nitetrain8601

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 05:50 PM) That's ridiculously harsh, hell, people don't even get those kinds of penalties when they're found to be guilty of plagiarism. Not really. This is beyond plagarism. The guy's grades were altered, changed, or not even his. This is way worse than regular plagarism. It's way worse than Sampson last year overall. The only reason why more people are acting careless about it or trying to put it under the rug, is because it's Derrick Rose, from Chicago playing on the hometown Bulls.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 02:42 PM) 5 hours before game starts Well there's 90% chance of thunderstorms from what I've been hearing. I got tickets tonight and really want to go to on my day off. Dammit!

Really looks like this one is not going to get in. Clouds are turning super dark again.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 11:12 AM) Everyone in this thread still proves me right. It seems that because it's Lebron, he's supposed to go out of his way to show that he's a classy individual. Well guess what people, he's human. If this was anyone else on that team that left, no one here would give two s***s. But since it's the guy who was supposed to win it all, the MVP, etc. Now he's a b**** or selfish because he didn't congratulate the winning team. Get the f*** outta here. I'm sure all of you have always made the unselfish decision when it matters. If Kobe did the same it would be magnified. Hell when Shaq and Kobe wouldn't shake hands it was magnified. When the Pistons didn't shake the Bulls hands after they got swept, it was a big deal. So no, it's not just LeBron. LeBron gets the worse heat though because he was the one showboating, posing before home games, and is supposed to be a class act. This guy probably hasn't known anything about class since 8th grade.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ May 31, 2009 -> 09:26 AM) Because he smiles alot? Probably.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 31, 2009 -> 07:54 AM) Anthony Reyes needs season-ending surgery. Edwin Jackson has pitched like this more then a few times in his professional career and then started walking everyone in the park. I suggest we wait a few more weeks before anointing him. Eh. When he got to TB, they fixed him. The only reason why they got rid of him is because they have cheaper options who may pan out to be just as good as him like Wade Davis.

Also, LeBron got off the team bus according to Craig Sager and didn't go back to the hotel with his teammates or even fly home. Instead, he called his mother and will be staying in Orlando for awhile with her. So apparently, the guy doesn't even care about his teammates. You win as a team, you lose as a team. His supporting cast being bad is a poor excuse because in the regular season, everyone was up in arms about how great of a supporting cast they have and how they are so great defensively. I never got why so many guys see him as classy. He took the Hummer in high school which his mother couldn't afford, He tatooed Chosen1 on his back and started calling himself King James. He also started doing stupid poses before each home game. If Kobe did that, people would be up in arms. LeBron does it any it's okay.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 30, 2009 -> 09:59 PM) Oh, please. That's all hearsay. And highly likely BULLs*** at that. I'm convinced that just about every program cheats. If you're not cheating, you're not trying. And then there's this: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...0,7230960.story Do you honestly believe that the same NEVER happens for athletes at illinois??? C'mon now... Right. Because there can't be a clean program out there. I don't believe in any of that. Weber actually ran a clean program. I didn't like the guy, love Bill Self, wanted Thad Matta, and I'm a UNC fan. With that said, I know Weber ran a clean program and many said that would be the death of him because he refuses to baby players and suck them off just to come to the university. As far as his current players, that's a different story.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 29, 2009 -> 02:58 PM) RIIGHT... If it's worth anything. Weber refuses to partake in any of that. Reggie originally wanted money just to allow Derrick to visit and open up recruiting to each school. Weber stated absolutely not and became hot after that. Like really really really pissed off.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxfan1986 @ May 29, 2009 -> 02:04 PM) What's the background on Reggie Rose? What has he done to get the reputation he has? Sucked at life. Started his own AAU team to put Derrick on, facilitated money from others through this AAU team and took them as "donations". Brokered a pre-arranged deal with Adidas for Rose to go to an Adidas school which is why the Illini seemed to be out of the picture suddenly, and the three contenders were Indiana, Memphis and DePaul. Reggie and Derrick agreed DePaul was not big time enough(hell, I agree on that), and with Gordon going to Indiana, that wouldn't allow Derrick to excel and be the man which is what Sonny Vaccaro wanted. Derrick reopened the Illini as an option because he seemed to actually like Weber and Reggie allowed him to talk to them to save face and try to make the allegation go away that Derrick was just looking at Adidas schools. Reggie locked the deal down with Coach Cal once the money was funneled. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if it was Reggie who had someone sit in for Derrick's SAT's and facilitated the alteration of grades. As far as everyone else knew in terms of coaches, Sampson, Weber, Wainwright, all thought he would qualify without a hitch. I stopped following the rest of the tracks a while back. Keep in mind, I also did mention he would pick Adidas as his athletic clothing company of choice much before he announced it after getting drafted. Reggie is a douche really from all accounts, even to some of the people who helped him with Reggie. Derrick will only listen to Reggie.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 29, 2009 -> 11:41 AM) A lot of this also comes down to Reggie Rose who clearly is the ring leader in this. Derrick is clearly not the sharpest knife in the drawer and Reggie needed to live vicariously through Derrick to realize his own failed basketball dreams. So he probably told Derrick there is nothing wrong with cheating on the SAT, everyone does it to play college b-ball and told him more lies. He looks up to his brother in a big way and follows his orders acquiescently. I blame Derrick a lot and this shows what a moron he is, his lack of character and really makes me like him less, but Reggie Rose is the biggest culprit IMO. 100% agreed and I hope a lot more people realize this. I won't absolve Derrick in his part, but I think his brother completely brainwashed him. Reggie has been trying to live through his brother since Reggie didn't do anything past high school.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 29, 2009 -> 09:19 AM) So I am curious about those who think Calipari is some sort of scumbag, but Rose is OK. What is the difference between the two? They both cheated their asses off, why is one guy having excuses made for him? I agree and said that all day yesterday. Supposedly though, Cal is a slimeball and Derrick can do no wrong and if he does, it's justified because he's just a kid. I personally think that's BS. There are a ton of other student athletes who are just kids. This is way worse than OJ Mayo, way worse than a Maurice Clarrett.

I don't know. If a reporter like Selena Roberts wants to dig deep, she probably would find the pre-arranged deal with Adidas, more grade alteration, etc. Rose is a nice guy, but him and Reggie are slimeballs and I think Derrick is because he doesn't know any better. Obviously an English grade/Speech grade had to be altered because this guy gives the worst interviews ever.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 28, 2009 -> 10:21 PM) Horrible analogy... Not really. Breaking a law or rule is breaking a law or rule. I don't understand why someone would go to such far lengths for someone who was always about the money. We're talking about a guy who had his transcripts altered, had a pre-arranged deal with Adidas before he even entered college, took more than just a scholarship from Coach Cal, was dipping into someone else's girlfriend and got beat down for it, and cheated his way through an SAT in the worst way possible, have someone else take it.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ May 28, 2009 -> 04:15 PM) I think Lebron's fate will go with his team's success, if the Cavs dont win a championship this year or next I think he will bolt. My bet would be on the Knicks/Nets though with Chicago 3rd. I agree. Chicago will be a distant 3rd. LeBron has always loved the limelight New York would provide him. I think it's his favorite city in the world actually. The reason the Nets are in there is because his best friend is Jay-Z and if they actually do finalize a deal to move to Brooklyn, it would be a tough choice for LeBron.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 28, 2009 -> 03:19 PM) Nope, the money to be given has been there wayy before Reggie and Derrick Rose came along. And if it did or didn't, that in no way absolves Derrick Rose for breaking it. People rob banks all the time. Just because someone does it before someone else, doesn't make the 2nd person any less guilty.

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 28, 2009 -> 02:36 PM) How do you drive up the price with a salary cap? You could go over the limit with a sign and trade. If LeBron says he absolutely will not play for Cleveland anymore and that they might as well get something for him, he just created more money for himself.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 28, 2009 -> 02:52 PM) If money isn't offered, there's no money to be taken... Or in the case of Derrick and Reggie Rose. If there is no money asked, there is no money to be given.

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 28, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) You know something we all don't know, or is this just assumption? Logic tells me that with open salary space the Bulls have: 1. #3 Market 2. Derrick Rose 3. Good role players It will be between CLE, NY and Chicago. Book it. Bulls are going hard after Wade, Bosh, and Amare. Bulls brass feels LeBron is a longshot. They will try to get him if they think he actually wants to come here and not just drive up the price, but they don't want to waste their time courting him when they could be using that valuable time courting Wade, Bosh, and Amare.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 28, 2009 -> 02:02 PM) I think you are missing the point. I dont agree with age restrictions past the age of 18. I dont agree with them on Senators, I dont agree with them on basketball players, I dont agree with them on any job. If an employer is willing to hire you, you should be able to get the job. The problem with the NBA, and why its different than your examples, is that some NBA employers would hire players at the age of 18. They just have colluded to make it so that they can unfairly limit the market. In a word no. The ADA requires "accommodation" at the work place. I remember the Casey Martin, the argument was based on "accommodation" that Casey Martin was just as good of a golfer, but due to disability could not walk (which is not part of the game). This is far different than an person who is not qualified to be a player, getting special treatment. An example of a similar accommodation would be: An NBA player has a strange condition that he has to wear pants when he plays. The NBA rules state all players must have similar uniforms. It is likely that a court would say that player is allowed to wear pants and play in the NBA, because it has no impact on the game. I guess at the end of the day I dont think the NBA has a legitimate argument for why it should be allowed to discriminate by age. I think that the NFL has a much better one, and as such while I disagree with the NFL rule, I understand that it is most likely for the best interest of the player. I'm going to ignore the 18 year old argument because that's something completely different. I'll say this though. You say it didn't help Rose's game at all not to have to worry about an SAT or school for that matter. I disagree. Worrying about school work means less time to spend in the gym, less time in the weight room, and less time studying a playbook which is something you shouldn't underestimate a freshman PG. So yes, it did not only benefit Rose off the court, but on as well.

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 28, 2009 -> 12:33 PM) I'm an old school type of fan who can appreciate a once in a generation player at an early age. That help has disappeared against Orlando. That help can't even send Dwight to the foul line. That help is good help during non pressure situations, but they are all showing their true colors now. The greedy bulls fan in me wants the Cleveland ship to sink . I'm convinced the Bulls will be a major player for Lebron. The supporting cast in Chicago thrives on Pressure. Pretty much. We play up (or down) to our competition. When you have a guy like LeBron, you could get away with playing flat against a cheap team during the season because a guy like LeBron could kick it into 5th gear in the 4th and win you a game. In the playoffs when you are playing the top competition, everyone on the Bulls suddenly player better and with a guy like LeBron, he could be a major helper. No one can convince me Mo Williams is a better 2nd option than Ben Gordon. In fact, I'd take almost every rotation player on the Bulls over anyone on Cleveland. With that said, LeBron ain't coming here.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ May 28, 2009 -> 12:02 PM) No one is saying he has to. He could go work at McDonald's if he wanted to. If he wanted to play basketball in the states he could play in the USBL, ABA, CBA etc... He has options. Playing basketball in the NBA is a privilege, not a right. Bingo. He had other options. Fact is he wanted to do it his way and get everything he could. Calipari did everything to give him what he wanted to win. Fact is, if one is guilty in this case, both are. If you don't think Rose is guilty, then why the hell is Cal guilty? I understand if your views are that players in NCAA make a billion dollars for them, so why aren't they allowed to receive anything back? Well he received kick back from Coach Cal. So let's not blame the taker, only the giver and let's go take stakes to him. SMH.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 28, 2009 -> 11:18 AM) The logic for absolving Rose is that Rose should have never had to go to the NCAA in the first place. If Rose could have entered the NBA draft there wouldnt be so much pressure on him to get a good SAT score, so that he can then quit college to go to the draft. I doubt it was about going to Memphis, my guess is that if his SAT score was so low that he couldnt get into Mephis, he could not have gotten into any Division I program. If he cheated the system, it was so that he could go on to play in the NBA. Cal cheated the system so he could get a competitive edge. Some one taking the SAT for Rose didnt make him a better basketball player. He could've gone to Europe and made money. Fact is, both guys cheated the system to get what they wanted, period. If this was Beasley we were talking about, there would be so many guys saying, "Oh, I'm glad we didn't draft him. What a knucklehead, etc." The only difference between Rose and Beasley is that Rose is quiet and Beasley is cocky.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 28, 2009 -> 10:59 AM) The logic for absolving the athlete for certain transgressions is pretty simple; these guys make millions for the schools and for the coaches, if the kids who actually are playing get a little extra back, no one really feels that bad. Okay, so let's blame the coaches and give them crap for "rightfully" giving back to the kids? It's a two way street. If Cal is dirty for giving Rose money, Rose is dirty for taking it. If Cal gave a way out for Rose to qualify on his SAT's, Rose is dirty for taking it. Either you believe Rose and Cal are guilty, or they are not because they made the university and NCAA a lot of money. There's no seperating them as much as people want to because Rose is a humble kid.

It was Rose. He was the only other player who started their career at Memphis in 07-08 besides Mr. Robinson. The name blurred out is much shorter than Robinson. It's also in the Sun-Times. I still don't believe how people will absolve Derrick for this but give Coach Cal all the flack for it. Rose went to Memphis because of the money from Addidas and from the boosters there. Coach Cal made it an easy process for him. It's a two way street and they were extremely happy to meet each other on the same street courtesy of Reggie Rose.