Memphis Classy Response re: Randolph Investigation

[verbal8]

the Wizards management made tons of money off Arenas

Yes, and he made tons of money off of them. More importantly, he continues to do so, despite having been convicted for his crime. Also, I've defended Gilbert from day one of this, but to act like the Wizards did anything wrong in the way they reacted to his idiotic behavior is kind of offensive. Gilbert's the one who f'ed up here. He should be thankful the people who hold his contract even want him to play for them. You're trying to turn it into a conspiracy theory, but it looks to me like management was really angry at the time of the incident, and the Pollins were sensitive after the death of their gun-hating husband and father. People react in the moment and tend to calm down once reality sets in. You're convinced everyone's as mad as they were five months ago, but that seems extremely unlikely to me.

Precisely, and they responded in a very unprofessional manner by lashing-out through the media in eyebrow-raising fashion. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it from a professional sports org.

I my mind the big issue was not the response by management, but that it was done publicly. The only rationale I can think of is that they felt it was the only way to convey their feelings to Arenas.

[montestewart]

PS: A little more precision regarding the difference between "innuendo, accusations, or unfounded claims" and "happened . . . in front of a bunch of witnesses." In every case, the defense says the former and the prosecution says the latter.

Oh please. The crime Gilbert was convicted of was the same crime he admitted to from the start. It was also a much different, much more unusual crime for the world of pro sports. Athletes are accused of sexual stuff all the time. We also don't know what details the Grizzlies know. So, no, these two cases aren't comparable other than they both involve basketball players, but I guess if tying them together somehow lets you better express your irrational hatred for Ernie Grunfeld, then don't let me stand in your way.

My point above stands essentially unrebutted, but I love the part in bold.

We're not comparing the Arenas situation to stain removal or the Van Allen radiation belt. The two situations we are comparing involve:

1) professional NBA basketball players
2) allegations of criminal misconduct
3) team response to the respective situations
4) a contemporaneous time frame

As I've already stated, comparable does not mean the same thing as identical. The two situations are morally, ethically, spiritually, physically, positively, absolutely, undeniably and reliably: COMPARABLE!

Some of us take issue with the Wizards response to the Arenas situation (and a few other things). Our issues are generally quite rational and are usually pretty well supported by a recitation of facts, coupled with our own (sometimes overwrought) opinions. You are of course free to disagree.

[montestewart]

I my mind the big issue was not the response by management, but that it was done publicly. The only rationale I can think of is that they felt it was the only way to convey their feelings to Arenas.

That makes sense. It also fits well with my sense of the team at the time as a ship without a captain or a rudder.

[LyricalRico]

Wait a minute. This is not even remotely comparable. What Gilbert did wasn't innuendo, accusations, or unfounded claims. It happened in the arena in front of a bunch of witnesses. What were the Wiz FO going to say -- "We support Gilbert, regardless of him bringing guns into the arena, threatening teammates, mocking the commissioner, and tweeting about the incident."

This.

So, no, these two cases aren't comparable other than they both involve basketball players, but I guess if tying them together somehow lets you better express your irrational hatred for Ernie Grunfeld, then don't let me stand in your way.

And this.

[montestewart]

Wait a minute. This is not even remotely comparable. What Gilbert did wasn't innuendo, accusations, or unfounded claims. It happened in the arena in front of a bunch of witnesses. What were the Wiz FO going to say -- "We support Gilbert, regardless of him bringing guns into the arena, threatening teammates, mocking the commissioner, and tweeting about the incident."

This.

So, no, these two cases aren't comparable other than they both involve basketball players, but I guess if tying them together somehow lets you better express your irrational hatred for Ernie Grunfeld, then don't let me stand in your way.

And this.

Thank you. I was waiting for that.

[Hoopalotta]

Wait a minute. This is not even remotely comparable. What Gilbert did wasn't innuendo, accusations, or unfounded claims. It happened in the arena in front of a bunch of witnesses. What were the Wiz FO going to say -- "We support Gilbert, regardless of him bringing guns into the arena, threatening teammates, mocking the commissioner, and tweeting about the incident."

This.

So, no, these two cases aren't comparable other than they both involve basketball players, but I guess if tying them together somehow lets you better express your irrational hatred for Ernie Grunfeld, then don't let me stand in your way.

And this.

Thank you. I was waiting for that.

I was taken totally off guard, actually.

[montestewart]

^
You've got to have the eye of the tiger.

[LyricalRico]

You know it's coming but you still cna't stop it!

[closg00]

Wait a minute. This is not even remotely comparable. What Gilbert did wasn't innuendo, accusations, or unfounded claims. It happened in the arena in front of a bunch of witnesses. What were the Wiz FO going to say -- "We support Gilbert, regardless of him bringing guns into the arena, threatening teammates, mocking the commissioner, and tweeting about the incident."

This.

So, no, these two cases aren't comparable other than they both involve basketball players, but I guess if tying them together somehow lets you better express your irrational hatred for Ernie Grunfeld, then don't let me stand in your way.

And this.

Thank you. I was waiting for that.