Bad Boy

The WNBA has officially sunk to the level of the NBA. That's pretty bad. In the men's NBA, fighting has always been a trademarked highlight that filtered the league's classy guys from the knuckleheads who think they're still defending their ego in some schoolyard game. Kermit punching Rudy, the Knicks playoff brawl of '97, and of course the melee at Auburn Hills four years ago.



Well, the women have officially arrived with their own highlight. On Tuesday, July 22 with less than five seconds left in the game, the L.A. Sparks high-profile rookie Candace Parker and Detroit's Plenette Pierson tangled and quickly skirmished on the floor, clearing both benches and causing an impromptu players riot at where else? Auburn Hills, Michigan.
If you watch the footage, you'll see why 10 players were handed suspensions for multiple games along with fines. Also, during the fight, Detroit lost their all-star forward Cheryl Ford for the season due to torn knee ligaments as she tried to restrain other players and was wheeled off the court by medics after. So, who really received the raw deal from all this? Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn.

Mahorn entered the fight and cleared L.A.'s Lisa Leslie out by pushing her off the pile. Leslie after the game gave commentary on how Mahorn, for no reason, shoved her to the ground as she was simply going into the mess to "help up teammates." Stir into the mix the fact that the 6'9" Mahorn is twice the size of any female on the court and he's a retired former Detroit "Bad Boy", who used to make his living being a goon and brawling in the 80's for the Pistons on that very same court. Mahorn was handed a two-game suspension from the league, despite his efforts at being a peacemaker.

Did Mahorn jump into the middle of a fight with 20+ women on national television? Yes. Did he put his hands on one of them? Yes. Did he do it to escalate the situation? I highly doubt it. Mahorn is a proud father of four daughters and i'm sure that wasn't the first girlfight he's ever had to step in the middle of.

"It's unfortunate that players get suspended. These things happen. That's the way business works some days. I don't comment on suspensions because it's beyond my control. Except for Rick Mahorn. He was out there being a peacemaker, something happened and he was not involved and that's bad."

This was told by Detroit head coach Bill Laimbeer, who also was a former teammate and Detroit Bad Boy back in the hayday. Even L.A. Sparks head coach Michael Cooper backed Laimbeer, calling Mahorn a "peacemaker" as well.

In my opinion, Leslie's feelings got hurt as she was embarassed on ESPN by getting shoved and had no contribution in helping her teammates. The league quickly backed her cry of wolf and dished out punishment to put ice over their new black eye. I think its pathetic how Leslie's version of "damsel in distress" got someone else in trouble. If she put her pride aside and was able to look at what happened, she would see that she was doing exactly what Mahorn was doing, except he got to the task first and used Leslie for the first step of intervention. Shame on Leslie personally throwing him under the bus. Shame on the league for punishing Mahorn and shame on anyone who thinks he should sit out any time whatsoever.

Outside of the undersized basketball, high school-level scoring and complete lack of excitement, I guess I can throw one more reason why the WNBA doesn't deserve this sport fan's time of day.

In the Army Now...

I'm sure everyone has one or two stories of a time when your parents allowed you to commit to a special request when you asked them. A super-hyped birthday party at McDonalds for some kid in your 2nd grade class, or maybe you get to stay out till 11pm with your friends for the first time because you did so well on your SAT's... WITH the car. All awesome moments of freedom, right? Well, guess what? Dad just ripped up your invitation to the party and told you that you get to help him pick rocks in the backyard. Or in Caleb Campbell's case, Uncle Sam just told him that the NFL is no place for committed soldiers, despite their initial release of him to be drafted by the Detroit Lions this offseason. He was to report to Lions training camp this Friday, July 25th.

After devoting 4 years for the Army football team at West Point, Campbell was a recognized safety on the Knight's defense and drew plenty of attention based on his physical skills and knack of getting to the ball anywhere on the field. The U.S. Department of Defense however, changed their "Alternative Service Option" on July 8th to include all professional athletes who served that "a soldier must complete two years of active service before requesting a release. " Bottom line, Mr. Campbell isn't eligable for anything until 2010 now.

There are so many angles to glance from in this discussion. Should someone who commits to the military be allowed to leave early for a professional sport? Is the Army right for allowing him to be drafted and then retracting his release on a whim? Also, if the policy went into affect on the 8th, why did Campbell receive his notice of service on July 23rd? I'm sure we're all on a need to know basis but according to the Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, "He was issued a helmet, ready to go." If you read the AP article, you can hear the disappointment in Campbell's voice when he was asked on the matter. However, his final statement of "It’s my job in the United States Army. This is how I’m serving my country.” was delivered like a true soldier is told.

I think my biggest gripe comes with how this isn't the first time the U.S. Army has made some terrible headlines, crossing with the NFL. If you can remember, former Arizona Cardinals' safety Pat Tillman left his life on the gridiron and millions of dollars in salary to become an Army Ranger to serve with his brother in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, he was killed on April 22, 2004 overseas. Sounds dignified, right? Well, what the Army didn't release to the public and Tillman's family was that he died of friendly fire, at the hands of one of his fellow soldiers. To perserve the honor and valor that came with his all-american, apple pie story brought to the Army, the government didn't speak up for months until long after his news became old; truly until Tillman had nothing left to give the Army.

I can only hope that Campbell does his two years of active duty and not only survives his tour, but is able to have his dream of playing professional football back. Both of these men committed to the the Army, so, there was no draft or gun put to their head to make them give up their athletic passion. I guess for someone like myself who can only be a fan of either the NFL or the Armed Forces, you have to believe that both professions are an honor in their own right. Regardless of what Campbell wants, spokesperson Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb let everyone know how the Army feels on the matter:

"What he’s accomplished on a football field has been outstanding, but what he’ll accomplish as a soldier will be even greater.”

I wonder if Tillman and Campbell feel the same way.