The Misunderstood Britteny Griner

I don't think the weak suspension is endemic to the women's game, I think it's endemic to society, writ large. It's the lack of sure, swift and significant punishment for transgressions. As a society we've become so willing to accept a press release as an apology, issue some pro forma punishment and then move on, that we've lost what it means to accept responsibilty. Those repsonsible for transgressions simply suffer little penalty. Those attempting to continue to hold Griner repsonible for breaking the bones in another girl's body are told to piss off, Brittney is a young girl and has moved on, so should you. Personally, I beleive this started with Ronald Reagan. He took responsibilty for Iran-Contra, without punishment or consquences.

To see how it should work, check out Olympic Hockey. No fights. no game misconducts, just a clean almost elegant sport. Why? Screw up and you're out. If you are banned from the next game, that could mean the rest of the season/tournement. Imagine the penalty for charging out of the batters box towards the pitcher for a high and tight pitch would be a 25 game suspension.

Punishment need not be cruel but it should be enough to make the next person think twice or three times before punching another player in the nose. Missing 2 inconsequential games for Griner not only is weak for her brutal and thoughtless act but it's not enough to make the next person stop and think before acting similarly.


BTW in Crouse's story how many times was the victim mentioned? Her present condition? How many games she missed?

 

I am not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America! Gentleman!

 

What sort of punishments were handed out for college men who did likewise?

 

Honestly - I can't remember the last time a male player hauled off an sucker punched someone in the face and broke a nose and all that.

 

The only thing I can think of is LeGarrette Blount for Oregon, punching the player from Boise at the beginning of the college football season last year. He received 10 games suspension for the incident. Granted, beyond throwing the punch, he generally went crazy making things worse for himself.

 

This is a story about the phenomenon of Britteny Griner, which includes the fact that she punched another player in the face. It is not a story about the fact that she punched another player in the face, how that happened, etc.

 

Ten games was about right for both incidents......

 

Blount was after the game, following a verbal insult from another player. Also, football.

We need basketball; heat of the moment (after opponent tried takedown); first offense.

 

10 games in a 12 game season > 10 games in a 40 game season

 

The default defensive tactic against a towering center in women's basketball is to send a 240-pound behemoth (or more than one) at them and beat the living shit out of them all game long. Refs invariably take the attitude that it's totally unfair that the big center is 6-6 or 6-8 or 6-9, so they allow it.

If once in a while the behemoth catches a mouthful of knuckles or an elbow in the chops, that's life in the big city.

 

Brittney Griner frightens me. Ever heard her talk?

 

I understand the sentiment but a flagrant elbow is much different than hauling off and punching someone in the face.