Dennis, why do we care what you say?

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

June 1997

The entire country, seemingly, has been up in arms over Chicago Bulls' forward Dennis Rodman's disparaging remarks about Mormons. NBA Commissioner David Stern fined Rodman a league record $50,000 for the remarks. What is wrong with our society when someone whose opinion or statements shouldn't matter to anyone walking cause such an uproar?

First, and foremost, let me be very clear: what Dennis said was wrong, tasteless, rude, and insensitive. However, did anyone notice on the tape of the locker room interview that at least one of the reporters is laughing very loudly at Dennis' remarks? What about him? Why hasn't he received a public flogging? Did he get fired for laughing at such a rude, insensitive remark? As of date, I don't think so.

When Dennis Rodman was a basketball player and not just the game's best rebounder (you know when he was a Detroit Piston), he hardly received any recognition whatsoever. What has caused such a dramatic turn in his popularity? When Dennis was found asleep in his truck outside of the Palace of Auburn Hills where the Pistons play, with a shotgun in the back, the national media paid no attention to him. Now that the media has made Rodman a recognizable face and name, we are flooded with his whereabouts at all hours of the night and morning.

I don't care what Dennis does off the court. If he wants to party 'til the wee hours, then let him. If his game suffers, and as a result, his team suffers as a result, then there is a problem. I am not condoning, in anyway, what Dennis said; however, let he or she who is without sin, cast the first stone.

After all, if there are no reporters, microphones, or tape recorders around, does Dennis make a sound when he speaks?