Originally Posted by Gambit7

point is, "thuggish" is a relative term. When people hear thuggish they automatically think big, black dude with a gold grill. Fact is, there are thugs in every sport and of every color. And dont kid yourself, hockey is thuggish period; it attracts a certain type of person that's wants to play (heck, they invented a POSITION around it)... same with every sport. But, that doesnt mean that every player is thuggish obviously.

A thug is a person of low-class and intelligence who takes comfort in hurting other people. THAT's the def. of a true thug. The fact that people buy into the racially charged media-stereotype (mostly to sell music), is their own fault. I could bitch slap most of the "thugs" you see and make them cry home to momma.

Policing thyself is also not an excuse. and since when is basketball not a very physical sport?? Have you ever played basketball with 250+lb 7fters?

Anyways, back on-topic. The NBA largely these days is a joke. But, dont place blame on the players because in reality they're just paid employees. It starts at the top - always. And with basketball getting the lion's share of the media, everything it does is extra scrutinized.

I will agree with you about the stereotyping when the term "Thug" or "thuggish" is used but I will also say that the main stream African-Amercan athlete, rap or R&B artist hasn't done much to keep this stereotype from becoming associated with the African-American race. Whether it be by their actions or by the lyrics they write in the music they sing. I will also be honest that I am just as guilty of this. When I hear the word "thug" I immediately think of a black man and not a white man. But that doesn't mean I think all African-Americans are thugs. I also agree with you that there are "thugs" in every sport, heck look what Chris Pronger just did the other night! But I don't think that hockey is Thuggish.

Policing thyself has everything to do with it when it comes to any kind of physical sport. It's called ACCOUNTABILITY! You are accountable for your own actions and if you cross that line you will have to face those consequences. There is no hiding behind some stupid foul such as what Robert Horry did in the Suns/Spurs series. If someone takes a run at a star player on a team and plows him over he knows he's gonna have to face the consequences of his own actions. Not have to wait for some ruling by some white collered overpaid executive sitting behind a desk. That is what seperates hockey from the NBA, there's very few NBA players who accept the consequences for their actions. Besides, have you ever seen a NBA fight? They're pretty pathetic compared to a hockey fight.

I do have a few questions though, was it the NBA that started that Ron Artest fight with the Pistons/Pacers? Was it the NBA that went into the stands and got the fans involved? Why can't the players be blamed? Do you remember some of the idiotic things that were said by guys like Patrick Ewing during the NBA strike? Accountability, where is the accountability in the NBA?