Criminal Comeback
Yesterday afternoon I stepped off a plane in Boise, Idaho to be greeted by the clean air, mountain foothills and the youth and vitality of a college town. Shortly after that, I was greeted by a rude awakening about the state of sports. At 37-years old, former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams is making a comeback, starting with the CBA team here in Boise. It all sounds warm and fuzzy until you get the rest of the story.
Jayson Williams killed a man. With a blood-alcohol level of at least .18, Williams played to the crowd in his mansion by pulling a rifle out and pointing it at his limo driver. He then shouted an expletive at the man and snapped the gun shut. Needless to say, it discharged and killed the man on the spot.
Williams proceeded to take his clothes off and tell a friend to get rid of them while he went for a swim in his pool before the police came. He was somehow acquitted of reckless manslaughter, pleading guilty only to covering up a crime. But the story doesn't end there. Williams will be re-tried. While he waits, he's decided to play a little hoops.
On the local Boise news, as well as an ESPN article, the reason given for Williams getting out of the NBA was "knee problems." Knee problems? Are you serious? How about "legal problems?" That seems to fit a little better here.
The kicker came when a high ranking official with the Boise CBA team was interviewed live on the local news. The reporter did an admirable job in asking the tough but necessary questions. The exchange went something like this...
Reporter: "Why have you signed Jayson Williams even though he is awaiting another trial for manslaughter?"
Boise Team Official: "Honestly, we need a rebounding presence in the paint. We think he can help us out. He might be getting a little old, but we think he can still play."
In review, the Boise team is admittedly willing to completely overlook the fact that Williams killed a man because....drum roll please...he can help them in the paint!
This shouldn't be surprising. It's nothing new. But that doesn't make it any less wrong.
Jayson Williams killed a man. With a blood-alcohol level of at least .18, Williams played to the crowd in his mansion by pulling a rifle out and pointing it at his limo driver. He then shouted an expletive at the man and snapped the gun shut. Needless to say, it discharged and killed the man on the spot.
Williams proceeded to take his clothes off and tell a friend to get rid of them while he went for a swim in his pool before the police came. He was somehow acquitted of reckless manslaughter, pleading guilty only to covering up a crime. But the story doesn't end there. Williams will be re-tried. While he waits, he's decided to play a little hoops.
On the local Boise news, as well as an ESPN article, the reason given for Williams getting out of the NBA was "knee problems." Knee problems? Are you serious? How about "legal problems?" That seems to fit a little better here.
The kicker came when a high ranking official with the Boise CBA team was interviewed live on the local news. The reporter did an admirable job in asking the tough but necessary questions. The exchange went something like this...
Reporter: "Why have you signed Jayson Williams even though he is awaiting another trial for manslaughter?"
Boise Team Official: "Honestly, we need a rebounding presence in the paint. We think he can help us out. He might be getting a little old, but we think he can still play."
In review, the Boise team is admittedly willing to completely overlook the fact that Williams killed a man because....drum roll please...he can help them in the paint!
This shouldn't be surprising. It's nothing new. But that doesn't make it any less wrong.
posted by Joe Siple | 7:49 AM
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