2008 Woodie Awards
Melo not an all-star - fair punishment
By: Caitlin Ryder
Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Carmelo Anthony will not be going to the all-star game despite being the NBA's leading scorer, averaging over 30 points per game. The NBA and Commissioner David Stern came down hard on him after his sucker-punch in last year's game against the Knicks, when Madison Square Garden was immersed in a massive brawl.
Stern has a background as the commissioner of discipline; this was the same guy who mandated a dress code for the NBA. He has issued harsh punishments equally during his term.
Anthony was issued a 15-game suspension after the incident. It seems only obvious the punishment has hurt his campaign for the west all-star team.
But is it fair?
Of course it is. These athletes are paid large amounts of money to play professional sports on the national stage. Anything they do in the public sphere is something everyone sees and knows. Players must uphold a level of professionalism in the realm of their environment which is in essence their workplace.
They do not have to go to an office or work eight-hour shifts outside. If a business manager at a large company were to punch a co-worker from another department he most certainly would lose his job and he definitely would not be allowed any special privileges.
Pete Rose was caught betting on the game and he will never be in The Hall of Fame. Mark Mcguire, Sammy Sosa and Rapheal Palmeiro's career accomplishments will always be looked at with speculation.
Anthony will most likely still be playing in Las Vegas due to the injury of Carlos Boozer. He should not deserve the chance to play because the all-star game is a benefit, and he did not follow through with his professionalism as an athlete.
Stern has a background as the commissioner of discipline; this was the same guy who mandated a dress code for the NBA. He has issued harsh punishments equally during his term.
Anthony was issued a 15-game suspension after the incident. It seems only obvious the punishment has hurt his campaign for the west all-star team.
But is it fair?
Of course it is. These athletes are paid large amounts of money to play professional sports on the national stage. Anything they do in the public sphere is something everyone sees and knows. Players must uphold a level of professionalism in the realm of their environment which is in essence their workplace.
They do not have to go to an office or work eight-hour shifts outside. If a business manager at a large company were to punch a co-worker from another department he most certainly would lose his job and he definitely would not be allowed any special privileges.
Pete Rose was caught betting on the game and he will never be in The Hall of Fame. Mark Mcguire, Sammy Sosa and Rapheal Palmeiro's career accomplishments will always be looked at with speculation.
Anthony will most likely still be playing in Las Vegas due to the injury of Carlos Boozer. He should not deserve the chance to play because the all-star game is a benefit, and he did not follow through with his professionalism as an athlete.
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