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Friday, September 5, 2008

Report: Stern singles out KU duo

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— NBA commissioner David Stern mentioned former Kansas University basketball players Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers by name in his introductory speech to 67 players at the NBA Rookie Transition Program on Wednesday morning, ESPN reports.

It was not to congratulate the pair on leading the Jayhawks to the 2008 NCAA title.

According to ESPN, Stern told the 67 rookies he'd booted the two Jayhawks from the orientation program for allegedly having marijuana and women in their Doral Arrowwood Resort room Tuesday night.

Stern indicated Chalmers of the Miami Heat and Arthur of the Memphis Grizzlies would be forced to attend the program next September.

Arthur and Chalmers have reportedly been fined $20,000 and could start the regular season on the suspended list.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel cited Article VI, Section 4(b) of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, explaining the rules regarding penalizing Arthur and Chalmers. It says: "When a player, without proper and reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to attend 'mandatory program,' he shall be fined $20,000 by the NBA."

That clause also contains the wording "that if the player misses the Rookie Transition Program, he shall be suspended for five games."

"That language was put in for a case in which a guy wants to skip it ... Nothing is definitive until the commissioner makes a decision," NBA vice president Tim Frank told the Sun-Sentinel.

ESPN.com reported more on the incident Thursday, indicating a fire alarm at 2 a.m. Wednesday sent hotel management to the room of Arthur.

ESPN's report said when management was denied entry, hotel security entered the room with a pass key, where at least two women and a strong stench of marijuana were present. With the bathroom door locked at the time, repeated flushing could be heard, with police later arriving and finding no marijuana or paraphernalia.

In happier news involving the Miami Heat, team president Pat Riley tonight will be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Though extremely successful in coaching the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat, Riley in his 24 years as a head coach has been described as egotistical and difficult.

"People think I'm aloof or I'm arrogant, and I have a sense of that," Riley reflects of the refined persona that hardly tells the story of the kid from hardscrabble Schenectady, N.Y., who put in the type of hours these past three decades that belie the flawless facade.

"The fresh white shirt, tie, Armani suits, the image, the hair," the Heat president says, "that was the mantra, 'Look fresh as a daisy,' even though there were times after losses I felt like I wanted to die."

Tonight, that perfectly pressed package will be inducted into his sport's ultimate cathedral.

"He kind of changed the game of coaching, with his smoothness, especially when he was younger, with all his Armani suits," Miami's Dwyane Wade says. "He made it cool to be a coach."

Riley also is known for his hard work.

"No one's put in as much time as he has," says Heat assistant coach Keith Askins, who played under Riley as well as served on his coaching staff. "He was prepared every day, every time he walked on that court."

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Comments

shabbasuraj (anonymous) says...

Fire alarm?, locked door?, reported flushing...??? mary-ju-wana?????? nba grouppies? awesome..looks like a typical NBA mandatory program to me...Move along people nothing to see here.. just everyday pro athlete activities.

September 5, 2008 at 4:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawk23 (anonymous) says...

Question: How many of those other rookies were smirking and grinning when Stern mentioned Shady, Mario, the weed and the girls?Answer: All of them.

September 5, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

plotku (anonymous) says...

The thing I take away from this is: The pot heads think it's no big deal, but the bottom line is there were rules in place. . . simple rules at that. That these 2 athletes failed to adhere to. I think this rookie training meeting is like a week long, yet they didn't have the ability to go one week without getting high. It's ridiculous.

September 5, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

swonder44 (anonymous) says...

Does anyone remember the Portland Blazin' Blazers of years back who were driving home from Seattle after a game? Where was the rage around that from Stern? Disappointed yes, and maybe there was a suspension for a game or so, but I don't remember it getting quite this level of attention. What would you rather have... stoned athletes driving, or ones in a hotel room (with women - gee, see every NBA team hotel when on the road)? Yeah I'm disappointed they couldn't hold it until they were out of this "camp", but this is getting overblown by Mr. Stern.

September 5, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FSUJHAWK (anonymous) says...

I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone from Memphis or Carolina who pulled the fire alarm.But yes, this was a stupid mistake and professionally it shows judgment and execution shortcomings. Hopefully our boys will learn from this.

September 5, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mcrozb (anonymous) says...

In most places possession of 1 oz. or less of marijuana is a municipal misdemeanor, just like a minor speeding ticket. Alcohol consumption can lead to domestic disturbance, violence, drunk driving, and death. Prohibition was repealed because everyone kept drinking, regardless of the consequences. We are in a marijuana prohibition which is just as unsuccessful. If Marijuana or alcohol has to be illegal, they got the wrong one if you consider the impact to society. either way it's too much government ruling peoples lives, the Libertarian Party wants to restore individual liberty and get the government out of peoples private lives, so they smoked a joint with some girls, OMG, compared with all the seriously illegal activities committed by pro athletes, like Ray Lewis getting away with murder, give our two Jayhawks a break, there are more important things to worry about.

September 5, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Some may think this is a biased opinion, but I really haven't ever liked David Stern. He seems very unprofessional (re: use of sarcasm when dodging questions after blowing, in my opinion, the Phoenix/SA series in 2007) and just kind of a jerk.This has nothing to do with whether or not Arthur and Chalmers were in the wrong, but it's simply my opinion of David Stern.

September 5, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

ESPN and Fox Sports are having a field day with this. Way to go.

September 5, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

David Stern is not doubt making an example out of Chalmers and Arthur, especially since they were caught doing the very things the rookie camp is designed to help them avoid. My guess is they will learn from their embarrassing and costly mistake.

September 5, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

Some people say any publicity is good publicity for KU and the outlaw dwo of Mario and Darrell. We are making too much of the weed thing and not enough of the lack of maturity of the outlaw duo.KU produces great basketball players. No one ever says that they are social mature. Small town college and big city NBA are not the same thing. These boys will grow with this and just hope that Stern does not keep them in the dog house. They should be contrite or risk being enrolled in the NBA Drug program. Stern is all powerful in the NBA and they crossed the wrok honcho by ignoring rules.Does not say much about HCBS discipline program and teaching maturity. Not HCBS problem when they are gone though.It is probably a good thing for the recruiting program as you have tobe good to get busted for immature things before youir NBA career has started but after they showed you the money!

September 5, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mbmerriman (anonymous) says...

my friend at KSU told me Beasley is a big time pothead, im suprised he didnt get some sort of discinaplinary action towards him

September 5, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

Let this be a lesson to Arthur and Chalmers. Let this be a lesson to all the blind defenders of our athletes. Let this be a lesson to ALL athletes: the rules are the rules whether you like them or not!Im grieved.

September 5, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jerhawk (anonymous) says...

those are the rules- i wish chalmers and arthur success in the 08-09 season- it was a mistake and its being dealt with. rock chalk

September 5, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

I once (or more?) had girls in my hotel room and nobody wrote a news article about it.I feel so cheated...

September 5, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

Aren't they subject to drug testing in the NBA? A simple test will say yay or nay and who all partaked (Beasely as well?)Isn't there a drug testing program for NCAA athletes?

September 5, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

oceanvger55 (anonymous) says...

Ok, tell them its time to stop partying and get back to work....no pot, it just makes missueys jealous again. wow ive never had the pleasure of out of control partying and women...Im jealous

September 5, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

JayCeph - childhood family vacations with your sisters and mom don't count ;)

September 5, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FortWorthJayhawk (anonymous) says...

plotku,Just because some of us think it isn't a big deal doesn't make us "potheads". Just like your anger at the situation doesn't make you a stodgy old prude. I'll thank you not to pigeonhole me in the future for having a different view of the situation than you.In regards to the article: I'm curious why more attention isn't being put on Beasley for this incident. It's as if the NBA doesn't want to draw publicity towards a young star but doesn't mind hanging our guys out to dry.Anyways, bad choices. A mistake they'll learn from. It's part of being young.

September 5, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

txrock~NOW you tell me! All these rules are so confusing and without definitive parameters to define these caveats (as you have so adroitly pointed out), I can see why Mario and DA took a miss-step (was that her name? Miss Step or... Mary Jane?).

September 5, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

They both should be cut. Maybe that would send a message and start cleaning up the NBA. Stern's program already isn't working since we have DUI's, drug incidents, and shootings every season. Starting now I will start counting each punk NBA incident that happens this year, and I will be busy. Isn't it ironic that we complained so much about that punk JR Giddens getting picked over Chalmers? I bet he felt like he had the last laugh when Stern made his speech.

September 5, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cobweb (anonymous) says...

Professional scouts spend a lot of time on character issues these days. I would not be surprised if they uncovered information on campus that these guys were potheads. Seems strange that they would mysteriously fall in the draft as they did. Just a thought. I might be wrong.

September 5, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

They won't be cut (at least not for this). It is a business afterall and talent is talent. Fine, suspension maybe.

September 5, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

trueblue9 (anonymous) says...

Does anyone have evidence that Beasley was in the room, or is that all spectulation? Theres a time and a place for groupies and drugs, thats all that needs to be learned here.

September 5, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

cobweb,I know it is just a thought but I seriously seriously dont see that being the case... There have been guys from oversees that have played in the NBA... The drug laws in Europe are not nearly as strict as they are here in the states... Some European countries drug laws are completely non-existent... Even Canada is pretty chill about it... Are Steve Nash and Dirk Nowizki potheads??? I dont know... But talent is talent and the boys certainly didnt fall in the draft because they were "potheads"... Arthur fell because of a phantom kidney problem and Mario fell because teams didnt know where exactly he would be able to play

September 5, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

I have never smoked a joint in my life, yet I am apparently one of these "potheads" who don't really care if Mario and Darrell smoked (or smoke) pot. What bothers me is that they had two simple rules (no visitors, no drugs) to follow for a couple of days to stay in the good graces of the NBA Commish and they failed to follow those.I doubt that Mario and DA "didn't have the ability to go one week without getting high," but rather their immaturity and egos made them think that they could break the rules and get away with it.I am disappointed in them, and as a fan, embarrassed for them. However, I will still root for them this season, and hope they both get their acts together -- on and off the court.

September 5, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

According to ESPN, DA apologized and said he didn't smoke weed. It seems that these women and whoever they were with came to his room and he let them in - big mistake.

September 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

shabbasuraj (anonymous) says...

Rumor has it, the women were UNC co-eds.allegedly.......

September 6, 2008 at 2:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk81 (anonymous) says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

September 6, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( | )

cobweb (anonymous) says...

Blame it on the women. What a couple of stand up guys! How did their bud "Sleepy Eyes" Beasley escape?

September 8, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

It must have been hard for Darnell to see Stern say that about his guys, especially when he was on the verge of signing his contract. It should have been a happy time for the three of them.

September 8, 2008 at 6 p.m. ( | suggest removal )