Meyers Leonard Controversy

[Dave Gray]

Bench warmer for the HEAT making some big money (not that it should matter) said the "K" word, inflammatory towards Jews on a video game live-stream.  He's taking a bunch of heat for it, been suspended, fined, etc.

The HEAT have taken it very seriously and released a bunch of statements.  Both the HEAT and Leonard are taking crap online, depending on the comment.  Some things it's no big deal and the HEAT are making it a problem.  Others are saying Leonard should be gone (but a lot of that is because he's paid a lot and not very good, so it's hard to tell.)


I don't really have strong opinions about this, other than to say that I believe in redemption.  Leonard needs consequences for his actions, but he never defended himself.  I think it's best for everyone to give people a chance to learn, atone, and grow, rather than to just be tossed away.

[ArtieChokePhin]

It was something he said in the heat of the moment during a war type game, but regardless, the words came out of his mouth and cannot be taken back.  There's nothing to defend and that's why he hasn't said a word about it.  He's just turtling up until this whole shitstorm blows over.  Sometimes that's the best thing to do. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

What's morbidly funny is that during one of the press releases about what he said, they edited out the word "bitch" but not the Jewish slur.

[Fau Teixeira]

He's out for the season due to injury and then surgery. So he's just sitting around at home, live streaming call of duty on twitch and getting into arguments with teenagers. It's only a matter of time until he said something stupid. You can't roll around in the mud without getting dirty.

Having played online games, I can tell you there is no more vile place than a game where you're being trash talked by teenagers. You cannot stoop to their level. He got busted for it, got fined 50K by the NBA, the Heat told him to stay away from the team for the foreseeable future and there's not a chance in hell they pick up his 12 million dollar team option next year. (not that there was a chance of that anyways)

[EDGECRUSHER]

He's out for the season due to injury and then surgery. So he's just sitting around at home, live streaming call of duty on twitch and getting into arguments with teenagers. It's only a matter of time until he said something stupid. You can't roll around in the mud without getting dirty.

Having played online games, I can tell you there is no more vile place than a game where you're being trash talked by teenagers. You cannot stoop to their level. He got busted for it, got fined 50K by the NBA, the Heat told him to stay away from the team for the foreseeable future and there's not a chance in hell they pick up his 12 million dollar team option next year. (not that there was a chance of that anyways)

Even Thor from Avengers Endgame was yelling at kids while playing Call of Duty. As a teenager, it's where you grow thicker skin. As an adult, it's where you become immature. No one famous should livestream any type of game.

[Dave Gray]

I think there's a difference in how you use words, too.

If my conversations were recorded, I'm sure I'd be screwed, because I say some awful, offensive shit, but it's in context.  I have talked race with my non-white friends who I love like family and have known for 30 years in a way that wouldn't convey if you just heard it.

That's different than if I called someone a "spic" out of anger, which I am just incapable of doing.  For any racist words, my brain doesn't go there as an insult.  Growing up in a pop culture environment, you might adopt a "nigga please" here or there, but I would never let slip the N word as an insult to a black person.  They are worlds apart.

With Leonard, he said that he didn't know what the word meant, which I actually believe.  I had that conversation not that long ago with a Spanish friend of mine.  He'd never heard it.  It's a particularly bad one, to me, because there is no fun or playful usage of that word, like sometimes exists with other slurs.

Even with words like "bitch".  My wife could do something silly and I could say "this bitch is out of control" and we'd all laugh about it.  But if I called her a bitch in a fight, that would be bad for me, and it's just not how I work.

[ArtieChokePhin]

He got busted for it, got fined 50K by the NBA, the Heat told him to stay away from the team for the foreseeable future and there's not a chance in hell they pick up his 12 million dollar team option next year. (not that there was a chance of that anyways)

I agree.  There's no way he's in a Heat uniform again.  Not with the large Jewish population in this town.  Teams like the Knicks, Sixers, and Bulls will stay away from him too

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think there's a difference in how you use words, too.

If my conversations were recorded, I'm sure I'd be screwed, because I say some awful, offensive shit, but it's in context.  I have talked race with my non-white friends who I love like family and have known for 30 years in a way that wouldn't convey if you just heard it.

That's different than if I called someone a "spic" out of anger, which I am just incapable of doing.  For any racist words, my brain doesn't go there as an insult.  Growing up in a pop culture environment, you might adopt a "nigga please" here or there, but I would never let slip the N word as an insult to a black person.  They are worlds apart.

With Leonard, he said that he didn't know what the word meant, which I actually believe.  I had that conversation not that long ago with a Spanish friend of mine.  He'd never heard it.  It's a particularly bad one, to me, because there is no fun or playful usage of that word, like sometimes exists with other slurs.

Even with words like "bitch".  My wife could do something silly and I could say "this bitch is out of control" and we'd all laugh about it.  But if I called her a bitch in a fight, that would be bad for me, and it's just not how I work.

100% agreed. If you just take someone's words and put them in word format without any context, 99% of us would be canceled. I just think that unless he knew the person he insulted, there is no way you can casually call someone a kike. For that, he will be in trouble.

[Dave Gray]

I agree.  There's no way he's in a Heat uniform again.  Not with the large Jewish population in this town.  Teams like the Knicks, Sixers, and Bulls will stay away from him too

I don't think that's it.  I think he's just not worth the money, so you cut ties anyway.

A stupid slip is healable, if he accepts and atones, which he appears to be doing.

[ArtieChokePhin]

I don't think that's it.  I think he's just not worth the money, so you cut ties anyway.

A stupid slip is healable, if he accepts and atones, which he appears to be doing.

The crazy thing is, 10 years ago, this stupid slip (and I agree it was a stupid slip) wouldn't have even made news headlines