Actually, the NBA has a higher arrest rate than the NFL. The NFL security department doesnt release their arrest rates but Tony Dungy has been tracking it for years and its usually 1%. The NBA arrest rate is double that at a little over 2% as reported in a Harvard Law study from a couple years ago. Tirk is dead on with the roster size having more to do with it because the NFL has over 10X the number of players under contract than the NBA so we are likely to hear about it 10X more often than the NBA. Perception is clouding the reality of real arrest rates. On the topic of the NBA being thugs, I dont think the higher arrest rate of the NBA is what defines that. I think the observations made here about the NBA being rooted in Hip-hop have more to do with the perception of it being a thug league. And its really not the players as much as the fans. Just go to an NBA game and look around at the crowd. Its a little different than the crowd you see at an NFL game. Then look at the antics at an NBA all-star game and its primarily the fans doing it. You can even look at the high school level for more insight. My daughter was a cheer leader last year and the crowd for BBall games was VASTLY different from those who attended the football games. I havent been to a college game in a while but it may also have similar traits although I think, in general, college crowds for all sports are a little bit different. I think the bottom line is the NBA gets its thug rap from the followers and fans, not necessarily the players. If fans define a league as being thugish then the NBA is richly deserving of that tag. If its the players that define a league then the NBA is no different than the NFL. Unfortunately, the fan base plays a large part of what defines a league and the NBA is suffering the consequences.
An interesting statistic from the Harvard study was that a large percentage of the NBA players who got into trouble where veterans in the league. It went against what Stern said a while back when imposing an age limit.
I can't speak for all cities but Rockets games are probably similar to the Texans and international in attendance. Of course, Houston is one of the most international cities in the U.S and may be a little different than other sports towns. At both, there are a lot of white, black, Hispanic (obviously), South American and the Rockets also have a significant Asian following due to Yao. A lot of European & Middle-Eastern influence is also here although I don't know if they get into the NFL. The Astros are mostly white & Hispanic fans with a little of everything else. For the number of games that the NBA has, the tickets are relatively expensive. The overall class of people seems to be higher than the football crowd although maybe that's just because it's more accepted to get crazy & intoxicated for football. Now that I think about it, I usually have about 2-3 beers leisurely at Rockets/Astros games but will most likely have at least 10-15 for any LSU or NFL game. Going to watch a football game must instantly trigger the brain to begin planning on how to get as much beer as possible into the system before game time.
That is interesting but I still think that these "veterans" started with being young and in the situation that I stated before, so they may not have had the "training" and "upbringing" needed to continue on a successful patern in life. Once again I will say this is just a suggestion and my opinion is based on the talking heads on ESPN and other sports writings, and we all know how reliable they are!:hihi: (I really don't watch a lot of NBA except when I am in Miami and that is what everybody else is watching!)
I think a lot of the problems with NFL and NBA athletes stem from the fact that many grow up in poverty, become wealthy with the stroke of a pen, and have a hard time handling/managing the money, freedom, etc. Just my thought.
Well I guess we can add Joey Porter to the list of NFL thugs. Apparently Joey and Bengals tackle Levi Jones got into a fist fight at the Palms Casino last night. Jones required on-scene medical attention and Porter was cited for misdemeanor battery. Police said that Jones was not cited because that public a$$ whipping was punishment enough. http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_078114653.html
I'd say some of has to do with the fact that you can see a lot more of NBA players' bodies when they are dressed in their uniforms. All the tattoos, wristbands, cornrows, etc. associated with thug culture are more evident on the NBA players. The NFL players wear helmets and only have minimal skin exposure during games so you can't see what they really look like. It's like any other corporation that makes employees wear uniforms. We become used to what the uniforms look like and are then more comfortable with the poeple wearing the uniforms. Would you be more likely to open your door to a UPS employee in a brown uniform or some guy with baggy shorts, cornrows and tatoos holding a box on your porch?
It is quite the talk in Miami!!! they swear that they have that Saints curse now!!! Thank goodness! Somebody but us!!!:hihi: Seriosly, being in Miami and Orlando I really want Miami to do well after Saban left! I hope they don't get the curse and all of a sudden the are in contention! (of course not against the saints!) Just my opinion! But I would love Saban just to have to admit he is a bad coach!! (in pro)
