Other Sports Can an NBA team be too white? - Page 4

Deberg_1990 · 11-01-2012, 12:32 PM

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish...lves-too-white

Are Minnesota Timberwolves Too White?

Minnesota Timberwolves fans may notice something different about their team this year. In a league in which American-born black players made up 75 percent of roster spots in 2011, the Timberwolves will have an opening-day roster comprising just 33 percent black players (five out of 15).

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, this year's squad will be the league's whitest since the 1980s Boston Celtics.

Is that a problem?

Some civil rights leaders in Minneapolis think so. Tyrone Terrell, chairman of St. Paul's African American leadership council, told the Star-Tribune that he thinks the unbalanced roster could be seen as a ploy by the ownership to sell the team to a majority-white fan base.

"How did we get a roster that resembles the 1955 Lakers?" Terrell said to the Star-Tribune. "I think everything is a strategy. Nothing happens by happenstance."

Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn called the allegations "patently false."

Indeed, while the team lacks as many African-American players as most other squads, the Timberwolves are still quite diverse. Five of their ten white players were born outside of the United States.

Brandon Roy, projected to be the team's only black starter, says the color of his teammates doesn't faze him.

"It's just basketball," Roy said. "I never really had to feel like I'm the only black guy out here. I've played on teams that maybe had all black guys and the feeling is just the same when I'm out there on the floor playing with these guys."

Ron Edwards, a longtime Minneapolis civil rights advocate, told the Star-Tribune that it was "somewhat disturbing" when he saw a game last season in which Wes Johnson was the only black player on the floor for the Timberwolves. The composition of this season's roster has prompted Edwards to react even stronger.

"It raises some real questions to me about what's really intended," Edwards said. "I think, personally, that it was calculated. Is this an attempt to get fans back in the stands? Minnesota, after all, is a pretty white state.''

Edwards added that the Timberwolves' roster decisions are a "nullification of diversity and a reversal of history."

Kahn said the Timberwolves targeted two black players as free agents during the summer. But Portland matched Minnesota's offer to Nicolas Batum, and Jordan Hill opted to re-sign with the Lakers at less money for a better chance to win a championship.

"What if Batum and Hill were here?" Kahn said.

**RealSNR** · 11-01-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I dont get the context of this...what does the N stand for?

Something tells me Calcountry won't explain his joke if asked to

vailpass · 11-01-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I dont get the context of this...what does the N stand for?

You know exactly what it stands for.

Nubian

L.A. Chieffan · 11-01-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calcountry

Really? This is the N B A we are talking about.

Mr. Laz · 11-01-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute

Out of all of the jokes about black people and all of the racism geared towards black people it's funny to see some in here get upset about this.

Black people are probably the most racism group in the U.S.

imo Japanese lead the world in racism but Blacks hate whites,puerto ricans,gays,jewish. Hell they even hate light vs dark skin african americans.
Come to think about it i'm not sure they don't hate just about anyone that's not black.

Sort of ironic that every other second african american cry racism about just about anything when they are racist as hell.

KCrockaholic · 11-01-2012, 05:29 PM

This is ****ing stupid. Ignorant stupid shit. People that seriously look at this as a problem need to ****in die.

And if someone said a hockey team was too black, all hell would break loose.

Deberg_1990 · 11-01-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

Black people are probably the most racism group in the U.S.

imo Japanese lead the world in racism but Blacks hate whites,puerto ricans,gays,jewish. Hell they even hate light vs dark skin african americans.
Come to think about it i'm not sure they don't hate just about anyone that's not black.

Sort of ironic that every other second african american cry racism about just about anything when they are racist as hell.

Love how you just label all blacks as the most racist. Not all blacks worship at the altar of Al and Jesse, regardless of what the media wants you to believe.

**Easy 6** · 11-01-2012, 05:50 PM

I doubt even sharpton is ridiculous enough to back these two "leaders" views.

Valiant · 11-01-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I saw some article a couple of years ago that I thought was really interesting.

It mentioned the NBA as an example of cultural bias, and linked it to lower school test scores among minorities.

There are a fair number of white NBA players, but the vast majority are non-American. At the time of the article, I think it said there was only one white American in the league (or one white American starter, something like that). However, there were a fair number of foreign white people.

The article made the comment that white Americans are culturally infused with the notion that blacks are better at basketball, so they give up easily and don't have the persistence to succeed at an elite level, because they feel that they have an inherent disadvantage. White foreigners don't have the same issue, so they soldier on and do just fine.

The article then said something like, "Do you see the parallel between this and lower standardized test scores for blacks and Hispanics?"

I thought it was an interesting observation in how people internalize societal expectations.

That is interesting.. We were talking about it today at the gym playing bball.. About kids growing up from the 80s to 90s thinking black people are better athletes in bball/fball because of color.. Everyone agreed, even the black guys that a lot of people are that way..

It is slowly chipping away..

Psyko Tek · 11-01-2012, 08:13 PM

can anybody give a **** about the NBA until February?

ShowtimeSBMVP · 12-20-2012, 08:48 PM

14-11 Just beat the Thunder

**RealSNR** · 12-20-2012, 08:58 PM

Just barely beat the Thunder when Kevin Martin wasn't playing. Reggie Jackson was good as his replacement.... not.

I'll take it, but this white team needs to learn how to play smarter basketball. When we're 100% healthy we'll see if anything changes, but so far I doubt it.

I'm predicting playoffs as a 6/7/8 seed for Minnesota like I did at the beginning of the season. This is going to be one of those "Maybe next year" kind of seasons to see if they can improve to really swing the vanilla penis around in the western conference.

okcchief · 12-20-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Just barely beat the Thunder when Kevin Martin wasn't playing. Reggie Jackson was good as his replacement.... not.

I'll take it, but this white team needs to learn how to play smarter basketball. When we're 100% healthy we'll see if anything changes, but so far I doubt it.

I'm predicting playoffs as a 6/7/8 seed for Minnesota like I did at the beginning of the season. This is going to be one of those "Maybe next year" kind of seasons to see if they can improve to really swing the vanilla penis around in the western conference.

You'll have your vanilla and chocolate Peni. Your ying and yang.

11-01-2012, 12:32 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Can an NBA team be too white? http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish...lves-too-white Are Minnesota Timberwolves Too White? Minnesota Timberwolves fans may notice something different about their team this year. In a league in which American-born black players made up 75 percent of roster spots in 2011, the Timberwolves will have an opening-day roster comprising just 33 percent black players (five out of 15). According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, this year's squad will be the league's whitest since the 1980s Boston Celtics. Is that a problem? Some civil rights leaders in Minneapolis think so. Tyrone Terrell, chairman of St. Paul's African American leadership council, told the Star-Tribune that he thinks the unbalanced roster could be seen as a ploy by the ownership to sell the team to a majority-white fan base. "How did we get a roster that resembles the 1955 Lakers?" Terrell said to the Star-Tribune. "I think everything is a strategy. Nothing happens by happenstance." Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn called the allegations "patently false." Indeed, while the team lacks as many African-American players as most other squads, the Timberwolves are still quite diverse. Five of their ten white players were born outside of the United States. Brandon Roy, projected to be the team's only black starter, says the color of his teammates doesn't faze him. "It's just basketball," Roy said. "I never really had to feel like I'm the only black guy out here. I've played on teams that maybe had all black guys and the feeling is just the same when I'm out there on the floor playing with these guys." Ron Edwards, a longtime Minneapolis civil rights advocate, told the Star-Tribune that it was "somewhat disturbing" when he saw a game last season in which Wes Johnson was the only black player on the floor for the Timberwolves. The composition of this season's roster has prompted Edwards to react even stronger. "It raises some real questions to me about what's really intended," Edwards said. "I think, personally, that it was calculated. Is this an attempt to get fans back in the stands? Minnesota, after all, is a pretty white state.'' Edwards added that the Timberwolves' roster decisions are a "nullification of diversity and a reversal of history." Kahn said the Timberwolves targeted two black players as free agents during the summer. But Portland matched Minnesota's offer to Nicolas Batum, and Jordan Hill opted to re-sign with the Lakers at less money for a better chance to win a championship. "What if Batum and Hill were here?" Kahn said.
Posts: 66,914

11-01-2012, 05:29 PM	#50
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4822900	This is **ing stupid. Ignorant stupid shit. People that seriously look at this as a problem need to **in die. And if someone said a hockey team was too black, all hell would break loose.
Posts: 21,132

11-01-2012, 05:50 PM	#52
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3817775	I doubt even sharpton is ridiculous enough to back these two "leaders" views.
Posts: 91,581

11-01-2012, 08:13 PM	#54
Psyko Tek special teams Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mesa AZ Casino cash: $10015665	can anybody give a **** about the NBA until February? __________________ Psyko Tek The keyboard has been drinking,
Posts: 12,018

12-20-2012, 08:48 PM	#55
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $3726009	14-11 Just beat the Thunder
Posts: 23,752

12-20-2012, 08:58 PM	#56
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $2450208	Just barely beat the Thunder when Kevin Martin wasn't playing. Reggie Jackson was good as his replacement.... not. I'll take it, but this white team needs to learn how to play smarter basketball. When we're 100% healthy we'll see if anything changes, but so far I doubt it. I'm predicting playoffs as a 6/7/8 seed for Minnesota like I did at the beginning of the season. This is going to be one of those "Maybe next year" kind of seasons to see if they can improve to really swing the vanilla penis around in the western conference.
Posts: 90,270