DCZards wrote:I wasn't calling you a racist, Hands. Sorry if it came across that way.
Let me leave it at this: As a black man, it brings back memories of a not-too-distant (and racist) past when I see another black man's "smarts" being questioned based on what I consider the flimsiest of reasons--such as how well-spoken he is. Question a player's shooting, his ballhandling, his size, even his character when there have been documented issues--those things are tangible and often easy to see/access. But you're on shaking ground with me when you question another man's intelligence based on what appears to be nothing more than a gut feelling on your part.
But since I find what is between a player ears to be an important part of the evaluation, I comment on it. You take two players with the same physical tangibles and one is going to out perform the other. One is going to fit in a with a team better. One is a leader, one isn't. The reason why is because of all those entangles that are hold in the most complex organ of their being. Whats in their head. I wish there was more measuring of that but there isn't. And it isn't so easy to do. But we do it all the time for other jobs. We get evaluated on that stuff. Measured for our mental strength. Grades at school are part of that. That is why you do a job interviews also. We are judged on our personalities. How we respond to stress, etc.
I see this evaluation no different.
You are putting together a team. You need leaders and followers. You need some good soldier type. But everyone needs to be focused. Hey, you even need some comedy. Webby is good for that. But I never want short bus types like Nick Youngs. You can have them but they only work in a well defined role. I don't want focused on the wrong things planking McGee. Or over talented emotionally damaged best players types like Gil. I also don't want crazy thugs like Critter.
Hey C Barkley was a southern twanged good ol boy. So was Bird. And both were also high IQ basketball players.
But lets not make it out like people are not in part judged by the way they communicate. Of course they are. At least initially until you get to know what is behind the voice.
And AFM. Like I said. I take is all into account. Low assists for a SG or SF to me equates to low BBIQ/Smarts...whatever we are calling it. So does poor defensive focus. So does poor diet.
And as for group think. Sorry AFM. Its part of the human condition. We are all influenced by other in some ways. Sometimes in good ways. Sometimes not.
...and then I woke up 
