Role Models and the NBA

Sir Charles said it best - "I am not a role model" - years ago. But do parents listen?

The NBA in their meager attempt to placate the gay, lesbian, transgender, bicurious and what ever new gender confused group comes out (no pun intended) has launched a TV campaign in which athletes from various levels talk G rated trash to one another until one of them uses the word "gay" as a verbal assault. Then, some NBA player (or 2) says in as many words that that term is not acceptable - "not in my house".

Good for the NBA, er, the WNBA. Are they even still around?

Nonetheless the NBA is being proactive in their attempt to make alternative lifestyle folks feel at home in their arenas. I can only assume their players didn't get the sensitivity memo.

I'm watching game 2 of the Heat / Bulls game and in the first quarter Noah, the center for the Bulls received his second foul. The camera showed the 7 footer sitting on the bench immediately following him exiting the court and while I'm no mind reader I am 99% sure he called somebody to his right a "fucking fagot".

Now, I'm no expert in sensitivity training, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that was a smack in the face of the NBA's attempt to attract the alternative lifestyle crowd, and their subsequent policy.

If calling someone "gay" in the heat of competition is unacceptable, or frowned upon by the NBA - this cat should get the run the fuck out of the league.

However, we live in a fickle if not hypocritical world which is money driven. Noah will not be fined, chastised, counseled or even talked to about his comment. The Eastern Conference Finals is waaaayyyy too important to mention such a transgression, even by a semi superstar. So what does this say about the league, and more importantly athletes as role models?

It screams that 20 something millionaires are probably not the cats you want your kids to emulate - at least during the games. I'm not sure who this dip shit ran his mouth at, but I do know it doesn't require an advanced degree in linguistics to distinguish his words or intent. 

If you are one of those parents who has managed to successfully indoctrinate your kid(s) with the "do what I say not what I do" bullshit - then your kids will buy the leagues manipulation hook line and sneaker. If not, and your kid(s) have an IQ higher than a retread tire - you might be in trouble.