NBA Lockout: Dennis Rodman's Comments Not Crazy Enough for Players to Ignore
If the NBA Lockout wasn't confusing enough for you, take at look at what Dennis Rodman had to say to Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun.
In typical fashion, Rodman pulled no punches in saying that he thinks the players should cave in.
"“I just think that ... the players should bow down...They should bow down. In 1999, we (were locked out) and we missed half the season. The owners bowed down then. They gave the players everything. I think the players should do the same thing for the owners because today most of these teams are losing money. It’s not the players’ fault. It’s the owners’ fault. I think they should give a little bit and move on."
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On its own, that's certainly going to grab some attention. But Rodman went on to attack the current group of players.
"“I don’t think they work that hard because most of the players don’t give a damn about the game. They want the money. I’m not taking the owners’ side, I just think the players should look at themselves. ‘OK, I’m making $16 million or $17 million a year, but what have I accomplished?’ Most of the players haven’t accomplished anything. That’s what you have to look at.”
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Lockouts are never cut and dried. The NFL's wasn't, the NBA's isn't, and any future lockouts/strikes in any sport won't be. Both sides have points. But given the amount of money that the athletes and the owners make, the casual fan just doesn't want to hear it.
But should the players consider completely caving in? Honestly, I don't really have an answer to that. I don't know the specific situations.
But if a former player, even one as unpredictable as Rodman, is making comments like this, there is something there.
Forget about the second comments. They are controversial, but not that uncommon. We frequently hear players from past eras criticizing current players for not doing enough. This isn't unique to Rodman, or even basketball.
It's a rather annoying part of being a fan, but it's not going anywhere.
But if the owners bowed down in 1999, should the players bow down in 2011? What's interesting is that Rodman goes on to say that he doesn't even blame the current situation on the players.
So, should the players really give in?
Giving in never sounds good, but they are going to feel it bad when they start missing paychecks.
So, while I am sure these comments will create some backlash, there is something to them. Am I saying that the players need to listen to them word for word, no questions asked? No, not at all.
Still, these aren't comments that should be casually dismissed as "Rodman being Rodman." There is some validity in what he's saying. More importantly, what he's saying will get the players on the court. At this point, that needs to be ultimate goal of both sides.
