Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
I first learned the meaning of WWJD while covering the NBA in the late 90s. A few players sported this acronym on bracelets. I found it somewhat humorous that such a thing would provide spiritual guidance while someone was preparing for, say, a really important foul shot, but that's beside the point. Who am I to judge how and when God helps others?
However, I'm coining a new acronym and, by golly, it's judgmental.
Today I provide for your viewing pleasure some PAALI.
No, PAALI isn't a Middle Eastern delicacy or a new social program by Michelle Obama to combat bullying. It stands for Professional Athletes Acting Like Idiots, and the acronym is inspired by the 2011 Lakers.
We all know PAALI. We probably see examples during almost every professional sports event. The Laker players are, by no means, the only guilty parties.
I just wonder, does PAALI surprise anyone anymore? Does it matter? Do you think wearing a WWJD headband would prevent PAALI?
As background, the Los Angeles Lakers self-destructed and lost a playoff series they were expected to win. There are some fun/juicy storylines, according to the LA Times:
Perhaps more than anything, the notion that Pau Gasol can be this team's next great leader was swept away. His sudden and odd postseason disappearance was the most obvious reason for the Lakers' troubles ...
"I have to learn from this," Gasol said. ''I have to learn that when something happens off the court, you have to keep it off the court."
He was referring to the report that he stopped talking to [Lakers teammate Kobe] Bryant during the postseason because Bryant's wife, Vanessa, had contributed to the breakup of Gasol and his longtime girlfriend. Lakers fans will remember that Karl Malone once publicly accused Vanessa of interfering with his personal life in a similar fashion.
Whatever was happening, Bryant and Gasol haven't connected on the court in a month, and the Lakers have been lost without the strength of their fusion.
"We just never got a rhythm, ever," said [Laker Lamar] Odom.
Also swept aside was the idea that Odom can win a championship while being Mr. Hollywood. You say that the "Khloe & Lamar" show didn't hurt his postseason? I say he had 10 points and two rebounds Sunday while being ordered off the court after a cheap fourth-quarter shoving knockdown ofDirk Nowitzki.
"I was embarrassed," said Odom. "It was a humbling experience, I'll tell you that."
In the end, nobody should have been more embarrassed than Andrew Bynum, who threw a dangerous right elbow into a flying Jose Barea moments after Odom's cheap shot, knocking the little guard to the ground and resulting in another ejection. Bynum further shamed himself and the franchise by tearing off his jersey before he left the court ...
Below are video excerpts from the game showing Odom's cheap shot and Bynum's nasty "clothesline" move:
According to this story, neither player was particularly apologetic after the game. I can't say I'm surprised. You?
- Comment (12)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
Comments :
May '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
Going out with guns blazing. I mean, there are no consequences, really. And it is the NBA, or as Rush would say, the National Thug Basketball League. They were just keepin it real. Possibly representing.
Somebody compared this to one of the Packers bodyslamming Jim McMahon several seconds after the ball was thrown. Can't remember what the circumstances were, but after his ejection, his teammates were high-fiveing him on the sidelines.
Dec '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
The only pro sports team I follow has developed a longterm approach that may eliminate all or most of this nonsense, on and off the field. The Jaguars are building, almost solely, through the draft and they just won't draft a player of questionable character. Most of their picks this year were team captains in college.
Some fans complain that they are gonna become soft without having the "edgy" types on the squad, but those fans have never faced the terrors that are Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton, or Tyson Alualu. They are extremely tough on the field, but unlikely to appear in any other parts of the newspaper than the Sports section, unless it's in a highlight of some community service effort of theirs. I could name many other examples; the point is we will all be able to see how this works out for them as the rebuilt Jaguars mature. Maybe there is hope.
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
CJRun: The only pro sports team I follow has developed a longterm approach that may eliminate all or most of this nonsense, on and off the field. The Jaguars are building, almost solely, through the draft and they just won't draft a player of questionable character. Most of their picks this year were team captains in college.
Some fans complain that they are gonna become soft without having the "edgy" types on the squad, but those fans have never faced the terrors that are Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton, or Tyson Alualu. They are extremely tough on the field, but unlikely to appear in any other parts of the newspaper than the Sports section, unless it's in a highlight of some community service effort of theirs. I could name many other examples; the point is we will all be able to see how this works out for them as the rebuilt Jaguars mature. Maybe there is hope. · May 9 at 2:09pm
Fascinating. I did not know about this. Thanks so much for pointing it out, CJ. I'll be sure to follow the Jaguars a little more closely!
Jun '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
I think you should sign Rashard Mendenhall up as a founding member of PAALI (and cancel his tweeting account).
Also, on the Dan Patrick Show today, Jerry West, one of the iconic Lakers (and their former General Manager) said the Laker's performance was truly embarrassing.
Edited on May 9, 2011 at 4:27pmMay '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
Back when WWJD was really cresting among teenagers, the thought occured to me for a line of underwear for teenagers with WWJD embroidered on it.
Missed the wave.
Apr '11
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
The Mavericks have certainly had their share of PAALI moments in the past - and they have a good candidate for PAALI chairman in Cuban! - but you have to give them credit (sorry, I mean "mad props") for keeping their cool here. Sure, it's easier to keep your cool when you're up 30 and about to sweep the defending NBA champions, but when the hormones are boiling on the court, rationality doesn't always win out. Good for the Mavs.
May '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
I don't read the sports pages anymore. Anytime I want to know what's going on in pro sports, I just check the police blotter.
Mar '11
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
I remember this incident; it was 1986 and the Packer in question was Charles Martin. The hit came at least 1.5 seconds after the ball was released; McMahon's guard was down and he was watching his throw get intercepted when Martin grabbed him from behind and threw him down sideways onto his right shoulder, which was recovering from an injury. The shoulder was re-injured and McMahon was out for the rest of the season. Martin had a hand towel tucked into his pants with a list of Bears numbers on it, his "hit list." Classy guy, now passed.
Oct '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas for Gasol, Bynum and Steve Blake. The salaries work.
Nov '10
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
Fortunately, we have guys like El Hombre.
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
Yup, one of the best. He has a special place in my heart for all he does for Down syndrome charities. A class act, for sure. But also a rarity, unfortunately.
Feb '11
Re: Are You Surprised By PAALI Anymore?
A local sportswriter got it right by lamenting that the team failed to honor the history of the franchise, the fact that the uniform itself stood for something beyond the disappointing individuals on the court. Baseball players are usually more cognizant of the importance of history, of their place in the Game, of the legacy of memories. Hebrews 12:1 talks of being surrounded by a "crowd of witnesses to the life of faith" that compels the author to run with endurance the race set before him. These current Lakers ignored the witness of Hall-of-Famers who made the franchise great. Shame on them.