OT: NBA's National Viewership Ratings Declines, now below PGA and NASCAR.

[Redwing]

These issues can both be addressed simultaneously, can they not? Many athletes have also donated time and money to try and help the youth of inner cities. The attempts on here to deflect away from our poorly trained police killing US citizens is teetering on boot licking at this point.

They sure can, but I'm not hearing much of anything about one of them. And that even includes the positive actions some athletes are taking.

[Eagle74]

These issues can both be addressed simultaneously, can they not? Many athletes have also donated time and money to try and help the youth of inner cities. The attempts on here to deflect away from our poorly trained police killing US citizens is teetering on boot licking at this point.

There's definitely two sides to look at. America should also be addressing poorly trained US Citizens (and illegals) from killing Police.

[Turbonium]

There is little balance on this topic. Killings in our cities vs the bad cops behavior? As for our police getting killed:



As of 08/24/2020:

• Thirty-one law enforcement officers have been reported feloniously killed in 2020. During the previous year for the same time period, 30 officers were feloniously killed. At the time the 31 law enforcement officers were fatally wounded in 2020:
  • Seven were victims of an ambush (entrapment/premeditation)
  • Zero were a victim of an unprovoked attack
• Thirty-one law enforcement officers have been reported accidentally killed in 2020. During the previous year for the same time period, 28 officers were accidentally killed.

So little outrage... seems it's just accepted.

These issues can both be addressed simultaneously, can they not? Many athletes have also donated time and money to try and help the youth of inner cities. The attempts on here to deflect away from our poorly trained police killing US citizens is teetering on boot licking at this point.

[Twincitiesmav]

Why is it a bad thing to want to see athletes using their platform for social change? Does it bother you nearly as much when an athlete gets arrested for doing something stupid? Are athletes just supposed to "shut up and dance" purely for your enjoyment?

Sports have always been political, and that's an inarguable fact. Sports have always had to respond to political changes in our world. They are not mutually exclusive.

If GenXers didn't spend so much time handing out participation trophies and whining on Facebook, maybe they'd understand that inconvenient little fact.

[Redwing]

Yet another Police Officer was killed last night while simply trying to serve the peace.

He was killed by a man resisting arrest after committing a crime. The vast majority of people across America will never hear or know his name. No one in the NBA or any other professional sport will step up on a platform to denounce this tragic action, no matter how many times it happens. Last night a child lost his father, a wife lost her husband, and a mother lost her son, but to many, his life didn't matter. No protest, no boycotts, no riots, just another statistic.

This, like many just like it didn't have to happen. Early on, when I was a child, I was told over and over by my Mother that in the event I have an encounter with the police or law enforcement, simply comply with their request and never resist. I was told if I was ever pulled over in my car, roll down my window and place my hands on the steering wheel and never do anything stupid because that officer has no idea what I may be up to, if I'm armed or my motives, so again, simply comply and live to see another day.

So, if you really love your child or children, please instruct them to do the same. It's truly a game changer.

There is little balance on this topic. Killings in our cities vs the bad cops behavior? As for our police getting killed:



As of 08/24/2020:

• Thirty-one law enforcement officers have been reported feloniously killed in 2020. During the previous year for the same time period, 30 officers were feloniously killed. At the time the 31 law enforcement officers were fatally wounded in 2020:
  • Seven were victims of an ambush (entrapment/premeditation)
  • Zero were a victim of an unprovoked attack
• Thirty-one law enforcement officers have been reported accidentally killed in 2020. During the previous year for the same time period, 28 officers were accidentally killed.

So little outrage... seems it's just accepted.

[Eagle74]

Yet another Police Officer was killed last night while simply trying to serve the peace.

He was killed by a man resisting arrest after committing a crime. The vast majority of people across America will never hear or know his name. No one in the NBA or any other professional sport will step up on a platform to denounce this tragic action, no matter how many times it happens. Last night a child lost his father, a wife lost her husband, and a mother lost her son, but to many, his life didn't matter. No protest, no boycotts, no riots, just another statistic.

This, like many just like it didn't have to happen. Early on, when I was a child, I was told over and over by my Mother that in the event I have an encounter with the police or law enforcement, simply comply with their request and never resist. I was told if I was ever pulled over in my car, roll down my window and place my hands on the steering wheel and never do anything stupid because that officer has no idea what I may be up to, if I'm armed or my motives, so again, simply comply and live to see another day.

So, if you really love your child or children, please instruct them to do the same. It's truly a game changer.

[SW_Mustang]

*snip*

[SW_Mustang]

I don't and never will watch professional sports of any kind. And after the events of this week by the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. I definitely never will. Overpaid millionaires complaining about "social" conditions. So they prefer anarchy? I imagine many of them have private security guards.

Bad take.

First - capitalism determines their value. They are not overpaid by any stretch of the imagination. Professional athletes collectively drive billions of dollars in revenue. That's the system we've chosen to live under. You have a couple different options if you don't like it - communism, or socialism. Take your pick, but I'll be sticking with capitalism.

Secondly - you're completely missing the point. These athletes recognize they have a platform that reaches millions of people. They are tired of performing for the very same people that applaud when their friends and family and people like them are shot in the streets. Agree or disagree with their opinion, but that's why they are doing what they are doing. It's a team mentality too, many of them are voting on this collectively.

Third - anarchy would be trashing the arena and setting fires. Democracy is voting to take a peaceful stand as a team. It's a no-win situation for them. You can't have it both ways, do you want them to be peaceful or not? I suppose you'd prefer if they'd just "shut up and dribble," no?

Fourth - if you don't watch it, why does it bother you? Sports have always been political, yet this seems to be the only time I can remember where people throw hissy fits about it. Maybe it's because it's been amplified by social media?

In closing - I don't think you are racist nor will I call you one as I don't like tossing that term around lightly, but can you see why telling black athletes to "shut up and dance for me" when they are trying to make a point is kinda problematic?

[Twincitiesmav]

I don't and never will watch professional sports of any kind. And after the events of this week by the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. I definitely never will. Overpaid millionaires complaining about "social" conditions. So they prefer anarchy? I imagine many of them have private security guards.

[WarriorVoice]

It's watching a bunch of Cletuses driving cars around a track for a few hours.

It's literally like watching paint dry.

The radio guys paint a great picture...

[boatcapt]

Nomatter how they package it or how hard ESPN hypes it,, its summer league basketball.

[Turbonium]

I don't and never will watch professional sports of any kind. And after the events of this week by the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. I definitely never will. Overpaid millionaires complaining about "social" conditions. So they prefer anarchy? I imagine many of them have private security guards.

Overpaid? Capitalism says they are paid what they're worth, are you opposed to capitalism?

After the events of this week (peaceful protests by athletes) you'll never watch pro sports but have zero complaints about cops attempting to murder yet another individual? Very interesting.

[Brandon]

We should hold those who have sworn to protect and serve more accountable than the average citizen, should we not?

Qualified immunity for almost everyone in power could be eliminated.

[MStateMaverick]

I don't and never will watch professional sports of any kind. And after the events of this week by the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. I definitely never will. Overpaid millionaires complaining about "social" conditions. So they prefer anarchy? I imagine many of them have private security guards.

[IUPNation]

I watch golf because I play a couple times a week and I have a general idea of the different types of shots they are trying to pull off and enjoy the execution of it because lord knows I can't haha. I do enjoy it more now because there aren't idiot fans at the matches yelling "get in the hole" or other dumb crap after each shot.

Golf is boring to watch too. It's a sport to me that is something you play to enjoy, not to watch to enjoy.

It's kind of like how hockey doesn't translate well on TV but watching it live is like the best thing ever.