Apparently, Hard Fouls Await Grant and Tim

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

January 1999

There appears to be some animosity toward Detroit Pistons' star forward Grant Hill and San Antonio Spurs' star forward Tim Duncan for not speaking out during the lockout. Ill will may not be all the two players will face once the season begins. At least four All-Star-caliber players have made noises about taking out their anger on Hill and Duncan once play resumes next month.

"I feel sorry for Grant," one player said at a workout in Troy, Michigan. "They're going to be out to get him, and the four guys I talked to really meant it.

"Players with a lot to lose sacrificed a lot, and the sentiment is that the league is looking out for those two more so than most. They're going to take some shots. The feeling was that they could have been more involved in speaking out for the players association.

"This is a union thing. There won't be anything referees can do about it because they have a union."

"It's not a team-versus-team thing when guys will be going after Grant," the player said at the workout.

"They're going to be after him because they felt he didn't support the cause."

Give me a break!

As far as the sentiment that the "league is looking out for those two more so than most", no kidding! Now that MJ has retired, the league has to begin hitching its proverbial wagon to the ludicrous tag of the "next Jordan".

Karl Malone took shots at Duncan and Hill for not being at the Las Vegas meeting because he believed they should have been there as part of the united front the players' union was trying to present. The union was so united that two of Malone's own teammates, John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek were shouted down when they attempted to present a different viewpoint.

I suppose Jayson Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, and Hakeem Olajuwon better watch out as well since they spoke out against the union and forced union director Billy Hunter to make a deal.

I sure would like to see one of these unnamed stars go after Shaq!

Hill and Duncan are entitled to their opinions. If they wanted to remain silent, they shouldn't be chastised or threatened for remaining silent.

Their silence may have saved them embarrassment and ridicule for some of the comments made by Patrick Ewing who claimed the players were fighting for their "survival" or Alonzo Mourning who took the militant approach as well as the race card. And, of course, let's not forget Kenny Anderson, who was quoted saying, "If the lockout lasts much longer, I may have to sell one of my eight cars." Later, Kenny said he was only joking. Maybe so; but the damage had been done.

If certain players are upset at other players for not supporting the cause, that's their prerogative; however, threatening bodily harm is way over the line.

Apparently, some players don't like Grant and Tim being the future and they aren't. Guys, grow up.