In the past year, there have been three instances where an NBA player has physically attacked another player either during or before a game. Just recently, Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons threw a punch at Drew Eubanks of the Suns during a confrontation prior to their matchup on Wednesday night. Another incident occurred earlier this season when Draymond Green struck Jusuf Nurkic in the face. In April of last year, Green stomped on the chest of Domantas Sabonis, who plays for the Kings. It is worth noting that in each of these cases, a black player assaulted a white player. This trend, however, has not received much attention, possibly due to the fact that white players make up only 16.8 percent of the NBA. So, how is it possible that all three players who were assaulted happened to be white?
The root of the issue seems to be the players’ heightened emotional reactions in the heat of the moment. These outbursts of violence stem from preexisting animosity and charged emotions. Former players Kendrick Perkins and Gilbert Arenas mentioned last year that some black players hold the belief that white players lack the skills to compete on the same level as black players and rely on systemic advantages to succeed. Doug Gottlieb, a former college basketball player and Fox Sports Radio host, explained that many black individuals, as well as some white individuals, share the perception that white players are not as talented and require special treatment in order to be seen as equals on the basketball court. Arenas even went as far as to encourage further violence against white players, albeit in a joking manner.
Unfortunately, this negative perception of white competitors was evident in 2020 when Montrezl Harrell received support from both players and media members after he directed a derogatory remark at Luka Doncic, referring to him as a “bitch ass white boy.” The media and social media platforms often perpetuate the idea that white players are privileged, leading black players to view them as adversaries. The phrase “The Great White Hope” has been used multiple times in the past year when discussing players like Jokic, Luka, and Caitlin Clark. This further reinforces the false notion that the majority white population hopes for the failure of black players simply because of their race.
Repeated exposure to these falsehoods can lead individuals to internalize and believe them, regardless of the lack of evidence supporting such claims. It appears that there are now black players in the NBA who genuinely hold these beliefs. This sentiment is not limited to basketball; NFL players, including Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, and Richard Sherman, have also expressed similar views. They argue that if a black player had reacted the way Travis Kelce did towards Andy Reid on the Super Bowl sideline, they would have faced severe consequences. However, a closer look at Hill’s history of domestic violence reveals a lack of significant repercussions.
When there is a perception of privilege and fortune associated with certain individuals, it is natural to feel a sense of resentment towards them. Therefore, it is not surprising to witness some black players losing their composure in heated moments involving white competitors. This trend can be attributed to both a more divided culture and the emergence of white superstars in basketball. Since the 1980s, when Larry Bird was one of the dominant figures in the sport, there has not been a white player who has challenged for the title of the best basketball player in the world. Presently, players like Jokic and Luka are arguably the top two players globally. Similarly, Caitlin Clark is widely regarded as the best women’s basketball player in the nation, showcasing exceptional talent.
However, as Clark prepares to enter the WNBA next season, there are concerns that she may face similar levels of hostility and racism that white NBA players have experienced. Jason Whitlock and Dan Dakich have warned that she could encounter animosity from both black players and lesbian players due to her Catholic faith and personal life choices. Instances such as Angel Reese aggressively gesturing towards Clark’s face after winning the championship last season, as well as former WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes spreading lies to diminish Clark’s accomplishments, highlight the existing resentment towards white players. These consequences are a direct result of racial divisions and the failure to address blatant anti-white racism, which is often overlooked by the sports media.
Given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if another white player is assaulted in the NBA this season. If the over/under on such incidents is set at 0.5, it would be advisable to take the over.
According to the Source outkick.com