Photo by trix0r from Flickr
As fans of the NBA, we observe players from the outside looking in, using a myopic fish-eye lens. We belittle individuals that we don’t know, using their style of play, spoken words, or rumored actions to justify our own insecurities. The ugly truth (in most cases) is that the public is envious of those select individuals with fame and fortune, and subconsciously hopes they will fail. Doing so strokes peoples’ egos and provides them with the satisfaction of knowing that their idols’ lives aren’t as perfect as once perceived.
To build up the NBA players (and other rich, famous individuals under public scrutiny) before they are viciously torn down, the public labels them as role models. The NBA falls under this umbrella of aggrandizing, as David Stern & Co. use 30-second ‘NBA Cares’ commercials (among other outlets) to constantly perpetuate the notion that their players are Utopian citizens.
This leads to a paradox of sorts, as some players, such as Derek Fisher or Shane Battier, deserve to be treated like exemplary individuals on paper, while others, such as Michael Beasley and Josh Howard, are clearly unworthy of such distinction. That’s not to say Beasley or Howard are immoral for their chronic use of marijuana (no pun intended), but it’s clear they’re not the people you want your children to imitate (unless, of course, you want your kids to be into that sort of thing).
If the players fulfill the public’s expectations, all is well, and they’re viewed as heroes; if the public’s expectations are unmet, the players suddenly become corrupt individuals incapable of handling the spotlight. This is a vicious circle that leads to displeasure on both parts; fans are constantly let down by the players they look up to, and players are crucified for anything they do that isn’t politically correct.
The problem stems from the fact that NBA players are put on pedestals that they shouldn’t be on in the first place. They aren’t doctors, firemen, policemen, teachers (or any other upstanding job) that serve the public and are properly trained to handle the responsibility of being a public role model (and even individuals in those professions have their own notable flaws and drawbacks). They are people trained to play basketball (and are very good at it). They get PR training as rookies and are basically forced to do charity work, but most players weren’t raised to become model citizens; it’s unnatural to them. Therefore, expectations should be lowered, not raised, unless of course a player continues to disappoint, with a particular trend. Unfortunately, Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum falls into this category.
That’s why it doesn’t surprise me when I read this:
LA Lakers center Andrew Bynum has allegedly been caught on camera parking his black BMW in not one, but two parking spots reserved for the handicapped.
The photos, provided exclusively to NBC4, were taken by an LA Parking Enforcement official at the upscale Bristol Farms Market in Playa del Rey.
NBC4 questioned Andrew Bynum, 23, about the alleged incident as he was getting into his car recently.
He slammed his car door and drove off without comment.
It appears the 7-foot-tall Laker, who makes $14 million a year, was breaking the law if he was parking in those spots. Violators who are ticketed are subject to a $353 fine.
Under the California Vehicle Code, drivers must display a disabled placard or disabled license plate to park in spaces designated for the disabled.
Bynum has not been issued either by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, NBC4 confirmed.
via NBC Los Angeles - Lakers Star Allegedly Caught Parking in Disabled Spaces
At first glance, one may conclude Andrew Bynum is the antithesis of a role model. And in fact that judgment is likely spot on. I mean, honestly, it’s not the biggest mishap in the entire world, but who has the indecency to park in not only one handicap spot, but two, without a placard? It’s just morally wrong. And after reading an L.A. Times piece from May (hat tip to Land O’ Lakers), we now know this is at least his second offense.
Through my accumulated knowledge of Bynum from around 2005 (when he was drafted by the Lakers), all accounts appear to claim that he’s a selfish, immature individual that feels a sense of entitlement, even more so than the average NBA player.  Now, I clearly don’t know him personally, meaning my analysis from afar could be completely inaccurate (supposedly he’s a very smart player who breaks down the game to a science). But as cliché as it sounds, where there’s smoke there’s fire, and there’s been a lot of smoke around Bynum recently (not in a Cheech and Chong kind of way).
Whether it’s committing several flagrant fouls with potential career-threatening ramifications, or publicly calling out his team’s brotherhood, Bynum is continuously defying authority. But not in a 1960s “the government sucks, let’s have sex and do drugs” type of way; it’s an “I don’t give a crap about anyone else” type of way.
This isn’t a personal attack on Bynum. I’m not condoning him and I’m not condemning him. Over the past few seasons, he’s been arguably my favorite player to watch on the Lakers, and I believe if healthy, he’s the league’s second best center behind Dwight Howard. So don’t take this the wrong way. I don’t think he’s a terrible person, I just think he makes questionable decisions on and off the court.
Bynum, like Beasley and Howard, is just one case of a player slowly disintegrating under the public’s eye. And if history is any indication, more players will fall susceptible to the same dangers. But who knows, maybe the players themselves aren’t to blame. Maybe it’s a lack of education, maybe it’s the environment the players were brought up in, or maybe people in general will continually mess up if you observe them close enough. Either way, some outside factor is to blame, even if we can’t place our finger on it.
Until fans and the media lower their expectations of players’ (and other entertainers) life choices, they’ll continually be disappointed. Now, don’t confuse this with me condoning the phrase “aim low” for your own personal life expectations; I’m not a pessimist. All I’m saying is don’t be so hard on athletes, they’re only human. Hold a microscope over anyone and you will find faults and blunders, you just need to look hard enough, which is what this new age of social media provides.
Certain athletes, like Bynum, give you a clear reason to doubt their virtuousness. For others, you’ll have to dig a little deeper. Either way, players will be judged for their course of action. Whether that’s right or wrong is irrelevant, it’s just how life is. I’m not adverse to judgment, as everyone has the right to their own opinion. All I’m saying is take basketball for what it is, a game. Players shouldn’t be held up to heroic standards, as they’ll continuously fail.
