Dear Kobe

[Anytime23]

Tim Hardaway was a bit different though. Didn't he say he hates homes and that it's wrong and it makes him sick? He's a legit homophobe.

Sucks for Kobe. ****** is such a common word these days. You call your straight friend who has a gf ****** because he beat you at NBA live or because he ate the last of your cheese itz. It doesn't even feel like a homo insult. Whatever, dudes got money and I highly doubt he regrets it.

 

[TopekaRoy]

Did Kobe actually use the word "f*gg*t?" I read online today that he said "you're f*cking ***," and I thought he should be fined for that. If he used the other "f" word, he deserves to be fined even more.

I am certain that his intent was not to imply that homosexuals are inferior to us normal people and you are one of them, but he shouldn't have said it anyway. For whatever reason "***" and "f****t" have become euphemisms for things we detest and that is not a position he should be reinforcing by example. If you ask someone to get you something and he says "Get it yourself. I ain't your N*gg*r," you could certainly understand why someone of African descent would be offended by that; even if they use the word among themselves in a different context. This is no different.

You're coming off like you work for the Rainbow Coalition.

The rainbow coalition is Rev. Jesse Jackson's political organization. It has nothing to do with homosexuals, dope.

You don't seem to understand that "freedom of speech" does not give anyone the right to say anything he wants anywhere at anytime. It is intended to protect dissent speech aimed at the government, but also allows individuals to express unpopular opinions without fear of reprisal. Still, you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater, you can't incite a riot, libel or slander, and if you are a professional athlete, you sign an agreement not to say things that put the league in a bad light or say things that will alienate a significant portion of your fan base.It's negotiated in the CBA and all players sign an agreement when they become members of the players union.

By the way, Kobe is not appealing the fine. He has already admitted he was wrong. He is appealing the amount of the fine. There is a huge difference. Appeals in cases like these (just like the death penalty) are pretty much automatic. He might get the fine reduced, but it won't go away because while the amount may be unjust, the fine is just.

 

[X]

I love how b/c of this, we feel like on this board, for the first time ever, we need to "******" the work "******" now...wtf guys? Stern get you, too?


EDIT: wow...forgive me for this post. I had not idea that ****** would be ***'s instead.
****** ****** ******.

yup...it works...good job, guys.


carry on.

 

[NealKleren]

Tim Hardaway was a bit different though. Didn't he say he hates homes and that it's wrong and it makes him sick? He's a legit homophobe.

Sucks for Kobe. ****** is such a common word these days. You call your straight friend who has a gf ****** because he beat you at NBA live or because he ate the last of your cheese itz. It doesn't even feel like a homo insult. Whatever, dudes got money and I highly doubt he regrets it.

Yeah thats what I mean. To me its more of a common word like every other cuss word today. The way Hardaway said it just seems bogus.

 

[NealKleren]

I love how b/c of this, we feel like on this board, for the first time ever, we need to "******" the work "******" now...wtf guys? Stern get you, too?


EDIT: wow...forgive me for this post. I had not idea that ****** would be ***'s instead.
****** ****** ******.

yup...it works...good job, guys.


carry on.

Haha I just started doing it after seeing everyone elses and was just used to reading them like that every post lol.

 

[Rush]

I don't care that he said it either. I use ****** interchangeable with swearing at somebody. However I can fully see why he was fined and why it was deserved. Im not chastising him for it, just the people who say he shouldn't have been fined.

 

[NealKleren]

I don't care that he said it either. I use ****** interchangeable with swearing at somebody. However I can fully see why he was fined and why it was deserved. Im not chastising him for it, just the people who say he shouldn't have been fined.

Oh I agree. I thought he should be fined as well. I agree with your argument about people trying to say he shouldn't have been fined and I don't get how people can say he shouldn't be fined when its on live television with a whole bunch of people watching the game.

 

[Rush]

"brb let me just go grab kobe bryant's contract"

It's a policy through out the entire league which is universal. Unless Kobe has a non-*** clause, which means he can call anybody a *** he wants in said contract.

 

[Uman85]

"brb let me just go grab kobe bryant's contract"

It's a policy through out the entire league which is universal. Unless Kobe has a non-*** clause, which means he can call anybody a *** he wants in said contract.

Haha! Non-*** clause. I like that. :lmao:

 

[TopekaRoy]

Now this whole player conduct policy. I've already spoken on that. I doubt very much that the contract specifically says players will be fined 100k for calling someone a f aggot at the work place. If it does, then the fine is okay. But you need to show me specifically in the contract where the insult and amount are listed.

Don't be ridiculous. It would be impossible to list every specific word or groups of words that cannot be said and every context in which something can or cannot be said. The contract covers situations that a "reasonable" person would find inappropriate.

I will point out the contract puts an upper limit of $35,000 on the fine amount, so I don't think the $100k amount will stick.

Dammit. It's a pdf file so I can't copy and paste!

Section 8 On-Court Conduct

In addition to its authority under paragraph 5 of the Uniform Player Contract, the NBA is entitled to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules governing the conduct of players on the playing court that do not violate the provisions of this agreement.

CBA page 46

EXHIBIT A

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
UNIFORM PLAYER CONTRACT​

5. CONDUCT.

(b)The player agrees ... (iii) to conduct himself on and off the court according to the highest standards of honesty, citizenship and sportsmanship, and (iv) not to do anything that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of the Team or the League.

(d) The Player agrees to be bound by article 35 of the NBA Constitution. a copy of which, as in effect on the date of this contract, is attached hereto.

https://www2.bc.edu/~yen/Sports/NBA%20CBA.pdf page 183

EXCERPT FROM NBA CONSTITUTION

MISCONDUCT​

(C) Any player who makes, gives, issues, authorizes or endorses any statement having, or designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or the Association or of a Member or its Team, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $25,000 to be imposed by the Commissioner

(d) If on the opinion of the Commissioner any other act of a Player at or during an Exhibition, Regular Season or Playoff game has been prejudicial to or against the best interests of the Association or the game of basketball, the Commissioner shall impose upon such player a fine not exceeding $35,000, or may order for a time the suspension of any such Player from any connection or duties with Exhibition, Regular Season or Playoff games or he may order both such fine and suspension.

https://www2.bc.edu/~yen/Sports/NBA%20CBA.pdf page 187

Ask your mommy if she knows anyone who is reasonable and can explain to you why an NBA superstar calling a ref a "f*cking f*ggot" on national television in front of millions of viewers, including children and homosexuals is "detrimental or prejudicial" to the best interests of the NBA.

 

[Rush]

It's very....very detrimental to the league. It isn't about homosexuals not watching anymore, it's about the face of the NBA acting like a dumbass. All of a sudden, children who emulate him and want to be like him are given the idea that it's ok to just call anybody a fucking ***.

Children emulate.

 

[TopekaRoy]

First of all it's 25,000, not 35,000, dip. This just proves my point even further that the commish just goes around willy nilly assigning fines and suspensions without precedent.

Yes it is $35,000. Click on the link, go to page 187 and re-read paragraph (d). Again it says,

the Commissioner shall impose upon such player a fine not exceeding $35,000.

And you question my ability to read?

You said the Commissioner had no right to impose a fine on Kobe for his "free speech." Now you are quibbling over the amount of the fine?

So I guess I won that argument, right?

 

[TopekaRoy]

Hawks4realz, just admit it so we can move on.

A) You hate homosexuals, so
B) you think it is okay to insult someone by calling him a *** or a fagg*t. And
C) You don't think Kobe should get fined for doing something that you yourself would do.

Confession is good for the soul.

 

[Gunzaan]

Wow, a TON of overreaction in this thread.

*** = cigarette in England.

*** = pussy, sissy, wimp in America to most normal people.

Disgusting homesexual POS = bigotry.

*** is used all the time in real-life conversation in this country. Kobe, whom I don't like, was calling the ref a pussy.

This country is sooooo oversensitive. He called the ref a pussy.

And I have no idea wtf homosexuals you guys know, but most of my ex's friends are ***. My next-door-neighbor for 3 years of college was a male homo. I have been to quite a few *** bars to appease them. I think 1 out of 100 of them gave a flying **** about sports, so let's calm down on the talk of homos watching sports.

Stern did this so he wouldn't have GLA (Akin to the craziness of PETA) pounding on his door and having visible protests.

This is such a non-issue that it's funny. You can call me homophobic if you want, but as stated, I have many friendly relationships with homos. Most of the ones that I know would laugh at this.

Anyone that is upset with Kobe calling the ref a ****** is contributing to the decline of this society and free speech in general. Get off your high-horse and worry about your own life.

 

[Rush]

Fantastic post. I guess there are 2 people with common sense around here.

I agree with that entire post.

However doesn't change the fact Kobe is a fucking idiot for calling the ref that and spawning this entire situation.

Nowhere was anybody arguing against the actual use of the word or what it truly means as a whole to society. We're arguing over the logic behind the fine and WHY he was fined.

 

[Rush]

C) I don't think the commish should have the right to fine a player for simply calling someone else a name. That is petty and childish.

Player Conduct Policy.

Players in the NBA are upheld to a higher standard then dumbasses at the YMCA playing pick-up games. He is a millionaire.....dude should act like one. Dwight Howard has the most technical fouls in the NBA, I have yet to see any stories about him calling referee's "fucking ******s".

You may not agree with the policy or that he should be able to fine whoever he wants, but when it's clearly written in the player conduct policy, you cannot argue against it.

 

[Rush]

I agree the general sentiment of just calling somebody a *** (equating to a pussy) is a non-issue.

Not when it's the face of the NBA on Live TV with the eyes of a nation upon his every move.

 

[Rush]

Stern did this so he wouldn't have GLA (Akin to the craziness of PETA) pounding on his door and having visible protests.

Fantastic post. I guess there are 2 people with common sense around here.

My point was that the commish violates his own policy code. How can anyone say he can do whatever he wants when he doesn't even adhere to his own rules? How pathetic is that?

Stern isn't violating any rules, he's doing this to avoid the shitty publicity the league is getting.

 

[Rush]

So you're telling me that it's okay to fine Kobe because he's one of the best players in the NBA, but it wouldn't be okay to fine Keith Bogans?

Where in my post did I outline that less talented players were an exception to the rule?

It's such a huge deal because of who he is. A player like Keith Bogans would still get press for doing this however I highly doubt TMZ would be reporting on the issue. Kobe Bryant doing this hurts the league a whole lot more then it would if had it been Bogans.

 

[Rush]

It is NOT clearly written in the policy. I ask once again for you to point out where it says that a player can not call a ref a f aggot. And if it is in there, please tell me what the listed penalty and fine is. I'm guessing you won't be able to do this.

Simply saying that any act is detrimental is entirely too vague and if Kobe wanted to take this to court (which he won't), he would win this within 30 minutes.

The constitution doesn't say I can't mutilate my neighbor and **** his dead corpse, but that doesn't mean it's allowed.