Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
There’s no drama surrounding who’ll go No. 1 in the NBA draft Thursday when San Antonio will select French teenager Victor Wembanyama. He’ll instantly become a leading figure in the league, joining international fixtures Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic.
For real intrigue, consider the plight of two American-born stars, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.
Each is a potential “face of the league” who right now risks ridicule and derision when they step out in public. We never imagined such a shameful turn of events when Williamson and Morant went 1-2 in the 2019 draft. In the blink of four years, they’ve become All-Star ballers at unexpected crossroads.
You might see their recent indiscretions as youthful mistakes, but being young isn’t necessarily followed by being dumb. There are levels of stupid behavior at every stage of life. But certain individuals tend to max out, be they anonymous Joes or well-known celebrities.
We can’t excuse Morant for playing with guns (and/or toy guns) because he’s “only” 23 years old. Tamir Rice was half that age with a toy gun when a Cleveland cop shot and killed him. If Morant actually brandished a lighter gun on Instagram, instead of a gun-gun, I’d tack five more games on his suspension, extra credit for acing an AP class in tomfoolery.
Waving a fake weapon doesn’t lessen the imagery’s disturbing impact.
Waving something else appears to be a reason for Williamson’s embarrassing headlines.
It began with a sweet gender reveal party with his…
Read the full article here
