Mike Freeman

I'm sorry Mike, but that simply isn't true. Most people aren't like you. Its attitudes like this that cause many of the problems in our society. You may want to do some self-reflection on this. I really think you have some problems. You may find that you will be a happier person if you let your racism go.

"But I thought his fist pumping and gyrations were showboating."

What are you talking about? The only "gyration" I can think of was Tyler's stupid run down the court after his game winning shot, which, if you saw it, clearly wasn't planned. And compared to Chad Johnson this is nothing. Its not like he's wearing a coat that announces his future induction into the hall of fame, or pulling a pen out to autograph the ball (or was that T.O.).

Personally I like Chad, but his show boating is pretty much un-matched. Try using someone else to compare.

 The best Van Gundy can do is give his opinon and if you agree with him thats up to you.

I did not equate Ben Wallace hair with his play. I latch on to how he complimented his team style of play.

This is basketball not a fashion show. I think he came to Detroit at the time because of hair...do you?

After watching UNC play this whole seasons the most I have ever seen Tyler celebrate was when he hit a last second jumper in the ACC tournament.

And it was not to taunt anyone. My bad are player not allowed to play with emontion now regaurdless of  race?

Dirk Nowitzki has heart, and grit.  Ginobili does, Gasol does.  You may be right about the perception to an extent.  But I don't think there's a "white bias" in the NBA.  Who is the best player?  I don't think it's any white player, American or European.

Hansbrough will make some NBA team a nice complimentary player.  He will play hard all the time, but he's never going to be a great defensive player by any stretch of the imagination.  He can guard people as long as he's not physically overmatched, which could be a problem for him playing at the 4 position.  But he will be fine on the other end of the court.  Oddly enough, his major plus on the defensive end will be that he knows how to take a charge (similar to Shane Battier).  His detractors criticize him for drawing those charges, but that's a pretty valuable skill.  I don't think any NBA coaches or personnel directors will add or subtract points for him being white, and they know they'll be getting a player who will work on his game and get better over time.

I will agree that keeping emotions in check is better than excessive celebration, especially in team sports.  At the same time, I think some show of emotion is inevitable and acceptable, if the play being celebrated is contributing to the team's success.  I don't recall seeing Hansbrough celebrating to the point of taunting an opponent.  Drawing charges is something they preach at Carolina, because it requires sacrificing the body and it helps the team.  Hansbrough and lots of other UNC players celebrate those charges not to taunt, but simply because it's part of the culture at Carolina.  It's like the Duke players slapping the floor; it's just something they do, not designed to be a taunt.

A taunt is when you score a touchdown in Texas Stadium and then run from the end zone to the star and dance around like an idiot.  That's a celebration of self, and not of team success; it's just calculated to make people mad.

Mike:  I don't think it is a fantasy world.  I mean what I say.  I don't think about race or color until someone shoves it in my face.  I'm sorry that so many people in America focus on the differences in a negative way; I prefer to thank God we aren't all the same.  We'd be a pretty limited and boring group of people.

Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting.  I'll admit the Hansbrough article made me mad, but I never once thought of him as a white player before I read your column.  He was just a Tar Heel, and one of the best who has ever played in Chapel Hill.  Now I'm afraid every time I see him, I'll be thinking, "That's Tyler Hansbrough, and he's white."  I remember quite well the days of Sam Perkins, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, etc.  I'm biased when it comes to UNC, I'll readily admit.  But I honestly never think about what color the players are until someone makes an issue of it.  What difference does it make, unless someone is focused on just that?

I didn't criticize your writing style.  I merely made an assumption that you like to shock people into a response with your assertions.  I respect your right to believe or say or write just about anything; I'm just not convinced that race has to be inserted into sports at every opportunity to keep a dialogue going about it. 

I'm not most people, and I'm not a liar.  Your writing elicited a response from me, and I assume that's what you intended to get when you wrote it.  I just think it's a counter-productive strategy.  I believe a significant majority of the people in America despise racism, or are at least willing to respect diversity and be tolerant.  Making them angry with shocking statements is like pouring salt on an open wound.