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Thursday, June 19, 2008

More Celtics: Players Forced to Acknowledge Scalabrine, Pollard?

As we related a few days ago, the Boston Celtics faced formidable opponents to win the NBA title. The Lakers. And White Boston Sports Fans.

Now that the Celtics have won, the rhetoric coming from some of the most significant contributors to the title makes us wonder:

Are the Black Irish being forced to acknowledge and laud the contributions of the white players at the end of the bench?

“It’s not going to be the three of us that are ultimately going to win the championship,” Ray Allen continued. “It took all 15 players. Scot Pollard contributed before he went down, and Brian Scalabrine was big, stepping up when we needed him. The things guys like that did for us as a team allowed us to shape this team.

Are we to believe that Allen, who tied a Finals record for most 3 pointers in a game and broke the record for 3 pointers in a series, spoke this propaganda on his own accord? Are we to believe that any of the top 10 players on the Celtics believe that Scalabrine or Pollard played any larger role on this team than simply appeasing the White Boston Sports Fan base?

Perhaps the most revealing indicator of the Scalabrine/Pollard factor is this:

Though he (Scalabrine) sat on the bench in street clothes, the forward ran into the locker room just prior to the end of the game and put on his uniform for the postgame celebration.

Certainly, the White Boston Sports Fans needed at least one pale skinned, Lurch-like 'hero' to be in a Celtics uniform when photographs were taken for posterity.

“I’ll tell you, it’s not that difficult to do,” he said. “Guess what? Maybe you could say I didn’t play a second, but in five years you guys are going to forget. “In 10 years I’ll still be a champion,” said Scalabrine. “In 20 years I’ll tell my kids I probably started, and in 30 years I’ll probably tell them I got the MVP. So I’m probably not too worried about it.”

So, the White Boston Sports Fans will get their wish. And another unathletic white guy will be added to the legend of the Boston Celtics greats: Havlicek, Cousy, Cowens, Heinson, McHale, Bird, etc....

And now, Brian Scalabrine. MVP of the 2008 NBA Finals.

Yet another example of revisionist, 'American' history...and the quest to erase the accomplishments of the Negro.

54 comments:

Jeremy said...

I don't really think Allen was a mouth piece to appease white Boston. Their whole philosophy all year was based around 'Ubuntu' concept Rivers pushed. As I understand it the concept means "I am who I am because of who we all are" or I am who I am because of the team. I also heard Doc say something about leaning into each other and relying on each other when times were hard. What he said seems to echo the concepts that they emphasized as a team all year.

Certainly the way they won reiterates. Defense is something that takes a concerted team effort while offense is more individualistic. They won more because of their cohesive defensive play than anything.

I for one will remember the team concept they played with, relying on a different supporting cast member to step up on different nights. Also the willingness of Garnett, Allen and Pierce to forgo some individual glory for the sake of the team. In particular I will remember the will of Pierce to win games.

As a last point I think the willingness of the super stars to subjugate themselves to the team concept further emphasizes that the concept that the tried to view themselves as a unit.

Dave the Wave said...

"As a last point I think the willingness of the super stars to subjugate themselves to the team concept further emphasizes that the concept that the tried to view themselves as a unit."

you are one naive nut.

Unknown said...

The only appreciation Celtic's fans have for Scal or Pollard, is their contribution of comic relief.

Do fans in the Garden cheer when Scalabrine comes into the game? Yes, because it signifies a Celtic's blow-out, and again, he is essentially a walking punch-line.

Allen was acknowledging gabe pruitt or glen davis as much as the white players, but i guess that wouldn't fit with your perception of boston and their fans.

Sam Jackson's Love Child said...

ray allen is black?

Rjeatkinson said...

I guess you don't have to be white to be an ignorant racist afterall...what a disgrace.

Ray Allen is a class act and he embraces the team as a whole and now he is some sort of Uncle Tom who is "forced" to acknowledge scrub bench players because they are white? I am sure you wrote this just to cause a stir because no one can really be dumb enough to really think this way...right? Please, tell me this is a joke to fire people up...

Doug the Punter said...

Is this post for real? It can't be. Do you really think that white Bostonians impeded the Celtics quest for a championship? Do you really think Ray was being anything other then overly-gracious when complementing the bench players? C'mon, Boston catches a lot of undeserved and unearned flack for allegedly being racist and garbage like this just furthers the misconception.

Aaron G. said...

You've obviously not paid much, if any, attention to the Celtics this season.

Allen's comments fall right in line with the team's season-long philosophy. Give it a rest, Jemele.

MMurr said...

Say what you will about the others, but Havlicek and Cousy were never unathletic.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Allen was acknowledging gabe pruitt or glen davis as much as the white players, but i guess that wouldn't fit with your perception of boston and their fans."

Sir, too, he didn't MENTION them.

He went out of his way, possibly by coercion, to acknowledge the Scal and the Pollard.

And, sir, it isn't our perception of Boston and the fans.

It is the image they project.

Blame them for allowing us to perceive them as racists.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Ray Allen is a class act and he embraces the team as a whole and now he is some sort of Uncle Tom who is "forced""

Sir, we never said Uncle Tom.

Never.

We know Uncle Tom's, sir.

And R. Allen is no Uncle Tom.

But, who could argue that their had to be some compelling reason to mention the Scal and the Pollard?

And by compelling reason, we mean white ownership.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Do you really think that white Bostonians impeded the Celtics quest for a championship?"

Sir, clearly, NO.

WBSF's did not 'impede' the quest. They provided the inner drive for Doc and the top ten players. The desire to defeat the WBSF was as strong as the desire to beat the Lakers.

That is a force to be reckoned with....so, impeded? No. Hateful fans who root for the 'team', but against the memebers is not a strong enough force.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Say what you will about the others, but Havlicek and Cousy were never unathletic."

Sir, agreed.


.....compared to the 'others'.

Felipe said...

Why don't we just find racism in everything we can?

This might be the dumbest blog I've ever encountered. Does that make me a racist?

Until people like you stop finding reasons to become offended, this country will not get over race. It's that simple.

Aaron G. said...

"WBSF's did not 'impede' the quest. They provided the inner drive for Doc and the top ten players. The desire to defeat the WBSF was as strong as the desire to beat the Lakers."

Sir, again, clearly you've paid no attention to Boston all season long.

Here is a quote from KG, "Since day one, man, Paul told me that this city is unlike any other city when it comes to sports, and you give them a reason, they will jump on and they will be behind you even when you're losing or even when you're going through tough times. I got to see that."

Clearly, sir, KG isn't implying a "us VERSUS them" mentality, but an "us AND them" mindset.

Oh, I forgot, KG is the Manchurian Candidate the microchip Wyc inserted into his brain caused him to say this. My bad.

Unknown said...

my point being, dig a little deeper and you will find numerous comments from ray allen, paul pierce, kevin garnett praising all bench/role players including both scalabrine, pollard and davis, pruitt.

allen listing pollard and scalabrine illustrates the team unity with an extreme example. acknowledging by name those- that from the outside- seem to have contributed the least; but to the team as a whole, had integral value.

perception requires interaction between the signified and the sign receiver. it is disingenuous to say boston's citizen's allow you to believe only one way, as if it is beyond your faculties to feel differently.

Unknown said...

ok. worst article by fa. Ray Allen was complementing Scott and Scal cause they NEVER play EVER. Scal coulda came out in that 39pt victory did he? i didnt see him. Glenn Davis plays minutes and got alot of em during the year.

How about you call Doc Rivers racist for not playing Leon Powe barely at all after he had an amazing game 2, I mean Doc is married to a white woman.

Does that sound rediculous? Ofcourse it does, thats cause your article is rediculous too.

Stop blaming white people or fans, they pay money to see their beloved teams, theres always racists all over the world, and reverse racism on your part is just as bad as any white racist, at least white racist dont go around blogging insane idealogical ideas like youve just done about these white NbA players.

And if they were so unathletic they wouldnt be in the NBA being paid right now, are you? Didnt think so.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Give it a rest, Jemele."

Sir, while we appreciate the compliment. No, Jemele does not write here.

But, that we evoke the same type of response that her well thought out columns evoke....well, we appreciate your sentiment.

"You've obviously not paid much, if any, attention to the Celtics this season."

We haven't?

Really?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Scal coulda came out in that 39pt victory did he?"

Sir, he was in a suit on the bench.

He came out in a uniform when it was time for pictures.

Aaron G. said...

"...her well thought out columns ..."

Cleary, sir, you are certifiably insane. Or illiterate. Or both.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Until people like you stop finding reasons to become offended, this country will not get over race. It's that simple."

Sir, 'get over race'?

And WE are the ones causing problems?

Aaron G. said...

""You've obviously not paid much, if any, attention to the Celtics this season."

We haven't?

Really?"

You have 3 columns tagged for the Celtics, none of which show any sort of insight into the team. It sure looks like, no, you haven't.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Cleary, sir, you are certifiably insane. Or illiterate. Or both."

Sir, the presence of our blog itself refutes your 'illiterate' insult.

Thank you.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"You have 3 columns tagged for the Celtics, none of which show any sort of insight into the team. It sure looks like, no, you haven't."

Sir, we looked at our blog tags.

We had no tags that said, 'dinner'.

Yet we eat dinner every night.

Odd.

Aaron G. said...

"Sir, the presence of our blog itself refutes your 'illiterate' insult.

Thank you."

Sir, is it not possible that you have a literate mother or uncle who may be typing your verbal rhetoric on said blog... meaning that you very well may be illiterate and still post antagonizing, desperate for page-view articles?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Sir, is it not possible that you have a literate mother or uncle who may be typing your verbal rhetoric on said blog... meaning that you very well may be illiterate and still post antagonizing, desperate for page-view articles?"

Sir, you are on to us.

And we thank you for your continual views.

Aaron G. said...

"And we thank you for your continual views."

Touché , sir. Touché!

Keven said...

funny, all these apologists for the racism that defines boston! you know, none of them cared when the celts were losers after bird retired. in fact, they were proud racists! but now, they wanna pretend they like the black players that won!

MMurr said...

The racism that pervades Boston sports certainly cannot be ignored. This is a town that "tolerates" Manny Being Manny, yet looks back with nothing but fondness on Sox pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee and local boy Mark Fidrych, both of whom were much more eccentric and much less productive than Manny. For decadees, under the leadership of late owner Tom Yawkey, the Sox were the most racist team in MLB. They were the last team in the majors to field a black player, and refused tryouts to both Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays due to their race.

But that's ancient history, one might refute. True, but I will ask two questions. 1. Why do Patriot fans love Wes Welker so much more after one season than they ever loved Troy Brown, who was without question much more valuable to the Pats (when they actually won Super Bowls) and 2. When has an NBA assistant coach gotten as much praise as (white) Tom Thibodeau is getting for his defensive genius?

Many more examples can be found, but these are some of the more blatant.

Biff Whammy (aka ACMEsalesrep) said...

Damn, people -- it's the Nation of Islam Sportsblog. What were you were expecting? Paeans to a white guy from Indiana?

Job said...

Having lived in both Boston and LA, among other places (and currently back in Brooklyn), I am confident that branding a particular city as racist is ultimately unjustified. Racism is everywhere; those in the white underclass may be more vocal about it, while it lays latent in the privileged. Whites in segregated cities such as Boston and LA, however, are not forced to confront their racism as often as those in New York.

And though I find it unlikely that Ray Allen was specifically asked to acknowledge Pollard and Scalabrine, I do wonder why, subconsciously, he felt the need to.

OriginalODB said...

Of all the people I know, Troy Brown is much more appreciated and loved than Welker. I feel like your being overly harsh towards Boston. I agree that Scalabrine is loved in this city because he is white but not because of racism but rather look at the guy, he is a goofy looking redhead, he doesn't look athletic, He makes us think (probably mostly subconciously) 'that if I was 8 inches taller that could of been me"

Its strange I feel the need to defend a city I don't live in and have no interest moving to but Im from NH so I guess Boston kind of includes me as far as sports go.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"I am confident that branding a particular city as racist is ultimately unjustified."

Sir, your confidence is unfounded.

"Whites in segregated cities such as Boston and LA, however, are not forced to confront their racism as often as those in New York."

Sir, who 'segregated' the cities?

Exactly.

And that is why we can liberally and without challenge label a city such as Boston as racist.

Without challenge...WITH OUT...CHALLENGE!

"I do wonder why, subconsciously, he felt the need to."

Possibly, because he is a Negro who works for a man who holds the job title 'Owner'...but that is just a guess as to what may be in R. Allen's subconscious.

Doug the Punter said...

It's fair to say that there are people in Boston that are racist but labeling a whole city racist is pretty absurd. Painting with that broad a brush is pretty dangerous and almost always unfair and incorrect. (The governor, Deval Patrick, is black...)

Also, I don't know how one can root for a team but against the team's members. I think most Celtics fans loves all of the players, regardless of color. At least I do.

Show me a Pats fan who likes Wes Welker more than Troy Brown and I'll show you an idiot/bandwagon jumper. Troy Brown is probably the most beloved Pat ever. I was at a Bruins game and he was there; he got by far the loudest cheer of the whole night when they showed him on the Jumbotron.

Doug the Punter said...

"none of them cared when the celts were losers after bird retired."

My Walter McCarty and Ryan Gomes jerseys say differently...

Job said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Job said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Job said...

"Sir, who 'segregated' the cities?"

White people via economic and institutional control (mainly legislative, with help from judicial and executive), zoning laws, and when those failed, violence and intimidation. Same as every other city in America.

"Without challenge...WITH OUT...CHALLENGE!"

I can see why you may fear an intellectual challenge at this point. Keep your eyes and ears up and your voice low but firm while you search.

Edit- It'd be nice if I could type.

blackboy said...

it is not that hard to erase the accomplishments of the Negro...becuz there aren't many....hahaha j/k

ZEKE said...

"My Walter McCarty and Ryan Gomes jerseys say differently..."

yea, they say you are a moron.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"I can see why you may fear an intellectual challenge at this point."

Sir, the level of our fear of intellectual challenge is only matched by your ability to provide one.

Chi-Town said...

I stumbled into this blog googling PacMan's girlfriend that was found dead in the past few days. I must say, interesting reading all the same.

Look, I'm a white guy. And I'm voting for Obama. I don't care what color you are - just get the job done.

I'm also a Piston fan, and still bitter about the losses to the Celtics. But I still rooted for the C's, as Allen, Garnett and Pierce are standup players, and earned the Rings, if for anything, what they did in the Finals.

I will come back to read this blog. If for anything, the education of another person's perspective on Life. But I would also hope that the author of this blog also try to continue to look outside his own reality, and see what other people see... Just watch the Political Process unfolding before our eyes now..!?! Obama has people coming out in MASS, believing again that this Country can create and maintain CHANGE.

Does this Country have some dark history? Yes. Do all countries? Yes. We have to learn from the past and make the future a better place for our Own. The ignorance that is debated on in these posts, in my opinion, is taught.

Stamp it out. And turn the other cheek. Be a Man, and stand tall like a Man, and force change. Change amongst the Haters, and Change from Within.

Done preaching... Back to all y'all..

blackboy said...

Obama ain't no better than any pale skinned poilitican.. he just talks a good game.. and America is buying it...at least for now...we will see.

Doug the Punter said...

"'My Walter McCarty and Ryan Gomes jerseys say differently...'

yea, they say you are a moron."

hahaha, touche. a moronic celtics fan, yes.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Look, I'm a white guy. And I'm voting for Obama."

Sir, we bet you even have a Negro friend or two, dontchya?

White guilt...the key to getting our man in the House.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Does this Country have some dark history? Yes."

Sir, you mean does this country have 'white' history.

Please cease with the negative connotations for dark or black.

Thank you in advance for your compliance.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Obama ain't no better than any pale skinned poilitican.."

Sir, why set the bar so low?

Dave the Wave said...

"'Ubuntu' "

keep your jibangi jibberish out of here!

Chi-Town said...

nation_of_islam_sportsblog ("N.O.I.S.")

"..we bet you even have a Negro friend or two, dontchya? White guilt...the key to getting our man in the House..."

"..Sir, you mean does this country have 'white' history. Please cease with the negative connotations for dark or black..."

NOIS,
..And my education continues. Seems anything one writes, can be taken the wrong way, by anyone, however they choose.

I have no guilt; can't change the past; can only try to help shape a better tomorrow for us all.

I personally am not going to pay attention to the colors of the politics, red, blue, white, black, or any other color your going to tag me as I type this comment to your blog... I'm voting for a the person I believe emobodies the same emotions and hopes that I want our - OUR - country to have.

You can write my comments, and my opinion off as guilt, or whatever, but I'm not buying it. I'm certain you know what I'm saying. But for your purposes in your blog, you'll right your own public "take" on that..that's cool. Your show here. I'm just reading along.

NOIS - have a good weekend. And by the way, this sting about Salabrine and Pollard? I believe that teams have limits for playoff rosters, to Scab had to sit on the bench regardless of health. As he's one of 300 ballers in the League full of some of the best athletes around, I'm guessing he's got game - even for a guy that goes by the name Scalabrine. Pollard was in Detroit for a spell. He's just an idiot.

Be well NOIS. I'll check back in later..

Job said...

"Sir, the level of our fear of intellectual challenge is only matched by your ability to provide one."

Sir, if nothing else you have proven yourself capable of throwing off not-so-clever one liners. All window dressing, very little substance. You actually seem to have a sharp mind, but until you confront intellectual dishonesty you will remain powerless to effect meaningful change. What, other than preach in the comfy confines of your own blog, do you do to help the lives of black and brown people?

Also, the "Sir" thing is played out. You're not the Economist.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"I have no guilt; can't change the past; can only try to help shape a better tomorrow for us all."

Sir, so you freely admit that you believe the only way to change the ills of America is to turn the keys over to a Negro.

Interesting.

"I personally am not going to pay attention to the colors of the politics, red, blue, white, black, or any other color your going to tag me as I type this comment to your blog... "

Sir, in your attempts to convince others you are 'color blind'...remember: There is NO such thing. There is blind, tho...as in someone who CAN'T see.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Also, the "Sir" thing is played out. You're not the Economist."

Sir, and you aren't the first to point out that we aren't the Economist.

Well done.

We take back our dig on your ability to argue from an intellectual position.

Identifying that we are not the Economist certainly works in your favor on that point.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

" but until you confront intellectual dishonesty"

Sir, we stand tall in resistance to your charge.

Job said...

And light dawns...

I've gotta say, I'm impressed. The amount of work that goes into maintaining this facade speaks of someone truly dedicated to the art of satire.

Weinberg the Business Manager is a nice touch.

Well played, Sir.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"The amount of work that goes into maintaining this "

Sir, commitment is the mechanism for change.

Obama '08

yes, we can change!