Garnett punches Rickert

slinslin · August 31st, 2004, 04:49 AM

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At an informal workout the other day at Target Center, after Timberwolves rookie Rick Rickert made a nifty move to slip past his boyhood idol, Kevin Garnett of the Wolves, to score a basket, Garnett responded, without warning, by punching Rickert in the jaw.

A cut required seven stitches to close, and Rickert also suffered a chipped tooth. The astonished 6-10 Rickert didn't retaliate against the 7-foot NBA most valuable player, who also had unkind words for the former Gophers player. Apparently, the rookie wasn't supposed to score on the MVP. Rickert received his stitches at University of Minnesota Hospital.

Because the incident involved the Wolves' franchise player, the incident seemingly will make it even more difficult for Rickert to make the Wolves' final roster.

Sounds almost familiar.

devilalum · August 31st, 2004, 05:06 AM

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Originally Posted by slinslin

Link

Sounds almost familiar.

Would you be speaking of Mr. KG's obvious problem with white people?

Joe Mama · August 31st, 2004, 05:42 AM

Are you talking about Michael Jordan's shot on Steve Kerr during a Chicago Bulls' practice years ago?

It's still inexcusable, but I guarantee Rickert did more than just beat KG on a play. He was probably over celebrating after it.

Joe Mama

Yuma · August 31st, 2004, 06:08 AM

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Originally Posted by Joe Mama

Are you talking about Michael Jordan's shot on Steve Kerr during a Chicago Bulls' practice years ago?

It's still inexcusable, but I guarantee Rickert did more than just beat KG on a play. He was probably over celebrating after it.

Joe Mama

Or Kermit Washington's shot on Rudy Tomjonovich?

I think Kermit was just in the moment and would have hit anyone that came near him. It was unfortunate that it was such a devastating blow. However, people made a racist deal of it after the fact. That's what it seems like with KG, too.

DjaugheOld · August 31st, 2004, 07:36 AM

slinslin · August 31st, 2004, 07:43 AM

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Originally Posted by devilalum

Would you be speaking of Mr. KG's obvious problem with white people?

According to Mitch Lawrence Amare bitch slapped Lampe during practice last season.

Gaddabout · August 31st, 2004, 07:55 AM

Knowing a little about Rickert during his recruiting process out of high school, I would not be surprised if he deserved it. He seems a little full of himself.

Joe Mama · August 31st, 2004, 10:12 AM

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Originally Posted by Yuma

Or Kermit Washington's shot on Rudy Tomjonovich?

I think Kermit was just in the moment and would have hit anyone that came near him. It was unfortunate that it was such a devastating blow. However, people made a racist deal of it after the fact. That's what it seems like with KG, too.

Well, it does seem that it's always these black guys striking the white guys. Washington on Tomjonovich, Shaquille O'Neal tried to knockout Brad Miller, Amare Stoudemire bitch slapped Lampe, Michael Jordan sucker punched Steve Kerr, and now KG nailed Rickert. That's a lot of black on white beatings in the NBA.

Joe Mama

George O'Brien · August 31st, 2004, 10:44 AM

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Originally Posted by Joe Mama

Well, it does seem that it's always these black guys striking the white guys. Washington on Tomjonovich, Shaquille O'Neal tried to knockout Brad Miller, Amare Stoudemire bitch slapped Lampe, Michael Jordan sucker punched Steve Kerr, and now KG nailed Rickert. That's a lot of black on white beatings in the NBA.

Joe Mama

I'm not sure that's quite fair. Clearly when Steve Francis hit Amare, race had nothing to do with it. I never noticed that Karl Malone discriminated as to who he would take out when he would swing his elbows.

It is not just blacks. Going back a few years, Bill Lambeer was in a class of his own when it came to dirty play and I suspect that physical white inside guys like Pollard have had their moments as well too.

That being said, I do think there is a street ball ethic that leads to violent response when another guy deliberately shows a guy up. It is a kind of "don't make me look bad or I'll hurt you" message to intimidate opponents. It may lead to fines and suspensions, but it the message remains clear.

Lars the Red · August 31st, 2004, 12:06 PM

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Originally Posted by George O'Brien

I'm not sure that's quite fair. Clearly when Steve Francis hit Amare, race had nothing to do with it. I never noticed that Karl Malone discriminated as to who he would take out when he would swing his elbows.

It is not just blacks. Going back a few years, Bill Lambeer was in a class of his own when it came to dirty play and I suspect that physical white inside guys like Pollard have had their moments as well too.

That being said, I do think there is a street ball ethic that leads to violent response when another guy deliberately shows a guy up. It is a kind of "don't make me look bad or I'll hurt you" message to intimidate opponents. It may lead to fines and suspensions, but it the message remains clear.

You may have forgotten Horny getting jacked by Stackhouse while the Mailman stood and watched. That made me realize that Karl was all show and no go.

The street ball mentality is really what makes these things issues. I don't recall guys ready to throw down with every hard foul years ago. You acted like a man, shot your freethrows if you were fouled and put it in the memory bank. Games are long, you always get a shot at a guy if you really want to take it. Defending you manhood with a sucker punch may impress the homies, but it makes you look like a ***** in a man's eyes.

Joe Mama · August 31st, 2004, 12:24 PM

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Originally Posted by Lars the Red

The street ball mentality is really what makes these things issues. I don't recall guys ready to throw down with every hard foul years ago. You acted like a man, shot your freethrows if you were fouled and put it in the memory bank. Games are long, you always get a shot at a guy if you really want to take it. Defending you manhood with a sucker punch may impress the homies, but it makes you look like a ***** in a man's eyes.

I don't think the NBA has as many problems as you do, but I also don't really like the way the hip-hop/thug mentality has taken over the NBA. I want to see guys celebrate when they make a big play like they used to instead of acting pissed off and yelling at people.

That said, I think you're crazy if you think players were any less willing or ready to throw down after hard fouls years ago. If you honestly believe that you've got some seriously selective memory. In fact I would go as far as to say that players were more willing, anxious, and ready to throw down in the past because the league put up with it a lot more.

George, I really wasn't serious about the black players picking on the white players. I just thought it was funny that all of these latest incidents we've been talking about have been that way. BTW the incidents you used as examples were not the same as the ones I was talking about. The examples I used were all guys throwing punches for the most part when the other player wasn't really ready for it.

Joe Mama

Yuma · August 31st, 2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Mama

I don't think the NBA has as many problems as you do, but I also don't really like the way the hip-hop/thug mentality has taken over the NBA. I want to see guys celebrate when they make a big play like they used to instead of acting pissed off and yelling at people.

That said, I think you're crazy if you think players were any less willing or ready to throw down after hard fouls years ago. If you honestly believe that you've got some seriously selective memory. In fact I would go as far as to say that players were more willing, anxious, and ready to throw down in the past because the league put up with it a lot more.

Joe Mama

I agree. I remember most teams in the early 70's had their "enforcer!" I remember a guy on the Celtics who came in just to get justice. You would see a lot of jumpers all of a sudden!

slinslin · August 31st, 2004, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lars the Red

You may have forgotten Horny getting jacked by Stackhouse while the Mailman stood and watched. That made me realize that Karl was all show and no go.

The street ball mentality is really what makes these things issues. I don't recall guys ready to throw down with every hard foul years ago. You acted like a man, shot your freethrows if you were fouled and put it in the memory bank. Games are long, you always get a shot at a guy if you really want to take it. Defending you manhood with a sucker punch may impress the homies, but it makes you look like a ***** in a man's eyes.

I find your posts to have quite a racist touch the way you degrade hiphop, "homies", street ball or wrestling or whatever else.

I guess since violence is way more common thing in the NHL they must defend their manhood as well to impress their "homies"..

Despite whatever you say you are probably in the minority since the NBA is on the uprise again and hiphop by far the most succesful music style it looks like and not about to change anytimes soon.

Gaddabout · August 31st, 2004, 12:56 PM

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Originally Posted by slinslin

Thank god despite whatever you say you are in the minority since the NBA is on the uprise again and hiphop by far the most succesful music style it looks like and not about to change.

I have done sessions as a professional drummer for all walks of life. No one has the market cornered on nihilism. Maybe hip-hoppers drink 40s at 10 a.m. in the morning. By that time, some rockers I know are hitting their heroin stride or finishing a fifth of Jack. Folk rockers are definately in with the NORML crowd, and I've known few C&W artists who didn't enjoy ending the day at the bottom of a pitcher of domestic beer.

Drugs and alcohol are ingrained in American culture. Sad but true. White NBA players have perfectly mirrored any given cross section of popular culture at any time during their existence. I have no idea why one type of crowd is singled out now as being less than standard. Maybe it's because the media never did a good job of reporting it until the NBA began looking less and less like the people who were doing the reporting. I say this as a former member of the sports media.

cheesebeef · August 31st, 2004, 12:56 PM

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Originally Posted by slinslin

I find your posts to have quite a racist touch the way you degrade hiphop, "homies", street ball or wrestling or whatever else.

I guess since violence is way more common thing in the NHL they must defend their manhood as well to impress their "homies"..

Despite whatever you say you are probably in the minority since the NBA is on the uprise again and hiphop by far the most succesful music style it looks like and not about to change anytimes soon.

how exactl;y do you feel that the NBA is on the uprise again? Because the Fnals had good ratings (when actually compared to the Jordan days - they were still abysmal). Was it the lack of offense in that great Pistons-Pacers series where NO ONE could scroe 80 points?

Personally - I don't see where this uprise is coming from. To me the NBA is as unwatchable as it has ever been - Hell - even the Finals sucked for the most part from a pure basketball point of view - the only thing that made them enertaining was watching the Lakers get the ever living snot knocked out of them.