A Sports fan’s lament: Part I
What’s going on with sports today? The big three sports each have a huge story that breaking into the national spotlight and none of them are good. There are good things happening that should be spotlighted but are getting overshadowed by the negative. Here’s part one of a rundown of what you probably already know about the bad and the good that should be broadcast.
Basketball
What you know: NBA referee Tim Donaghy was accused by the FBI of betting on professional basketball games including ones that he officiated. There have even been whispers about mob ties. His neighbors say that he was a loner and didn’t get along with anybody. This is slowly turning into an episode of The Sopranos. NBA commish David Stern said that he thinks Donaghy is a “rogue, isolated criminal.” Stern better hope that this is an isolated incident or the entire league (which has already seen it’s share of trouble from Kobe “I made a mistake” Bryant and Carmelo “suckerpunch” Anthony) could come crashing down on him.
What you should know: Houston Rockets center Yao Ming was harassed by his native Chinese government for reporting late to national team training. He was told that “No matter how sweet personal life is, it can’t be compared to the exultation of capturing glory for one’s nation.” I’m sorry, Yao should have known better than to plan his wedding during the NBA offseason. You know, the NBA that pays him millions of dollars a year to play the exact same game that you’re asking him to play for nothing. And as for Yao taking time to visit children at the Special Olympics? “No matter how lofty public welfare activities are, they can’t be allowed to take first place in a player’s life,” the Chinese newspaper is quoted as saying. Yao is using his global appeal and genuinely good guy image to do good things and all the government can do is whine and complain that he’s not at a friggin’ practice?! Screw the Chinese government. Yao is one of the few good apples in the NBA. He has never been arrested and he’s not creating babies with various women all over the globe. He’s a good guy trying to do the right thing. The Chinese government needs to lay off. He’ll be there and he’ll be ready. Until then, let him be. Just let him be.
