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Originally Posted by Nittany Dodgers
Ray Lewis was demonised for the trial and his actions. His reputation was smeared with discovery of the video he was in and all that. His promotion by the league took a dip for a year or two. Since then, he's kept his nose clean and by all accounts has been a model citizen. AI may have stayed out of jail, but he rails against his coaches, complains about practice and is just a plain old thug.
There are plenty of NBA superstars who do not come from the hood; Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, the list goes on an on. NBA marketing is not dictated by the source of their players, it is a conscious decision to use the image of the players it does.
And seriously, if I have to answer the question of what is wrong is the gangsta image, I'm going to bail on this conversation. I'm already in more than enough irrational debates.
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AI had beef with Brown, but now that he's matured he loves him and shows him respect and if anyone can afford to miss practice it is Iverson who gives up his body dozens of plays a game, everytime he drives into the lane. He gets body slammed by PF and Centers. If Steve McNair can miss practice to heal injuries and start in games.... why can't Iverson coast through practice? McNair is lauded for his toughness, Iverson's get overlooked by people scared of what is not the same as them.
And labeling Iverson as a plain old thug is the kind of mentality I'm talking about. You can't fault a guy for dressing the way he does. Because you surely don't mean AI's actions label him as a thug, because that means you MUST label Ray Lewis as one. He's involved in a murder.... has Iverson?
Disrespect coaches? Not anymore... and ask any Jim O'Brien is a stupid coach. AI wasn't the only one who was unstaisfied. Doesn't respect authority? What's the latest incidence of that?
If you look beyond the tattoos, baggy clothing, and speech (a product of an environment, they have no control over and setup to live in for eternity, that's another topic) you would see a person who has matured into a family man.
Also if you don't remember AI was one of the FIRST NBA SUPERSTARS to volunteer himself to play in the Olympics while others shied away.
AND LIKE I SAID THE NBA DOESN'T PROMOTE A GANSTER IMAGE! What proof is there other than promoting their superstars who dress the way they've always dressed? Oh yah I forgot about seeing Steve Nash, Manu Ginobli, Yao Ming, and Dirk Nowitzki to go along with Tim Duncan, Shaq, KG, Ray Allen, and the like.
Oh yah and damn that gangster music the NBA plays... Damn Black Eyed Peas and "Let's Get it Started!" never heard anything more gangster than that! DAMN THEM! I want Leanne Rimes!!