Today’s National Basketball Association is often referred to in media circles as a league of thugs and bad boys. A few media outlets have even referred to the NBA as the “National Bad Boys Association.”
NBA's Tainted Image
As much as I hate to admit it, being the huge NBA fan that I am, the bad reputation and dark cloud hanging over the players has been well-earned by some. It has bothered me greatly my whole life, knowing that these men are blowing a golden opportunity and taking the privilege of being a professional athlete for granted. Nothing is more frustrating to a die-hard fan like me than squandered potential, because I would give anything to be in their position, getting paid handsomely to do something I love. Unfortunately, the physical limitations brought on by Cerebral Palsy, will not allow me to do so. Although, I always wanted to be the star athlete in every sport I played, I settled for cheering on my teammates, and tried to make the most of my opportunities when I did get to play. Therefore, I live my dream through the players I idolize, following their careers on television and in person, but when they misbehave I can’t help but feel that they are letting me down.
However, I also think that the bad reputation has been unfairly placed on others. Too often media focuses only on the bad-behavior of a few knuckleheads, and ignores the league’s good guys, the ambassadors of good-will, who often run at least one, if not several charitable organizations.
Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets is just one example of an NBA player that does so much charitable work in his community, but more often than not is scrutinized and recognized only for the mistakes he has made.
Anthony has built youth development centers in Denver, as well as his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. He also works with the Family Resource Center of Denver, and puts on charity basketball games in Denver, Baltimore, and Syracuse, New York during the off-season. This only begins to tell the story of Anthony’s charitable endeavors.
Hearing of all the great things that Anthony has done in the community brings me great satisfaction, because so many people are quick to judge him when they hear something negative in the media, but rarely do they know of all the good he has done. For this reason, any arguments that I have with people about Anthony’s character are usually very short and one-sided, because they make an initial claim and then have no further evidence to back it up. I also win these arguments because I got to know Carmelo Anthony on a personal basis and there is no better way to make a character judgment than to meet a person face to face.
Other NBA stars such has Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns, Marcus Camby of the Portland Trailblazers, and Anthony’s teammates Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin do a significant amount of charitable work too.