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Randy is the
author of three novels, including his latest, The Devil Inside, The
Suspense Thriller.
More about Randy.
His publishing company is looking for short stories for Men in
Jocks: Stories of Athletes and Sports Nuts.
Details here.
International
Flava, Anyone?
By Randy Boyd
What if Yao or another non-black pro baller spoke to the press about Shaq (or Allen Iverson!) using ghetto ebonics? What if the Utah Jazz handed out soul food for a visit by … well, any team in the league? We can’t have it both ways, fellas; can’t bitch and moan and force resignations for those dissing the bruthas and sistas, then come back and throw shade at other humans of other diverse origins and expect nothing but laughs and giggles. Respect! In that
spirit, let’s go international. Because the NBA no longer lives by
Yankees alone, here now, a look at the top five non-Americans in the
league, in the looks departments, of course (what else did you expect,
talent?):
5) Tony Parker, San Antonio. No, it’s not a cheat because the light-skinned brutha was born in Belgium. His energy is infectious. His face college-boyish. Best thing to look at in a Spurs uni in a long, long time. 4) Pau Gasol, Memphis. Last season’s rookie of the year, the seven foot Spaniard has a face that could stop running bulls. And enough talent to average 17 points and nearly 9 boards. 3) Andrei Kirilenko, Utah. The second year forward from Russia is still finding his game and coming along nicely. Nice shot blocker. At 6’9, 225, we just ask for a little more meat. 2) Bostjan Nachbar, Houston: Sure, Yao gets all the press, and playing time, for that matter, but the real star of the team, and the bench, is this 22 year-old Slovenia-born stud. Come on, Rudy T, more PT for Bostie. 1) Marko Jaric, LA Clippers. In another life, this 24 year-old from Yugoslavia could have been a rock star. Or a stud in the WWF. Or a mountain man. Looks. Looks. Looks. Even the 198 pounds on his 6’7” frame doesn’t seem all that skinny. Maybe it’s the all that rich black hair on his head or the Coors-commercial ready face. Come LA, make this boy a star. Randy's Outsports archive Jan. 17, 2003 |
What do
Shaquille O’Neal, Trent Lott and the Miami Heat organization all have
in common? Insensitivity to other ethnicities and nationalities. Shaq
has repeatedly mocked Houston Rocket Yao Ming by using an “Asian”
accent and saying things like “ching-chong-yang-wah-ah-soh.” The Miami
Heat handed out fortune cookies for the super-tall Chinese star’s
visit. And Trent Lott … well, let’s just say he’s got a Lott to
explain. 
