I Respect This Game

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

April 1996

Anyone who watches the NBA knows the title is not exactly correct. The NBA's popular catch phrase of course is: "I Love This Game". Fans of the NBA love the game; but do the participants? I believe most, if not all, of the players do love the game.

Some people may argue: today's players love the money and fame the game brings them and I won't dispute that argument. However, I feel very confident when I say: "Many of today's players do not respect the game!"

I believe one can love someone or something and still not have respect for that same person or thing. Many players today lack respect for their teammates, coaches, opponents, fans, and refs; but they will still claim to love the game of basketball. This lack of respect will eventually erode the tremendous popularity the NBA presently possesses throughout the world.

A player who respects his teammates will not take shots at them in the media. The entire New York Knicks'; team regularly takes turns blasting each other in the New York press. Charles Oakley has subtly stated Patrick Ewing should stop shooting so much when he is having a miserable game. Anthony Mason has also said similar remarks about Ewing. Oakley has also questioned the toughness of his teammates on other occasions. Questioning a teammates' toughness? Charles Barkley's public tirades about former teammate Armon Gilliam are legendary throughout Philadelphia and the league.

I can cite myriads of examples of players showing disrespect to their coaches. Rod Strickland feuding with his coach P.J. Carlesimo. The feud between Kendall Gilland his former coach George Karl was a big factor in the Sonics' early exit last year. John Starks and the rest of the Knicks lost respect for coach Don Nelson because Starks and other teammates felt insulted by some of Nellie's remarks. Derrick Coleman and (Insert Name of Head Coach here) resulted in coaches losing their jobs and eventually Derrick getting traded to the bumbling 76ers. Coleman is now above 300 pounds, missed most of the season, while still collecting his paycheck. Donald Royal of the Magic refused Brian Hill's request to go into a game. Tim Hardaway's cussing out his now former coach Rick Adelman. Sadly, I could name many, many more incidents.

Any player who has respect for his opponent will not resort to throwing punches, elbows, or, the latest technique: head butts. If someone were to land a punch on a player, that player's career could be over, if not, drastically altered. Rudy Tomjanovich's career was never the same after Kermit Washington sucker punched him and literally broke Rudy's face. J. R. Reid's elbow to A.C. Green's jaw was a classless, premeditated act. Green lost weight because he could not eat. He has just recently begun playing ball without a protective mask.

Some players today have no respect for the referees. Dennis Rodman would not have head butted Tommy Bernhardt if he respected Tommy as a ref, man, or human being. The same goes for Nick Van Exel's elbow to Ronnie Garretson. The officials are the enforcers of the NBA's rules and regulations and they must never be disrespected! However, keep in mind, the officials cannot abuse the power which they have been given. Their power can be taken away from them just like Jake O'Donnell's. Players and officials today have to realize they are not more important than the game of basketball. The game was here before them and it most assuredly will be here after them.

Respecting a person does not mean you have to like him or her; just be tolerant of their different views, beliefs, and mores. After all, basketball is a small part of the world and our lives. Everyone makes mistakes including players. The important thing for players to do is to learn from their mistakes and be accountable for their actions.

I can honestly say, "I Love This Game"; however, and more importantly, I can say, "I Respect This Game" as well.