board just rises up and calls me an idiot for even bringing this up I'll happily accept the fact that I've probably just had a different life experience than most and "when in Rome".

That being said, to lighten things up..........I just got back from Amsterdam in my 30s, didn't go for the same reason I'd go in my 20s.......but my god that country is the most unique of any of the far too many I've visited. It's literally the closest thing to visiting an extraterrestrial civilization I can imagine on earth. And I'm not just referencing the overabundance of legal drugs and prositution.

To give you an idea, imagine dozens of school children walking by prositutes happily displaying themselves while the parents and kids think nothing of it and you get the idea. Or a child happily playing on his tricycle in a park while his obviously vibrantly successful parents smoke hashish next to him. Or tens of thousands of bicycles everywhere, people don't drive cars, they ALL ride bikes. There are pedestrian lanes, bike lanes, car lanes, tram lanes, bus lanes. You have to look both ways 4-5 times just crossing the street. It's insane.

Some of it is very disturbing (or extremely fun depending on one's likes/dislikes), but the country is so damn rich and successful and downright beautiful it makes one wonder if everyone else got it wrong. That being said the family life has to be quite odd.........

[gesa2]

I did one of those home-study audiotape courses once on comparative religion, and the professor that gave it said that fundamentalists of all religions have more in common with each other than they do with moderate or liberal members of their own religion. It's about control of culture and societal norms more than it is about guidance, ethics or purpose for some of those folks.

As a liberal agnostic Northeastern boy who moved to the bible belt as an adult, my take is it's fine to believe what you believe, it's fine to share it with us. Just don't judge or think you're better than the next person because they follow their own path to meaning or salvation - Jesus sure didn't. CCJ follows those rules fine for me.

[gesa2]

I did one of those home-study audiotape courses once on comparative religion, and the professor that gave it said that fundamentalists of all religions have more in common with each other than they do with moderate or liberal members of their own religion. It's about control of culture and societal norms more than it is about guidance, ethics or purpose for some of those folks.

As a liberal agnostic Northeastern boy who moved to the bible belt as an adult, my take is it's fine to believe what you believe, it's fine to share it with us. Just don't judge or think you're better than the next person because they follow their own path to meaning or salvation - Jesus sure didn't. CCJ follows those rules fine for me.

Edit -- Hey Induveca - I was creating my post while you posted. Not trying to pile on or shout you down. Until I lived in KY where LOTS live with their religion on their sleeve, I reacted to people who quoted scripture with a pretty strong "don't lecture me with 2000 year old words" sentiment. Like in Amsterdam though, tolerance is generally good. Of all kinds and in both directions.

[Induveca]

I did one of those home-study audiotape courses once on comparative religion, and the professor that gave it said that fundamentalists of all religions have more in common with each other than they do with moderate or liberal members of their own religion. It's about control of culture and societal norms more than it is about guidance, ethics or purpose for some of those folks.

As a liberal agnostic Northeastern boy who moved to the bible belt as an adult, my take is it's fine to believe what you believe, it's fine to share it with us. Just don't judge or think you're better than the next person because they follow their own path to meaning or salvation - Jesus sure didn't. CCJ follows those rules fine for me.

Edit -- Hey Induveca - I was creating my post while you posted. Not trying to pile on or shout you down. Until I lived in KY where LOTS live with their religion on their sleeve, I reacted to people who quoted scripture with a pretty strong "don't lecture me with 2000 year old words" sentiment. Like in Amsterdam though, tolerance is generally good. Of all kinds and in both directions.

I hear you, and I am definitely in the NE category you describe. My dominican upbringing put me around a lot of extreme Catholics who almost all summarily have done poorly in life. I just don't like the vibe of blaming success or failure on religion I guess, that's been my main problem.

I just don't trust it.......doesn't compute for my overly analytical programmer's mind. BUT if religion is used to bring people hope and give them GOOD guidance in life, and they don't become an overbearing closet converter type I'm all for it.

Also another thing about Amsterdam, go to the "Entertainment District" at 2 AM sometime, and you will experience the closest thing to a zombie movie you've ever witnessed. We've all seen hundreds of drunk people rumbling about in the US and most of Europe. Seeing THOUSANDS of drugged out young adults/middle age adults roaming the streets haphazardly is absolutely NOTHING like their drunken counterparts in a south beach or west village in New York. It was fun, but kinda scary. One accidental bump into someone didn't risk any violence like it could from a drunk, but instead made you a new "best friend" who refused to stop following you around for 2 blocks.

[hands11]

CCJ,

We see eye to eye many times on all things Wiz, but my friend the bible references leave me feeling a bit funny on an NBA board.

I have a hard enough time keeping away from religious drama in my day to day life, if there is anyway you could tone down the biblical stuff I'm sure many on here would be happy campers. Or maybe make a religion thread where you can talk about that kinda stuff.

I love anything that gives people hope and guidance, but for many people those references do the exact opposite in their own mind. I happen to be one of them. I don't wanna ignore you buddy, nor would I but christianity has stolen a few people away from my family over the decades and into some radical stuff and they quoted scripture constantly and carried their bibles so it's something that's more of a personal favor if at all possible.

Induveca, IMO misinterpretation or misapplication of Christian principles by misinformed or manipulative individuals steals a lof of folks. What you're saying to me about Christianity is just like saying Islam blew up the Twin Towers. (Also, I say a lot of things just for effect--and hopefully my funny didn't offend your serious).

Put me on ignore or just skip over any post that mentions something that makes you uncomfortable.

In all humility, I will consider whether what I'm saying is offensive or not appropriate for this forum before I post. Thank you, Induveca, for sharing your true feelings. I think the word radical puts things in perspective. What's radical for some is not for others. I'm sorry you're uncomfortable because that's the last thing I want to do.

Good stuff. A moment of humanity and politeness on a basketball forum. Check it into the HOF.
Humility. Honestly. Strength. Equal Rights. First Amendment. Concern for others. Just a few words that come to mind.

No doubt religion is a double edged sword. I have seen it guide people to be better people. I have also sadly watched and read about it leading to millions of people being killed. Its sad that people can take something that is supposed to be a positive thing and turn it negative. But humans are interesting creatures. They are the best and worst of everything.

[doclinkin]

Also another thing about Amsterdam, go to the "Entertainment District" at 2 AM sometime, and you will experience the closest thing to a zombie movie you've ever witnessed. We've all seen hundreds of drunk people rumbling about in the US and most of Europe. Seeing THOUSANDS of drugged out young adults/middle age adults roaming the streets haphazardly is absolutely NOTHING like their drunken counterparts in a south beach or west village in New York. It was fun, but kinda scary. One accidental bump into someone didn't risk any violence like it could from a drunk, but instead made you a new "best friend" who refused to stop following you around for 2 blocks.

I spent two weeks in amsterdam back in my 20's. Flew over there for some festival my school was involved in. Had a blast, met a dancer there, summer love thing. Tried the long distance romance thing by postcards but then well I moved and didn't leave forwarding addresses and that's how life goes. Years later with the internet we sent emails back and forth saying hi and all. Nice to know people are still alive.

But the city is still in my heart. Love the cobbled streets, the soft gentle rain every day some where in the city but never right on you. Basically nice people, for city dwellers. I caught my first PFunk show there and let me tell you George Clinton was clearly enjoying Amsterdam to the fullest. He basically floated out on stage, said nothing for the first two songs, just grinning and nodding, eyes swole so shut you could blindfold him with dental floss. I'm thinking, hell is this? Dude is washed up and burned out, too bad.

Nope, third song in he starts directing, hand gestures only, pointing, patting, fist-- the PFunk crew, tight, he's got them on strings, they instantly react to whatever the hell he wants. He's basically mixing like in the studio, with live instruments.

Next he turns around to the audience and same damn thing: 'funk'em just to see the look on they face funk em just to see the look on their face. MOTHER...' Call and response he gets the audience going, then starts subdividing, getting synchopated rhythms, song lines, contrapuntal call and response from one side of the audience to the next, complex polyrhytms of brainblasted dutch folks who half understand whatever the hell he's saying. He's dropping the band out entirely, and directing the Dutch out the joint. Then BOOM drop the band back in, swirling, spinning like a dervish, looks like a DJ scratching records, but again, with the live instruments.

Kept that up for 4 and a half hours and was still going when me and the girl stepped out to go explore what words stood for what in each other's language, what the naughty nicknames were on that carnal speak n' spell.

The Red Light district was sorta sad, but not dire depressing. Just a bunch of bored looking women like semi-mobile manikins. The Coffee shops were a pleasant revelation, this country would make a ton of money and never be hurt by some legalization drive. You'd just have a nation of people who were basically happy making do with just enough, because, dude, yeah you could go get that pizza, but nah I forgot where I left that wallet and you know this toast is the best toast I EVER ate. Because TOAST is one of those words that sounds like what it is. Right? Which is why it will never be legalized, whereas every work place has a coffee machine. Our economy thrives on dissatisfaction, it would sputter if it had to run on the woolly-brained Zen of everyday things.

But Amsterdam had so many odd and hilarious moments, even if I wasn't throbbing with artificially induced existentialism, but fresh delicious Der Konig beer maybe. The late night, I know the living dead you're talking about, that new best friend who doesn't speak your language but is happy you entered his world. I met that guy. Also his angry dealer.

Walking across a cobbled square with tattered bills stapled to everything, crossing some bridge, some guy walks up out of nowhere; " I HAVE ECSTASY!" can't help but bust out laughing: 'Good for you dude...' Good for you.

Amsterdam ain't without problems I hear, but every country should have an Amsterdam somewhere. I guess we have Vegas. But that ain't the same.

[Dat2U]

I gotta do Amsterdam before I get married. I just gotta. Vegas has been a 2nd home to me but I've done it so much that's it bit played out in my mind. That's gonna be my next big trip. Might skip the summer league next year & just do Amsterdam instead.

[willbcocks]

Christ, can we get back to the pointless disagreement and name calling?

[JWizmentality]

I gotta do Amsterdam before I get married. I just gotta. Vegas has been a 2nd home to me but I've done it so much that's it bit played out in my mind. That's gonna be my next big trip. Might skip the summer league next year & just do Amsterdam instead.

You going for one reason and one reason only.

[montestewart]

^
So...keep Arenas or dump him?

[montestewart]

I gotta do Amsterdam before I get married. I just gotta. Vegas has been a 2nd home to me but I've done it so much that's it bit played out in my mind. That's gonna be my next big trip. Might skip the summer league next year & just do Amsterdam instead.

You going for one reason and one reason only.

The world famous flower markets.

Also, the torture museum.

[dobrojim]

I didn't realize CA has a legalization prop on the ballot in Nov.
Read about it in the Outlook section where a couple Mexicans
were hoping it would pass so Mexico would feel OK to do the
same and thereby end the tragic bloodbath. If only.....

no idea whatsoever on its prospects.