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I don't see how it makes sense when it isn't a racist remark, unless it is a racist remark.
"The Celtics are probably the only team in the NBA with not one foreign import on their roster. OK, what does that mean? Well, in this instance, especially judging by how the Celtics just manhandled the Lakers, I would say hunger, pride and toughness."
This is how Eddie Johnson starts his hoopshype.com blog column about why the Celtics won the le this year. There is a spirited debate in the comments section responding to the article. It's a very subtle and shaded thing that Johnson is saying, but I've always thought he had a chip on his shoulder regarding foreign players.
Last edited by Tully365; 06-20-2008 at 04:20 PM. Reason: Better choice of words
I don't see how it makes sense when it isn't a racist remark, unless it is a racist remark.
I honestly can't see how its racist.
Sorry.
xenophobic maybe? but probably not.
Racist? Unknown.
Xenophobic? Probably.
Utterly stupid considering the Spurs' past three championships?
Definitely.
It may be blatant "homerism", but is aint a racist remark.
Must be why American players dominated all those recent WC's and Olympics games against foreign teams, because they have tougher players. Oh wait...
Not a racist, just a homer asshole.
What the does Eddie Johnson know about winning championships?
I guess he's not a fan of the Canucks.
The thread-starting quote was totally out of context!
Here are some more out of his blog and the following discussion:
Actually, he is making some valid points, and comes to the right conclusion:
His followup comments did a much better job of explaining what he meant than the initial one did.
Glad he made himself more explicit.
Personally, I don't think it's xenophobic to assess compe ive conditions and infer upon them. But Eddie Johnson makes a poor argument. And conveniently glosses over Manu and Parker examples which do nothing to support his "college bball" angle. But whatever, it's his opinion.
Celtics didn't win by being homegrown Americans. They were just ing stacked.
I also think the Lakers don't have the swagger of the Shaq-Kobe Lakers. They're pretty soft, and will continue to be soft with that core.
Bynum seems like he'll be another David West too.
Bynum is nothing like David West. West is a face up post player who scores from 10-18 feet. Bynum is a classic back-to-basket post player with no mid-range game. Bynum is a much better shot blocker than West, but West has a higher basketball IQ. The Lakers will improve with Bynum because he brings toughness in the post, unlike that p*ssy Gasol who throws up weak hooks and fade aways.Glad he made himself more explicit.
Personally, I don't think it's xenophobic to assess compe ive conditions and infer upon them. But Eddie Johnson makes a poor argument. And conveniently glosses over Manu and Parker examples which do nothing to support his "college bball" angle. But whatever, it's his opinion.
Celtics didn't win by being homegrown Americans. They were just ing stacked.
I also think the Lakers don't have the swagger of the Shaq-Kobe Lakers. They're pretty soft, and will continue to be soft with that core.
Bynum seems like he'll be another David West too.
Only proves danny ainge cant spot international talent, and had to put a team together of players who cant win on their own.
Yeah it is a pretty stupid remark.
After following the NBA since the mid 60's I can honestly say that I have seen very few players play with the hunger and drive that Manu Ginobili brings to the court every game. And really the entire Argentine team in the 04 olympics played with an energy and confidence seldom seen in foreign teams. I disagree with Johnson, I think too many US athletes don't have that hunger anymore, most of them are pampered and when they get to the NBA the talent is there but the drive is sorely lacking.
Three underachieving veteran American stars come together for one le run and suddenly all is well with US basketball.
i remember eddie's comments during the allstar game....he said...the nba is our sport and no other country players should be allowed to play......is that racist? imo....very much so...anytime a man has the right to say russians,argentians,mexicans etc shouldnt be allowed to play a sport that is open to world to play....its called racist...its no different than owning a company of any race and saying, no other race should be hired(no matter how talented)... o its that simple....if you ask me eddie johnson is just a player who sucked no matter what race he is......because there are so many players from other countries that are 3 times better then he would ever be its also called stupid....and thats what eddie is...stupid...he has an allstar canadian point guard on his team(nash),french(diaw) barbosa(brazil)....and this fool has the nerve on national tv to say....this is our sport and noone else should be allowed to join......that my friends is just plain.....stupid...but everyman has a right to say what he wants...even if only a handful of humans agree....imo i woulda fired him first for being a mentor with no brains, the guy, and ive seen him play for many yrs for the suns... is really no different then horry....a overrated player who cares only about himself....and there is noway that can be argued....horry places whereever winning the next championship odds are better(he just said it in the mysa article).....i bet he plays for NO next season, or maybe even the lakers....cos he surly isnt needed around here anymore...heck send him to the suns so he can help eddie be a mentor for nba players born in the usa only......either way neither one of them can play todays nba game....bunch of has been overrated shining the pine players who have suckered teams and coaches for the exception of houston....i mean look how many rings horry has,(and he is no allstar, not even close) all from teams other then houston he chose togo to......if that isnt someone who only thinks of himself......then explain it to me.......cos i dont get it....horry just like the staff who thought keeping him might help the spurs this season along with the fans, got suckered....and thats the way it goes...and its proven, not a guess....go spurs go
From the Sports Business Daily 1/29/2008:
The league is unbelievably successful and I think Stern's personal challenge is dealing with governments and places where he may feel some personal uncomfortability, such as China, such as the Soviet Union. Yes, they are business opportunities, but as a guy who reads the New York Times page one everyday, this is a guy who is concerned with the kind of things that goes on there." However, Suns broadcaster and former NBAer Eddie Johnson said the influx of foreign-born players is "taking jobs away from American ballplayers." Johnson: "I have no problem with putting a restriction (on foreign players) because this is our game" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 1/27/2008)
Last edited by Tully365; 06-21-2008 at 12:51 AM.
doesn't mean anything in terms of winning championships vis-a-vis i don't have any idea why he brought that up.The Celtics are probably the only team in the NBA with not one foreign import on their roster.
I should have added in the beginning that Johnson's strange at ude about foreign players is something I've noticed numerous times for close to a year now, mostly due to occasionally reading his hoopshype blog (which is the worst homer blog of all time). He definitely has a chip on his shoulder concerning this issue.
Exactly-- it's such a non-sequitur, and that's what caught my attention. It's like starting a yearly business report by saying: " Happily, our large company, which has no minorities in upper management, has experienced record profits this year..."
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