I don't want this to come off as a counterpoint, but rather a question-isn't the stat line there simply to signify how important the player is? All the focus must be on the domestic violence, but should we ignore what it means from a basketball perpective completely? The focus must be on the domestic violence, but a comment in passing about what it means for the player's career is warranted (I think), considering basketball is the reason we know about it in the first place. Would love to hear your thoughts.
The importance/implied "value" of an athlete has and should have no bearing on allegations and instances of assault and abuse or how we contextualize them. It isn't a spectrum. Violence isn't mitigated because someone is good at their job. I did link out to a piece I wrote about this, but if you missed it and are interested, https://basketballfeelings.substack.com/p/abolish-the-stat-line
I'm not exactly sure I take your point, but I've written about Becky Hammon here before and as someone who's had the pretty great pleasure of interviewing her a few times and talking about this exact thing, I don't think she'd consider her experience singular, or greater, vs those of other women.
Beaten the odds against a woman being a head coach in the NBA. Certainly there were a lot of people hoping so. But maybe she never wanted to. You know about that better than I. Personally I think the future of coaching in the NBA is black males.
Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading, Tony.
Heartbreaking but, as usual, beautifully said.
Thank you Emile.
I don't want this to come off as a counterpoint, but rather a question-isn't the stat line there simply to signify how important the player is? All the focus must be on the domestic violence, but should we ignore what it means from a basketball perpective completely? The focus must be on the domestic violence, but a comment in passing about what it means for the player's career is warranted (I think), considering basketball is the reason we know about it in the first place. Would love to hear your thoughts.
The importance/implied "value" of an athlete has and should have no bearing on allegations and instances of assault and abuse or how we contextualize them. It isn't a spectrum. Violence isn't mitigated because someone is good at their job. I did link out to a piece I wrote about this, but if you missed it and are interested, https://basketballfeelings.substack.com/p/abolish-the-stat-line
I imagine that Becky Hammon thought she had beaten the odds, but now she’s a top coach in the WNBA. I would be so curious to hear her comparisons.
I'm not exactly sure I take your point, but I've written about Becky Hammon here before and as someone who's had the pretty great pleasure of interviewing her a few times and talking about this exact thing, I don't think she'd consider her experience singular, or greater, vs those of other women.
Beaten the odds against a woman being a head coach in the NBA. Certainly there were a lot of people hoping so. But maybe she never wanted to. You know about that better than I. Personally I think the future of coaching in the NBA is black males.
Heartbreaking. Love your perspective as always
Thanks so much, Jamie.