Week
of
12/08/97:		 San Francisco Warrior guard, Latrell Sprewell's, one year suspension for allegedly beating up coach P.J. Carlesimo is...?



Name: Nexus Vision
Email: nexus_vision@hotmail.com
Response: Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber but we all make mistakes. That concept of pride and attitude can be admirable....but respect is earned not given. If he didn't have his coaches respect he didn't earn it. He's there to win games and well compensated for it... he's not the demon the media makes Latrell out to be....but bottom line if you are their to win games and being payed to be a leader....lead take the criticism make a difference...in not join the Clippers...*chuckle*


Name: K. Copeland
Email: kyc_56@hotmail.com
Response: Let's just say this incident took place in an ordinary workplace. You know with an average salary, an abusive supervisor, and you still have to provide for your family. The employee would be out of a job and another man would take that slot. No one has the right to provoke someone to the point of physical assault. That's where EEO or EO complaints come into play. With the money these sports entertainers (quasi-atheletes), the right kind of attorney could have prevented that coach from debasing any one at any time. I'm reminded of Jackie Robinson who took "much abuse" for less pay, and had to keep silent about it for at least three years. How many of these guys can walk in those shoes? Think about it.


Name: KIM MORRIS
Email: morris5@eagnet.com
Response: I DO NOT IN ANY WAY SHAPE FORM OR FASHION CONDONE WHAT LATRELL DID, BUT I DON'T THINK HIS PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE THIS SEVERE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS MAN 'S FUTURE. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER MEANS OF PUNISHMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Name: K. Leonard
Email: leonard@detroitbest.net
Response: I think Sprewell got of easy; if he had choked me, he would have gotten cut!


Name: Rev. ALF
Email: rev-alf@juno.com
Response: I BELIEVE THE SPREWELL MATTER HAS BEEN HANDLED BADLY BY THE COMMISSIONER. IN MY OPINION,THE COMMISSION ACTED BEYOND HIS BOUNDS. (No, I have not seen his Position Description; however, if he is given this type of carte blanche action, then it needs to be rewritten.) THE NBA UNION SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE ACTIONS OF BOTH CARLESIMO AND SPREWELL SHOULD HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZED. Thus, far, we have only been privy to Sprewell being crucified. After all, Carlesimo does not have a great track record with African-American players. The problem is, African-American players are not given the respect they should have. I also suspect that there is some envy of the players' salaries on the part of some of the coaches. What has taken place is nothing short of reoccurrence of history: A LYNCHING! I sincerely hope that this is not the end of the matter. Much more needs to be done. I believe that Sprewell should play. A shorter suspension and fine would be appropriate. Carlesimo should also have to pay for his actions. It appears that there has been verbal abuse. And since we don't know the whole story, perhaps there has been physical abuse by Carlesimo. And, don't we all know that verbal abuse hurts far more than physical and can scar us forever. Further, the manner in which this matter has been handled shows great disrespect for NBA Union and its leader. (I apologize for not being able to recall his name at this moment.)


Name: Randall
Email: B1MORE1@aol.com
Response: San Francisco Warrior guard, Latrell Sprewell's, one year suspension for allegedly beating up coach P.J. Carlesimo is...? a shame he won't make 8 million this year from that team. an example of how not to handle that situation. an indication that the community failed him. an opportunity for learning and teaching. I know that some will wonder what blame does the community have in this? Clearly Mr Sprewell is a grown man and is faced with the reality that as an Adult you are held responsible for your actions. I was not their and can not speak to what triggered his reaction. But, I do believe his reaction would have been different if he really understood the History of African's in America. The community failed him and many others by allowing that history to be watered down and minimized. It is our (African in America) responsibility to ensure all of our atheletes understand what happened to Josh Gibson, Joe Louis and Willie Mays. Our community should mandate that our athletes be given this history that will inform our Athletes of the restraint that may be necessary to advance themselves and those who will follow them. If Mr Sprewell understood the process that Mike Jordan and Majic Johnson used to eliminate the antagonistic coaches they had he may have reacted differently. We need to instruct our Athletes about the simple jealousy that can grow from the "you don't deserve that money mentality". We need to instruct our Athletes on the reality that some coaches will resent them making more money. We need to instruct our athletes that high paying salary alone should trigger restraint. This situation should teach that emotional reactions can be very costly.


Name: R. Gaston
Email: ralegas@juno.com
Response: As a Warriors season ticket holder I am glad to be rid of the jerk. S7,000,000.00 per year and he's whining about being yelled at. Give me a break!!! I have watched this clown since he was drafted and I felt then that here was a fine young man who could be a role model for the youth of the Bay Area. Okay he ain't not role model na dyet he honestly believes that he has gripe. If he can play basketball at the university of Alabama, that hot bed of civili liberty, and not protest the presence of the STARS and BARS, which he did not, then he should clam up, listen to the stupid coach and take the 7 mil to the bank. Having said that I must also say that the news media is making the guy out to be a criminal, which he is not by any stretch of the imagination. STupid yes, criminal no. But most of us understand the media's double standard when it comes to wealthy young black athletes. Bret Favre was a dope fiend yet he is lauded and proclaimed league MVP. Mike Mamula exposes his p____ to a female and nary a word in the press but they are after all part of the majority and as such they are accorded deference. But despite this obvious duoble standard was Sprewell justified in choking and punching his boss? He is if he is willing to pay the cost...


Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: Temper! Temper! We all need to learn how to control our tempers. Sprewell has never been one to act like a gentleman... His team knew this when they put him under contract. Both sides are at fault here. Both need to be punished so they can be taught a lesson. It is unfair for Sprewell to be the only one to be punished.


Name: Ray-Ray
Email:
Response: What Latrell Sprewell did was very wrong, but we don't know everything about the altercation. We don't know what transpired before the incident. Latrell should have been fined, punished, or suspended for some length of time, but his punishment has gone too far. Mr. Carlesimo did not have to publicly beg for forgiveness for his wrong-doings. I don't think anyone is playing the race card to excuse what Latrell did. I think it is an issue because of the events that led up to the choking. I don't think that Latrell should beg Mr. Carlesimo for any forgiveness. If anything, his apologies are owed to his fans, teammates, and family. For God's sake, look at Dennis Rodman's behavior. He was not reprimanded in this fashion. His behavior wasn't even provoked. Both of these men are black, but treated differently. WHY! The issue needs to be investigated so I hope Mr. Cochran will prevail once again. Good luck Latrell! We still love ya!


Name: Garth
Email: garth.garvey@dps.com
Response: Latrell Sprewell should have handled the situation in a more adult manner. With that said though we need to address the real issue here, which is the complete double standard of how African- American athletes compared to thier white counterparts are treated when they "supposedly" step out of line. Have you visited some of discussion forums on this issue, and read the vile and racist comments being said about the brotha. Not to mention the news media trying to get as much out of this story as possible. When discussing these issues, we need not only to mention the crime that was committed, but the broader picture of how we are portrayed by the white part of our society. Everything we do comes under extreme scrutiny and is magnified. So what if these athletes make millions, they are still regarded as "apes", "animals", "gangster hoopsters" (these are words taken from message boards). These are words used to describe all of us behind closed doors, and we need to remember that and try not to make their distorted and racist view of our athletes become ours.


Name: Kano
Email:
Response: It is very unfortunate that this incident has resulted in the question of whether race is a factor. However, I do tend to think that when a person has physically and mentally exerted themselves to the maximum extent, naturally they may react somewhat irrational. Then by the same token, coaches have to be professional enough not to unnecessarily abuse players for their team having bad records. Case in point: Mike Ditka, the former Chicago Bears headcoach, and current coach of the New Orleans Saints. His downgrading of players amounts to abuse. Suppose you work for a company that is suffering setbacks by way of profits; but you put forth 100 percent everyday you work for that company. If the supervisor or facilitator continue to belittle you on a regular basis this could cause serious problems. These ones must build up instead of teardown.


Name: Quince Jackson
Email: quincej@ods.com
Response: Sprewell was wrong in the way that he handled this situation and deserves to be punished. However, I do believe that all the facts should have been presented prior to suspending him. No one outside of the team knows what PJ did to cause Sprewell to go off.


Name: james n.
Email: jjn@mindspring.com
Response: Screw Latrell!! He's lucky, he doesn't have assault charges. If it was anybody besides a ballplayer or a politician. They would have to post-bail. When will we stop making excusing for bad behavior. As a society, we're been taught what to think-not how to think. Maybe next time he will cogitate, reflect before taking any type of action.


Name: Ruthie - Pasadena Journal
Email: pjournal@nmgd.com
Response: Hey; everyone gets angry and sometimes loses control. But we all must take responsiblity for our actions and pay the consequences. Sprewell has done the right thing by apologizing. Now he should go an try to get a handle on self control. The time off will allow him to reflect and think about how he might act differently next time.


Name:
Email: Maddog40@webtv.net
Response: RACISM! DEM D__N "WHITE-FOKES" ARE AT IT AGAIN. Latrell Sprewell has made a public apology--with his lawyer Johnnie Cochran, and his agent, Arn Tellem. How about P.J. Carlesimo apologizing to Sprewell for provoking him into a confrontation? A man can only have respect when he demands it when it comes to a racist fool. Carlesimo has trouble all over because of his stupid attitude to people, and to African-American men in particular. If the NBA had the intelligence, they would have gotten rid of P.J. Carlesimo instead of Latrell! The NBA wasted no time in terminating the final 3 years of Sprewell's four-year, $32 million contract. Sprewell's agent thinks race played a role. He says "I don't think the issue of race can be ignored. It must be looked into. You have a white coach who has a history of having problems with players in the NBA. Obviously those players are African-American players." Tellem said. Washington's Wizard's owner, Abe Pollin, says he would consider signing Latrell [Washington Post]. Pollin said "If Sprewell would open his heart and ask for forgiveness, I would consider it. But he would have to show us and the fans he is sorry for what he did." Pollin said. After what's happened, here's a man who wants Latrell to beg for forgiveness! Can a brother ever win???? [D__N!!] THE Mayors of San Francisco and Oakland, angrily denounced Latrell Sprewell's one-year suspension, with papers quoting San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown as saying, P.J. Carlesimo may have "deserved choking." [you who are giving your opinions here] You are acting like scared rabbits; You are pitiful!!! You should go back to the plantation. [YASSUH BOSS!] How about this, Mike Tyson--Marv Albert: Mike goes to jail and Marvy Marv goes _FREE_. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? Why should an African-American man apologize to a white racist idiot, when it was the white racist idiot who started it? Then, some other white racists had to join in and contribute their two-cents [they come in gangs you know. cowardly racists need a bunch to help out] The Warrior owners had to do their thing by firing Latrell--then the NBA administered the coup de grace!!! The brother didn't deserve that much. DEM D__N WHITE-FOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Name: Melanie Phillips
Email: mphillip@cbsinc.com
Response: I'ts true that we have only heard one side of the story regarding Latrell Sprewell's one year suspension. However physically assaulting someone is totally unacceptable! If Sprewell was having problems he should have sought the assistance of an attorney long before he choked his coach.


Name: Rick
Email: rick_kaz@hotmail.com
Response: Boy, I'm loving this! I see alot of the reactions pointing out the fact that we don't know what coach P.J. said...well, what does one say to deserve to be attacked. If it was a racial thing...acting like that isn't going to make things better...just worse. We can't let people go around handling there problems with there fists. Did you see the mans throat? I wonder what would have happened if they didn't pull him off! I don't want my son to see that one of his heroes handles his problems like that. I think it was the right choice. Matter of fact, he got off easy for being a role model to kids in America.


Name: C
Email: CARROLLE@HOTMAIL.COM
Response: IT IS TRULY AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT WAS THERE A LEGITIMATE CAUSE FOR HIS ACTION....I JUST CAUGHT THE TAIL END OF THIS SITUATION......BUT TO LOSE THAT MUCH.....FOR SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN WALKED AWAY FROM IS SAD IN DEED.


Name: lsj Adeyemi ThankGod LaCrown.
Email: 433EHSV@CMUVS.CSV.CMICH.EDU
Response: First and foremost, the punishment meted out to him is justifiable because no man is more than his master. Latrell has bitten the finger that's feeding him and he needs to face the consequences. No matter what the coach might have said, I don't think it merits what the he's sacrificing his time, in order to have a future has done to him. All of us know in this country that without RACISM, the history of USA is not complete but we should also know that we are at the stage of re-writing the history whichever form or style it takes. A lot of people has written some junk that personally provoked me but we should all realise that everything should not always be tied to racism. With such attitudes, we cannot make any headway in our quest for abolition of racism. We should be standing up to face the truth, tell the truth and let the power of the truth fight for itself. I wonder what the category of this people will say if Evander Holifield had been a white man when he was bitten by his counterpart in a tussle that was worldly rated & made a lot of millions. May be if I am the man, I'd have suspended him for the rest of the season and whenever he comes back, he will never play more than 10 mins in any match. Racism could passively play it's role in such an aspect and no one will actually know it. My message to our black folks is TO ALWAYS PROVE THE STEREOTYPE AGAINST US TO BE FALSE. WE SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR WHEN OUR ACTIONS OR ATTITUDE WILL MAKE US THE SUBJECT MATTER FOR THE PUBLIC. Who is not happy to have the likes of KOBE-A 19yr old boy as a brother but I tell you if he turns out to do what Latrell has done, the eyes of the world would turn against him immediately and the psychologist would quickly find an answer that relates his attitude to his age and educational experience. Finally, I am happy to contribute this piece to this topic and I hope it will be a good weapon to those who wish to listen and to continue the every day battle of this world full of uncertainty. I am an African, Western part and inasmuch as I live here, we shall continue the fight to the end. God give us the strength,the guidance and the fortitude to bear any accrued loss in our journey to deliver the GOOD NEWS that we are all born by chance to wherever we find ourselves. No one chose to be born by the parents that gave birth to one. Talk less of where one was born. Then, why the hue and cry? I hail thee my country, my own native land.


Name: MARIA DICKENS
Email:
Response: I think that it is unfortunate for Latrell that his temper cost him his career, and I would love to ask him whether it was truly worth his hard work over the years. I feel that it it always an alternative to violent outbursts regardless of the situation. The coach's verbal abuse, at this point, is irrelevant. He's still coaching, and Latrell is now looking at issues such as where he'll be this time next year. Who really won in this situation? There are no winners, here. Anger is a monster, if it is not tamed.


Name: UnconcernedFortheRich
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: Not my concern. If this is some sports person, from basketball, or football, I'm sure the dude makes millions of dollars, and should be able to live quite comfortably on his salary, and possibly product endorsements, for a year. I on the other hand, struggle to survive paycheck-to-paycheck, and I have a daggone degree! So why should I care about some rich person being out of work for a year, when he will probably use the time to lay on a beach with his family, or if he's a Delmar/O.J. Simpson/Eddie Murphy, etc.-type, with his white mistress? Because he's Black? I don't THINK so! I'm sure the Brothah will be JUST fine, with or without my concerns or worries over his suspension.


Name:
Email: InI360
Response: It just strikes me funny that nobody is saying what was really said between the two. And I don't understand how they can take away about 30 million from a guy for a tussle. The white media makes it seem that the coach is small and frail like Van Gundy of N.Y. PJ is a big man and for them to say that spree man handled him around the gym is a bunch of b.s. But it just sends a message to our black bros that they will not allow us to put a hand on one of their white bros. We will see how they handle us when it comes to some kind of abuse directed at them from us. I will bet anything that if spree was white we wouldn't even be having this dicussion...


Name: TP
Email: TAMMIE_PETERS@OXY.COM
Response: WE ARE ONLY HEARING ONE SIDE OF THE STORY, BUT WHAT LATRELL DID WAS NOT RIGHT.


Name: Rick
Email: redlld@msn.com
Response: It appears to me that P.J. has a problem with blacks. Historically, in this country one's actions speaks louder than words. "It appears to me that only applies to minorities. This is not the first time P.J. has had a problem with a black basketball player. If only society was fair. If only everyone was judged by their character, and their actions, and not by the color of their skin..........Sprewell's actions were wrong, but when has "two wrongs made a right?" No one has mentioned what P.J.'s actions were. Now, the news media is praising P.J. for being the kind of coach he is instead of investigating P.J.'s actions. It should not matter if you are a coach, principal, teacher, etc. One cannot treat another human being the way [you] think he should be treated. Everyone has their own personality, and should be treated with respect.


Name: Kelli
Email: kellia@provo.netschools.net
Response: Seemingly unfair when compared with the non consequences of Carl Barkley's punch to the face of a white player. When an adult slugs a co-worker or boss, they deserve the consequences.


Name: Nnamdi Nzigha
Email:
Response: I think it's okay, as long as the same treatment will be applied to a white player.


Name: Sheree
Email: s@random.com
Response: The coach may very well be "highly confrontational" and disrepectful with his players, but brotherman should not have allowed this to jeopardize his million + contract/career. How ghetto can you be?


Name: Jacqueline Brown
Email: brownhaz@econs.umass.edu
Response: I say the brother is lucky to get off with only one year suspension. Our brothers in the athletic arena are doing very well. I know that it can be tough and racism is alive and well even in professional ball. But , please, the man gets paid quite well and it's a shame he can't handle his anger differently or at least more intelligently.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Solomon@memrain.org
Response: ...No big deal. And let's not make it a racial issue, since unsportsmanlike conduct, boorishness, and stupidity have nothing to do with race.


Name: A.C.
Email: jcook@asanet.com
Response: What is the real deal? So far only one side of the story has been told. What did P.J. do to provokeSprewells actions? If P.J. verbally abused Sprewell, then we must understand as people, that tempers will flare. Not condoning Sprewell's actions, but, all people react diffrently to certain situations. My point being, no coach has the right to treat a player with disrespect. This crap about inner city youths, coming into the NBA, and needing to be dealt with harshly needs to stop. Most of the African American players today, are educated, and this needs to be recognized. Sprewell's choking P.J., was not right, but we must get to the facts of this case. This and other situations can continue to occur, if coaches don't deal with their players as men.


Name: Nia
Email: NiaBWT@aol.com
Response: The suspension is legitimate. We all know physical violence is wrong, but hitting the coach intensifies the situation. As a former teacher, if a student hit me, that child probably would not be returning to a class I am in charge of. How can you work with and effectively communicate with a person who has struck you? Let alone coach him. He needs to be suspended to be reminded of how the world spins. Many have said it is because he is African-American. I am also and we must be mindful that African-American are sometimes wrong. Yes, often we unfairly recieve stiffer punishments, fines, etc. Knowing this, it is all the more reason to be cautious and careful. I think it is ironic that if Sprewell had hit his spouse/lover, and this person remained with him, it would have been "just for da money" or "Is she crazy? He hit her once. He will do it again." But, the coach is supposed to accept the abuse or risk it recurring? I do not think so. Sprewell lost 25 million, I believe. Well, he has 7 million. I hope he invests his resources wisely. His best investment would to be to invest in himself.


Name: GREG F.
Email: GMMONET@AOL.COM
Response: AS ADULTS WE MUST EXERCISE CONTROL IF WE ARE TO WIN AT LIFE. LIKE IT OR NOT. TO ME THE ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR PHYSICAL REACTION IS SELF DEFENSE FROM A PHYSICAL ATTACK. ONE YEAR MAYBE NOT ENOUGH. RUSSEL,DR J, MAGIC, ETC NEVER CONDUCTED THEMSELVES THAT WAY.


Name: teacher
Email: farrakhan@prodigy
Response: will he be allowed back in one year?


Name: Wayne
Email:
Response: "YES", he was wrong for what he did and if there was a problem with the coach and players, they should have done something before then.


Name: Rasta
Email: Rastanorm.murray1@sympatico.ca
Response: A structural anaysis of the NBA today will show that in the broad arena of sports world wide the NBA is probably the only league that can rightly be catagorized as a "plantation league". Clearly in the USA it is definitely the only professional sport where there is such racial division between those who have power and control and those who are being over-powered and are controled. Except for the money factor (and with this present issue we have seen how quickly that can dissipate or be erased) there is vivid comparison that can be made between Africans that laboured on the White Man's plantation during slavery and Africans who presently labour in the White oned and controlled NBA. We need to remember that the NBA was not always this way. In the 60's and early 70's the league was known as a White Man's league, with each team having a token Black player. The "plantation aspect did not evolve until later when Back players began to dominate the hardwood. Today, we see the odd White player starting for a major team. The Latrell Sprewell issue and many of the other sometime ridiculous fines and impositions on Black players need to be examine with this understanding and background. Then we can understand why it is easy for White broadcasters, reporters, owners, couches, NBA officials and David Stern to agree that there need to be a so call clean-up of NBA. Mr. Stern has moved forward his ruthless clean-up which is reminiscent of a Latin American dictator. This is easy for him since the players that affected are mostly Black. Can you for instance see a gag-order on players in the NHL or see a hockey player being fined $25,000 for wearing his shorts long, or even fined for defending himself in a bar. Watch-out America, the impositions are going to get more drastic.


Name: APAR
Email:
Response: IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A BLACK MAN CAN DO SOMETHING WRONG WITHOUT IT BEING "WHITEY'S" FAULT?! COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT LATRELL LOST HIS TEMPER AND PUNCHED ANOTHER MAN.?! I REGRESS MY FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WHY DON'T WE START TAKING ACTION FOR OURSELVES AND NOT THESE OVER-PRICED ATHLETE$ WHO DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US!! CAN I GET A WITNESS?!!


Name:
Email: beryhart@sprynet.com
Response: San Francisco Warrior guard Latrell Sprewell's one year suspension for allegedly beating up coach P.J. Carlesimo is...mild. What would have happened to you had you reacted to your supervisor in such a violent manner? Most of us would be looking for a new job--that is, after our jail time for assault and battery.


Name: Frank
Email: jerseyfrank@hotmail.com
Response: No one should get away with violence toward another person. If something insulting or hurtful was said, there are other ways of taking care of such things. If I were to choke my boss, I would be gone tomorrow. If it was provoked, I would probably get a suspension. I feel if the investigation shows such provocation, than he should get suspended. He's lucky the couch didn't press any charges.


Name: The Main Man From B-land, Now just , AJ in the O.A.K.
Email: johnsona@pacbell.com
Response: First of all, I live in the O.A.K. now and I think that they have put to much on it. The man lost it for a moment but is still going to get paid where ever he goes. He had to been pushed by something and the word here is that it is Upper Management. We all know that people show their real self after a while and goes with upper management and the players. Life goes on here in the O.A.K. Peace and Blessings!