I agree that the rule is ridiculous, but I think the thing that is annoying is that the rule was there well before Ben came to Chicago (and the decision to create the rule and why is obviously a very long discussion– did the previous head-band wearers get benched for wearing it anyway?). For some reason Ben followed this rule for a while and then decided not to follow it anymore. It didn’t appear that there was any build up to it other than losing games. And again, I do not agree with the rule, but you shouldn’t change rules on the basis of a highly paid player not liking it, you should change it because it’s stupid. Everyone always complains how star players should be treated the same when comes to fouls, etc., why shouldn’t they be treated the same across the board? How does it build team morale to provide an exception for one player?

LOL

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6219708

People want to get offended when they hear the word racist, and think that is has to mean dawning the white hood and burning a cross, but there are much less extreme forms of racism. Like seeing a cultural symbol Im not familiar with and associating it with “ignorance”. I never made any judgment on him being black, but when he acted in some manner that is more a part of black culture than it is mine, I judged him for it. Sounds like a racist act to me. That doesnt change the way I view the black people I go to school with, work with, and hang out with, I view and treat them the sameway I view and treat all people, but when I see some cultural symbol that Im not familiar with, I have an intial reaction that judges it. I dont think that equates me with a Klan member, but its still a racist act.

I appreciate this blog, and I know you(s) put tons of work into it. Sorry you’re being insulted by trolls.

We can disagree and still be cool to each other. Sheesh.

I understand where you fellas are coming from when you dog Ben about this issue. Although I disagree, you both get high marks from me for the way that you’ve handled yourselves.

Respect,
the Allrights

How are they back to slavery wigs? For years Ben has made himself the center of attention by blowing out his hair and celebrating the fact that others around him pay attention to him when it’s blown out. Why make it into a racial thing by referring to the toy wigs as buckwheat back to slavery wigs?

Another thing, it’s the bulls fault for promoting Ben’s arrival with posters and billboards showing him with a headband on… but it’s Ben’s hardheadedness that admitted to knowing it was a rule and not asking if he could wear one. Instead, he just wore it. That’s where Ben is wrong… If my boss tells me I can’t use a blue pen to write things with, no matter how dumb it sounds, and I use a blue pen I deserve to be punished…

By going through team channels and perhaps getting authorization to wear a headband, he wouldnt be addressing the true problem of the team exercisin parental control over him, he would just be covering up the symptom.

I’m much more inclined to blame Skiles/Paxson for putting the integrity of the team at risk, than I am Wallace for calling him out on it.