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Home > Forums & Conversations > Sound Off > LeAnne Harrington > Where Has the Sportsmanship Gone?
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Where Has the Sportsmanship Gone?
Started March 28, 2007 @ 11:11am by otter
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otter
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| Where Has the Sportsmanship Gone? | March 28, 2007 @ 11:11am | Post your comments about LeAnne's "Where Has the Sportsmanship Gone?" article here by replying to this post.
Click on the link above to view LeAnne's article in full. |
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Last Edit: March 28, 2007 @ 1:54pm by otter | |
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| Unsportsmanlike? | March 28, 2007 @ 1:38pm | I agree that there is a lack of sportsmanship these days, that's one reason I don't watch many men's games. I absolutely believe there should have been consequences for Jessica Davenport, even though the officials missed the foul call. It was intentional physical harm to another player and could have had resulted in a serious injury.
I have to disagree with you, LeAnne, on equating Candace Parker's game chat with blatantly bashing a player in the face with an elbow. Taunting opposing teammates is done in one way or another by almost every player on the floor. If you were an athlete, try to remember back to the emotion of being in the midst of the competition, especially one where your season continuation or end rested on the outcome. Were you emotionless? Did you ever say anything out loud or under your breath about something during the course of the game?
Even though Candace's "Are you serious?" was replayed ad nausium over the course of the next several hours, did you ever anyone showing any chat from Shantell Black? Do you know that there wasn't any from anyone else on either team over the course of the game? They really had no reason to look for, or replay, similar actions from any other player on the floor. And really, with the noise in the arena and the fact that Black turned and went the other direction after the block, do you really thing she heard Candace? The story of the game was Candace Parker, that's why the media repeatedly showed the clip, saying they agreed with the sentiment. If that is unsportsmanlike to you, what do you call Ivory Latta's emotional outbursts displayed last night and in every game she plays, many in-your-face displays towards opponents?
You don't have to like Candace, or anything she does. Stars always have their fans and their foes. "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" seems to be out of context here, in my opinion. |
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Last Edit: March 28, 2007 @ 1:45pm by Guest | |
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| sportsmanship, or lack thereof | March 28, 2007 @ 2:28pm | I am in complete agreement with LeAnne and have long been appalled by the on-court behavior of both Candace Parker and Ivory Latta, among others. It's an ATHLETIC competition, nothing else. They should feel priveleged to have the opportunity to compete with others, including those who don't quite measure up to their immense talents, and feel blessed that they are able to play at such a high level. It doesn't make them better people, it just makes them better basketball players. So what? The assertion that "everybody does it" is neither true, nor an excuse for bad behavior. Trash talk and taunting may have become a part of the game (especially the men's, now--which is one reason I rarely watch them) but it is not a good part and coaches and players should be doing what they can to eliminate it.
Some of us never played at a level comparable to Division I, but our games were every bit as fierce and competitive--and often against close friends. We'd do our best to beat each other within an inch of our lives...and then go out for dinner and a drink. That's sportsmanship.
Sportsmanship is about honoring your opponent and the game; losing without complaining and winning without gloating. Anything less dishonors the sport and all of the women who paved the way to provide the kind of stage that Candace and Ivory are priveleged to perform on. That's a shame. And it's unacceptable, especially to those of us who do love the game. |
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| Sportsmanship is... | March 28, 2007 @ 2:50pm | exactly what Candace and her teammates did giving Armentie Price a standing ovation from their bench, when she left the game.
An unsportsmanship claim over harmless displays of emotion during a game is a bit overboard. Hey, I know, would it be better put them back in skirts and send them to charm school so they'll act like nice little ladies before we let them play ball? Sheez! |
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Last Edit: March 28, 2007 @ 3:46pm by Guest | |
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otter
Administrator
Posts: 11 |
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| Let me just begin my opine with this... | March 28, 2007 @ 6:43pm | Definition of Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unsportsmanlike conduct (or unsporting behavior, or archaically ungentlemanly conduct) is a term used in most professional sports to refer to a particular player or team who have acted inappropriately and/or unprofessionally in the context of the game.
Such behavior is not necessarily illegal according to the sport in question's rules, but is frowned upon by the vast majority of both players and spectators.
Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct include taunting an opposition player, the referee or the crowd, spitting, arguing, fighting, and losing one's temper.
MOST RECENT LIVING EXAMPLE IN THE WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT PLAY:
Ole Miss vs. Tennessee March 27, 2007 from ESPN Transcript 1st Half
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Dave Pasch (play by play commentator): [whistle]..."Lisa Mattingly talking with Candace Parker after the last look that she gave her, telling her, don't do that again. No taunting. Parker saying, okay, I won't. We'll see if she follows up on that." |
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As for my opinion, I think any player, regardless of what team she plays for should be disciplined by the coach, the officials or the NCAA for this type of behavior. I'm not sure how yet, lol...but I'm thinking about it.
Here's my .02
First let me be clear...if Candace Parker played for any team other than Tennessee I would still feel the same way about her behavior. As some of you know, I'm not a real big fan of the orange, but I do try to be objective when it comes to the game and it's talented players. I pretty much hold every human being to the same set of standards.... treat others with dignity and respect even if you don't like them or their team lol. But I digress...get used to it - it happens frequently...see there I did it again...
Back on topic...Candace Parker...We are going to hear her name constantly, that's a given -- the fact remains she has proved more than once that she is unsportsmanlike as an individual. Most recently in last night's elite eight game, not once, but twice in less than three plays. You can't deny it - it's on tape and in print. It's a fact not an attack. She is not the only one, but perhaps the most visible one right now next to Ivory Latta, who, yes has had her own moments but not every game.
Regardless of whom, I believe someone of their caliber needs to be held accountable as a role model (wanted or not). I'm sure we all understand getting caught up in the emotion of a game, that's to be expected. But to taunt others is what bullies do and nobody likes a bully -- except other bullies. And quite frankly, I don't believe anybody wants to watch a bunch of snot-nosed brats play basketball, no matter how good they are or what school they attend.
My point is this...I think we all want the best for our sport. And if the "best players" like Parker, Latta, Davenport, etc. can't behave better than this then it's time WE SPEAK OUT about it. After all, would you really want your daughter or son acting like this on a court? Is that really acceptable? Not in my book EVER.
Maybe I hold women to a higher standard, but I don't think it's one bit unreasonable to expect them to behave in a sportsmanlike way. Why sink when you can fly? |
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| Sportsmanship | March 28, 2007 @ 7:35pm | An interesting debate. Obviously, we all have strong feelings about it.
I'm not asking anyone to hold back on emotion (and where the idea of skirts and charm school came from is anybody's guess--what's that got to do with ANYTHING?) but there is a huge difference between emotions and actions. There are an infinite number of ways to express a strong emotion and belittling someone else is not an acceptable one. That's true in basketball or business--or life in general. It's about growing up...and realizing that the universe actually doesn't revolve around you!
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| It's a shame... | March 28, 2007 @ 7:45pm | everyone's concern seems to be with a player or players exhibiting too much emotion during a game, when I'd love to see the same passionate outrage and demand for accountability for Davenport's assult during THAT tournament game.
The taunting, game chat, emotional exhibitions always seem much worse when it's a player/team we don't particularly like. The "unsportsmanlike" opinions are subjective as well. We can agree to disagree. There seemed to be NO doubt regarding Jessica's actions. |
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Last Edit: March 28, 2007 @ 8:36pm by Guest | |
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| March 28, 2007 @ 8:55pm | | Good point cluckhead........it should be an interesting game between NC& TN. Perhaps Candace and Ivory will observe the behavior of each other and realize how silly they really look. I have watched both Candace and Ivory play in other games where they conducted themselves properly. In fact, I believe Ivory has toned it down a bit and is all business and about winning a championship. It could be that she really isn't the major cog in wheel this year. |
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| sportsmanship, assault | March 28, 2007 @ 9:24pm | I am certainly in agreement with basketloon about the Davenport assault--and many others that we see during the course of too many games. Unfortunately, we are all at the mercy of the referees for enforcement of those rules.I am very unimpressed by the crews that work SEC games and I see a lot of those same faces, officiating in this tournament. I'm not accusing them of bias--I just think they can't keep up with the speed and evolution of the game.
Their first priority should be the protection of the players (those are some big, strong women) and some of them seem a lot more interested in posing for the audience than keeping up with the action. |
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| Candace and Ivory | March 28, 2007 @ 9:33pm | Hi Gamecocks 07! (go Gamecocks!)
I can't imagine anyone on either team having time to waste on anything other than playing the best they can, when it comes to Sunday's UT v. UNC matchup. I sincerely hope that Candace is really on her game and that Latta has nothing to smile/holler about.
Let's have an all-SEC championship game, this year!
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| SEC Champ | March 28, 2007 @ 9:37pm | | Even though my bias would be for Tennessee to win, I'll agree to either SEC team taking the championship. The LSU players have worked very hard all season, and if it's their time to shine, so be it. GO SEC! |
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Last Edit: March 28, 2007 @ 9:38pm by Guest | |
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| NCAA Championship | March 28, 2007 @ 9:44pm | Here, we are in complete agreement.
In fact, I'm not sure if I even have an emotional favorite here. I am a long-time follower of Pat and UT and have immeasurable admiration for what she's done. But LSU--and the drama and trauma they've had to endure--it makes it hard not to pull for them. Plus, Sylvia is awesome to watch.
If it's a UT/LSU final (which I'm seriously hoping for) all I want is a good, tough game.
Just a bonus that it will remind the WBB world that the SEC is the PREMIERE conference in the game, something the Selection Committee apparently needs to be reminded of.
Go SEC!! |
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otter
Administrator
Posts: 11 |
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| New categories added for NCAA tourny!! | March 28, 2007 @ 9:45pm | Greetings everyone,
Since we've mixed this topic with some game matchup discussion, I've opened up two NCAA categories for our SEC games. Feel free to chat about each game specifically as follows:
You'll find the UT vs. UNC category here.
And the LSU vs. Rutgers category here.
Therea are also individual SEC team categories now as well. Just check the main forum page and you'll see them!
Enjoy and go SEC!!!!! |
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| Sportsmanship | March 28, 2007 @ 10:35pm | | It is wonderful that eveerone expects the best from our young people. However, the world in which we all live in does not respect or seem to expect sportsmanship from its citizens. How can we expect these young women to meet this expectation when they do not have sufficient example to follow? |
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| March 29, 2007 @ 12:06am | I knew when I wrote my editorial it would spark some conversations... I am glad it has led to some serious discourse on the subject. It shows that people care, and that's always a good thing, no matter which team your allegiance lies with.
First, I would like to clarify a few things. At no point did I ever intend my comments concerning Davenport and Parker to be construed as equating their actions to one another. Davenport's actions were reprehensible and should have been addressed by the NCAA, albeit after the fact, in much the same manner the NBA took up the Kobe Bryant incident after the fact. Since she is a senior (in fact she missed her graduation ceremony last Sunday) and Ohio State's season ended with that loss to Marist, I'm not sure how her actions can now be addressed. If Ohio State had won that game, my recommendation would have been a one-game suspension. Since her collegiate career is now over, I'm afraid a deplorable action which seemed to want to cause harm to another player will now go unpunished.
Parker's display, although by no means equitable, was likewise distasteful. My only comparison between the two is that they both were actions more suited to the men's game. In our quest to grow the women's game, we can learn many good points from the men's game in regards to marketing and promotions, but I don't want to see the sport I love devolve into cheap fouls and taunting. The two may be commonplace in men's college basketball, but I say -- leave it there.
And make no mistake: Parker was warned by referee Lisa Mattingly to discontinue the taunting. Read my article again: I have no problem with a player's exuberance for an excellent play. By all means, celebrate with your teammates by giving high fives or chest bumps or whatever your method of celebration may be. Where I draw the line is when your comments or actions are directed towards your opponent. In my book, that is unsportsmanlike. Period. The line btween the two is thin, but there is a line. And if the players are unable to delineate where that line lies, then it is the responsibilty of coaches (or referees in this case) to point it out.
I have played sports all my life and have been fortunate in that each coach I have played for has stressed for us to let our game do the talking. Taunting was never tolerated. Is Parker the only guilty party in the game today? Absolutely not. Latta comes to mind, although the commentators in last night's game remarked that she has toned it down somewhat. She needed to, in my opinion. I would have the same opinion about Parker and Latta no matter what the name is on the front of their jersey.
I have five nephews and as they were growing up and competing in sports, I always cautioned them about who their sports heroes were. They are now raising families of their own, and I hope my great-nieces and nephews will also choose wisely in who they choose to emulate.
Players who compete at the highest level are under much scrutiny. But I am not holding them to any higher standards than those which I hold myself to. Play the game, play it to the best of your abilities, and always show respect for your opponent. To do anything less is cheating yourself of being the best player and person you can be.
Thanks to all who have commented. I appreciate knowing that people care about the women's game as much as I do. |
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Last Edit: March 29, 2007 @ 1:54am by LeAnne | |
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| good sportsmanship isn't about being "ladylike" | March 29, 2007 @ 6:38pm | | ...it's about having character. I don't care if you're man, woman, trans-gender, whatever. |
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