Etan Thomas Has A Lot On His Mind
On Sunday, Mike Baldwin wrote about how Thunder center Etan Thomas is, ‘More than just an athlete.”
A day later, Thomas’ first blog for HoopsHype.com was published and the entry, “My 12 questions,” touches on everything from the NBA’s age limit, to its dress code, to negativity in the media, to the H1N1 vaccine.
Thomas also tackles issues regarding Rush Limbaugh, George Bush, Donald Sterling and what he views as questionable language used throughout the NBA that has overtones of slavery.
“Why does the NBA, an almost 80 percent African-American league, constantly (use) terms that reference slavery? Why are the CEO’s of the teams called owners? why do they use the term “property” of a certain team when referring to a player’s employment? Why is the term trading block utilized? Why all the references to slavery, and why hasn’t anyone up until this point objected to this?”
Thomas, perhaps more than any other current NBA player, has been praised for being an athlete who is unafraid to speak his mind. I’m not sure if his HoopsHype.com blog will be a recurring column. But, love his opinions or hate them, he’ll certainly find some avenue for being heard.
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Comments
Don’t even really agree with much of what he’s saying (or, rather, implying through the use of questions), but it’s heartening to see an athlete talking about stuff he cares about. More please, Etan.
Etan should keep his mind on basketball, not on whether he agrees with what other players or owners are doing with their lives. Less please, Etan.
If basketball doesn’t suffer on account of this (and why would it?), let Thomas speak (or write) his mind. Etan Thomas is a free man, and if he compels to say it, then say it. If I (and/or Benny) don’t agree, I will write a rebuttal. But don’t be barred from saying that Thomas wants to say. If the readers can’t stand his commentary, then don’t read it; they are free to do that also. More please, Etan.
Thomas will never lack for a forum: he’s also posted stuff at the HuffPo.