[kel varson]

AOL sports writer, not sure if he still writes for the Kansas City Star, Jason Whitlock has some harsh words.

Here's a snippet, the full article is below:

"NBA All-Star Weekend in Vegas was an unmitigated failure, and any thoughts of taking the extravaganza to New Orleans in 2008 are total lunacy.

All-Star Weekend can no longer remain the Woodstock for parolees, wannabe rap artists and baby's mamas on tax-refund vacations

This was not a byproduct of the game being held in Vegas. All-Star Weekend has been on this path for the past five or six years. Every year the event becomes more and more a destination for troublemakers."

http://sports.aol.com/whitlock/_a/mayhe ... 3009990001


Just my two cents, but I think Whitlock is on the right track. At least there is more scoring these days. I used to love the NBA, but the last 5 years or so I have really lost interest. What say you?

[El Scorcho]

I think he's on the right track as well, and I read an article earlier today about a movie that hopes to explore some of what's behind all of this.

The article is about a documentary called "Beyond Beats and Rhymes" and you can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/37jszt

[thepostman]

having the all star game in Las Vegas was a bad idea all around....and having it in New Orleans next year will be almost as bad....not a good idea to go to cities known for their partying when you are trying to improve the nba image....good move david stern

[Fumblerooskies]

Man who lay in bed with dogs...
...get fleas.

Was it not only a few short years ago that the NBA tried to market itself to the rap and hip hop culture?

[LUconn]

I don't know what this is about and I haven't read the article, but Whitlock is probably the worst sports "journalist" out there. I can't stand that guy.

[RubberMallet]

I don't know what this is about and I haven't read the article, but Whitlock is probably the worst sports "journalist" out there. I can't stand that guy.

jason whitlock is a turd....horrible writer and i immediately turn off pti if hes guest hosting..

[Fumblerooskies]

All the Whitlock bashing aside...
...the man makes an excellent point.

[jmdickens]

yeah, that is true....don't ignore the issue by bashing Whitlock

Now, I am very happy there is an age limit.....the younger, the more immature.

Also, the hip hop culture in sports is always negative and it doesn't have to be that way. It is just the marketing for rap and everythig else hip hop has just puts such an emphasis on the thug life......well wannabe thug life

[RubberMallet]

ok, fine, as much as it pained me i went back and read it

uhh...the nba allstar game has always been pointless...nobody ever cared about this game....the same can be said about any allstar game...good call there, howbout you go have another salami sandwich and leave the writing to people who actually know how to do it...

all the violence and stuff...ITS VEGAS...GUESS WHAT IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY THERE....now add a zillion celebrities and rap artists and you can count on a few more things happening...

oh and great job convincing us of the downfall of the nba by telling us about a NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER GETTING INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING.....

his article is just blah blah blah ....i've heard it before, "the nba is to thuggish blah blah blah"

hello jason whitlock, welcome to the nba...its been thuggish for almost 10 years now...i'm glad you are just now noticing.....probalby why you write for the Kansas City Star

[Sly Fox]

First off, the writer is a clown that I've had significant familiarity with for about 15 years covering the Big XII. That said, even a broken clock is right twice a day. And the alarm just went off for his morning brilliance.

I've covered several NBA All-Star Games over the years ... the most recent coming 12 months ago here in Houston. Suffice it to say that what he described is not far off the mark from what I witnessed. The vent has grown into a National Thug Convention. I would discourage anyone from EVER taking their kids to one of these weekends. I honestly felt concerned for not only my safety but any women at last year's event. I can only imagine how out of control things would be in Vegas or even moreso next year in the French Quarter.

[Hold My Own]

He's always felt this way "goes against the grain" or what you'd expect...I like that...I cant stand him on PTI though

[RubberMallet]

i would like to reiterate how much of a retard jason whitlock is

[Ed Dantes]

It's not Vegas, it's not the NBA, it's the culture that these athletes have been brought up in, and that they glorify. Do you think that maybe, there's a connection between events like the Vegas All-Star game, the Pistons vs. Pacers brawl from two years ago, and the rising crime rates w/in urban America?

How is this not addressed?

Even worse, how is this connection not even made? Months after the Pistons vs. Pacers brawl, ESPN the Magazine had fawning cover story about hip hop in the NBA, and just mentioned about how great it was -- with not one word about the negative aspects, such as creating a thug culture.

Gimme a break.

[El Scorcho]

It's not Vegas, it's not the NBA, it's the culture that these athletes have been brought up in, and that they glorify. Do you think that maybe, there's a connection between events like the Vegas All-Star game, the Pistons vs. Pacers brawl from two years ago, and the rising crime rates w/in urban America?

How is this not addressed?

Even worse, how is this connection not even made? Months after the Pistons vs. Pacers brawl, ESPN the Magazine had fawning cover story about hip hop in the NBA, and just mentioned about how great it was -- with not one word about the negative aspects, such as creating a thug culture.

Gimme a break.

The article is about a documentary called "Beyond Beats and Rhymes" and you can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/37jszt

You'd definitely be interested in that.

[flameshaw]

I don't know or care anything about hip-hop culture, thugs, etc. The pro game has sucked for many years as far as I am concerned. Personally, you couldn't pay me $1000 to sit at halfcourt next to Jack Nicholson, if I had to watch the game. Can't put my finger on it exactly, but i think it has to do with how much the players are paid and how pampered they are now days, for playing a game.

Not exactly sure why I don't feel as strongly about the other sports, maybe it is becuase they have longer seasons (baseball), or hockey and football are tougher physically.

[RubberMallet]

thats hilarious, the nba game is really really good right now, i'll take it anyday over the college game

[LUconn]

pfff, any sport that has more than 30 regular season games and a series based playoffs is worthless. That makes each individual regular season game meaningless and virtually no upsets in the post season. I won't even bring into it the MJ/Dwayne Wade reffing treatment, or the "continuation" rule.

[BJWilliams]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

[Libertine]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

Your point being?

[TDDance234]

The college game is by far the most exciting, esp. during March Madness. You don't play at the top of your game, you're going home, which means in any given situation-- any team, from any conference, can win.

[LUconn]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

We have a winner!

[BJWilliams]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

Your point being?

Well then a lot of sports are worthless to him. I personally like seeing the long seasons. It gives plenty of time for good story lines to develop. And I wouldn't say that there are no upsets at all when there is a series based post season, I mean both sides still put their clothes on the same way...its really just a psychological issue. LUConn you are welcome to have the opinion you do, and Im welcome to disagree with it

[RubberMallet]

pfff, any sport that has more than 30 regular season games and a series based playoffs is worthless. That makes each individual regular season game meaningless and virtually no upsets in the post season. I won't even bring into it the MJ/Dwayne Wade reffing treatment, or the "continuation" rule.

you don't even want me going into my ncaa tourney rant again. March madness is the best thing going i completely agree. i love it. but its still stupid.

your comment in bold is exactly how i feel about college basketball.

and i'm not talking about the leagues and their scheduling/playoff systems i'm talking about the game of basketball.

[RubberMallet]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

We have a winner!

so you are saying college football is better than the nfl???

*cradles head in palm of hands awaiting answer*

[LUconn]

Id go on record as saying you just deemed every sport with the exception of college sports, and the NFL as worthless

We have a winner!

so you are saying college football is better than the nfl???

*cradles head in palm of hands awaiting answer*

No, in this particular case we have the exception to the rule. Less games makes each game more important, but when you have over 100 teams and a 10 game season they've overdone the short season aspect. You lose once and you have little chance at an NC. Don't even get me started on the rankings being included in the formula. Really, I don't even like college football as a whole. I like to watch individual games because I like the sport, and I like to keep tabs on individual players for drafting reasons, but everything else I refuse to be a fan of.

(for Medic's sake, I was speaking about FBS)