Re: Webber's agent spins

[Shawn Roth <ufpdev!shawnr@uunet.uu.net>]

I do care if any NBA player lights up a blunt right before taking the court.
He is in the spotlight and as such is treated to a different standard.  They
choose their careers, no one is forcing them to play a game for millions. 
I do not want my pilot lighting up and I don't want NBA players lighting up.
As a fan I feel cheated if an athlete is not performing at his peak ability on 
a given day because he does something stupid like lighting up a joint.  I pay a
lot of money to see a NBA game, and I really don't want to waste it on a bunch 
of drowsy NBA players with the munchies.  I agree that NBA shouldn't have to
have special laws banning substances, but other professions do.  I work as a
computer programmer and I'm not allowed to smoke dope at my job.  Do I hold the
lives of millions in the balance?  No I hardly think so.  I'm sure at your job
you have similiar rules of conduct.  I would be punished/fired at my job if I 
smoked dope, so why not NBA players?

Shawn



Originally from Cecil Wright:
> 
> I believe you are misinterpreting this entire issue.  I'm talking about the
> numbers involved.  In a plane crash, there are usually a significant amount
> of lost lives.  In an automobile accident (and I don't even know why we are
> discussing Webber behind the wheel), there is far less probability of
> injuring tremendous amounts of people.
> 
> Webber is a basketball player.  His profession doesn't hinge on his being
> drug and alcohol free.  Maybe you think it should, but the fact remains, it
> doesn't.  Your Pilot, OTOH, does hinge on that factor, as well as others.
> 
> You are talking about Chris Webber the individual, not the basketball player
> when you mention him behind the wheel of a car.  This discussion was
> initially about drug testing in the NBA.  I stand behind my statement.  I
> could care less if Webber smokes pot right before he takes the court, but I
> do care if my Pilot lights up just before takeoff.
> 
> Cecil
>