Who’ll stop the rain?
Given that no one in authority has had the guts to stand up and demand that it stop, I guess this is how it’s going to be ’til death do us part.
Our “sports culture” has become unhinged, uncivilized and most everyone who counts is complicit.
Last week a revolting episode occurred at a Bulls game in Chicago, one that should have made lasting, angry, red-alert news. But, perhaps because it has become what’s expected from our sports culture, it quickly faded.
The Michael Jordan Era Bulls were being honored in the team’s first Ring of Honor ceremony that specifically saluted the six NBA championships won under late GM Jerry Krause, who wasn’t treated with kindness in the ESPN/Netflix Jordan docuseries “The Last Dance.”
Despite forming teams of historic dominance he was blamed for the team’s fall.
And so seated on the floor in the United Center was Krause’s widow, Thelma, 80 years old.
And when she was introduced many in the crowd — not just a few morons — booed her. Loudly and clearly. That’s right, they jeered her, an 80-year-old widow who was flanked by her grandchildren.
Mrs. Krause broke down in tears, and not the grateful kind. She and her late husband were being humiliated by a 2024 NBA crowd of dehumanized humans and, as intended, it hurt.
Not that there was anything new here. NBA in-house “fans” have become increasingly uncivilized. There’s an ugly episode of a fan vs. visiting player hassle nearly every week. The Clippers’ Russell Westbrook last week got into it with a courtside name-caller in Denver.
was a member of the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor. AP
But the mob cruelty in Chicago exceeded the boundaries of degenerative group conduct, doubly so when one considers it occurred in the name of what used to be known as sports.
And NBA commissioner Adam Silver should have used this disgrace to at last stand and declare — shout — that he will no longer quietly indulge the misconduct that has become pervasive throughout the league.
But he didn’t.
Again, it seemed as if no one at the top dared to offend the most offensive, thus this is how it will remain … if it doesn’t grow worse.
Silver brings to mind the late English-Israeli diplomat Abba Eban who said of Israel’s country’s terrorist neighbor leaders, “They never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity [for peace].”
So Silver again passed on an opportunity to very loudly, clearly and publicly read the riot act on behalf of well comported fans and their families who have been abandoned by the modern sell of mutual disrespect, starting with the calls to arms of screaming public address announcers.
Keep up with the most important sports news
Sign up for Starting Lineup for the biggest stories.
Pity this episode lacked sustained national attention because there were plenty of newsworthy responses.
Bill Cartwright, the retired Bulls and Knicks center, now an administrator at the University of San Francisco, his alma mater, sent a “To All It May Concern” letter:
“Throughout the course of my career, whether at USF, the New York Knicks or the Chicago Bulls, I have always watched, thought and, when it was the appropriate time, spoke.
“The sight of Thelma Krause being booed while representing her husband — who was arguably one of the best general managers of all-time — was horrifying.
“I knew Jerry and Thelma on a personal level. … He had great insight into basketball and how to build a team with complementary players. …
“While playing for Chicago during a game with Indiana [in the 1993-94 season], I was hit in the throat. It left my larynx fractured and my left vocal cord paralyzed. It was truly devastating as I had no voice for a year. Jerry found the best throat doctor, Dr. Robert Sataloff in Philadelphia, to help me get my voice back. I don’t have a perfect voice now, but I do at least have one thanks to Jerry.
“It’s a shame that only a few people truly knew what a kind person Jerry was. … Some of the best years of my life were when I was a Chicago Bull. This display, honestly, does tarnish that legacy somewhat for me.
“To the Bulls fans who booed, understand that not all the heroes of those amazing championship runs were on the court. Jerry Krause was instrumental to every single championship the Bulls won.
“Respectfully, Bill Cartwright.”
Stacey King, an ex-Bull and now a Bulls broadcaster, thus normally expected to speak no evil:
“What we witnessed today when Jerry Krause’s name was called, and the people that booed and his widow who was accepting this honor for him, it was the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
“I hurt for that lady. It brought her to tears. Whoever booed her in this arena should be ashamed of themselves.”
Even the most curious of NBA coaches were appalled.
Ex-Bull and now the Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who regularly indulges Draymond Green, said, “It’s absolutely shameful. I can’t believe — I’m devastated for Thelma and for the Krause family. What can we possibly be thinking? …
“Jerry did an amazing job building those teams. [The Ring of Honor ceremony] was all about the joy and love the teams shared with the city. … Those who booed should be ashamed.”
Even Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, known for good ample reasons as a miserable, mean-spirited cuss:
“If anything, it’s like a snapshot of the world we live in today. Meanness seems to be a lot more condoned.”
Two days later the “fans” in Detroit at the Rams-Lions game verbally abused the wife and kids of former Lions QB and Rams QB Matthew Stafford. An NBC crowd shot found an unglued and perhaps drunken “fan” shooting both middle fingers into the air when Stafford appeared.
And this past Wednesday, the Palomar College (Calif.) women’s basketball team defeated Southwestern College, 110-0.
But who’ll stop the rain?
Geez, ESPN-NY’s “Michael Kay Show” more desperately infantile by the week. It now features “Wouldya Wednesday,” a segment targeting junior high school naughty boys who enjoy making the sounds of flatulence.
The segment’s debut question this past Wednesday, following Kay’s read of a come-on for a sports betting operation predicated on listeners losing their money, had Kay ask co-hosts Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg this:
Would they rather have “Great sex with Craig Carton or mediocre sex with Halle Berry?” Clever stuff, eh?
Oddly enough, Kay forewarned his audience that the segment would be for “adults.” Yeah, adults ages 6 to 14.
Then Kay reverted to being the obedient ESPN shill, his guest being ESPN football analyst Dan Orlovsky.
It’s all a con, continued: This transfer portal epidemic kinda puts an end to Division I colleges bragging about or even listing their football and basketball graduation rates, not that they were otherwise legit to begin with.
Last week QB Casey Thompson committed to Oklahoma — his fourth school in seven years. And Miami TE Cam McCormick announced his return for his ninth season of eligibility. All part of AARP’s scholar-athlete longevity program.