Sunday, January 3, 2010

Basketball's Thug Culture

Two stories: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4791168
And: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4791395
Basketball from the college to pro ranks have a thug culture. High school, in the urban areas are close on their tails.
I don't necessarily blame the athletes. They are babied and are allowed to get away anything from Jr. high on up, as long as they have size and talent.
I have taught at several schools where high school athletes are allowed to get away anything- from skipping class to breaking school rules, with administration and teachers looking a blind eye to their actions.
I taught with a basketball coach in Milwaukee who's curriculum consisted of watching basketball games on video, while the coach prepared for the next game. Yup, kids come first.
So, it comes as no surprise that players act thuggish. No one has set rules for them, set standards or applied consequences for bad behavior for the athletes. It doesn't matter what race- I've seen it for black or white athletes.
So, when an athlete, especially a basketball player, misbehaves, look at the history of them, from Jr. High School on.

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