New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris estimates 75% of NBA players own guns

[The Straight Story]

New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris estimates 75% of NBA players own guns

An incident involving Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas in which he allegedly drew a firearm on a teammate has set off a firestorm of opinion among current NBA players, who tell of a flourishing gun culture in the NBA. If true, it could spell trouble for NBA commissioner David Stern, who is still smarting from former referee Tim Donaghy's admission that he bet on games.

Reached after practice Friday, Nets guard Devin Harris shed light on a potentially frightening situation for the NBA. He estimated that as many as 75% of players in the league own guns.

"I mean, look at the situation," said Harris, who added that he does not own a gun. "A lot of guys have been robbed. A couple of guys, God rest their souls, have passed away. I guess they feel like they need some sort of protection, I don't know. I can't speak for everybody. I'd say between 60 and 75% (of players own guns)."

Nets teammate Jarvis Hayes, who played with Arenas in Washington from 2003-07, agreed with Harris' estimate - and he's among the NBA players who pack heat.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2010/01/02/2010-01-02_nets_harris_75_of_players_own_weapons.html#ixzz0bRjDIYFi

[aikoaiko]

1. If they legally own them as well as keep and bear them legally -- I don't care.

If they use them to illegally make threats or do harm, then fuck em. We have a judicial system for a reason.

[Sherman A1]

2. Agreed

[divideandconquer]

3. More bad role model issues for pro sports

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Why, are all pro athlete thugs?

[Sherman A1]

5. Are they?

Seems like a bit of a sweeping generalization to me.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. D&C is a drive by poster who write asinine stuff and then bails

When he does respond he gets trapped defending positions so absurd its entertaining. Its not the first time he has posted things with racist impacts if not intent.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. Legal activities don't make for bad role models.

[donco6]

6. I envision a new ending to Slap Shot

Instead of Michael Ontkean (sp, but who gives a shit?) skating around to a strip tease while the rest of the two teams are engaged in scattered individual brawls about the rink, imagine a basketball floor strewn with bleeding bodies, each reaching with bloody fingers for their firearms stored in various places about the floor, under chairs, in bags, strapped to their thighs, all while Whoever The Big Basketball Start of the Day is jogging happily up and down the floor making 3 pointers while sliding on blood and gore.

Tarentino anyone?

[Taitertots]

8. That is really funny

You are fastasizing that the basketball players who almost never fight are being worse than the violent sociopath hockey players.

I mean it is not like they are violent sociopaths like in hockey, who get off on beating each other up.

[donco6]

12. Hmm, maybe they "never fight" because they all own guns!

Wow, that could really make the gun nut's case for him. If only we ALL owned guns, NO ONE would ever fight.

[Taitertots]

13. I'll bet plenty of Hockey players own guns

There are enough hockey players and guns that it is a safe bet they have guns.

The case is already made. We all have guns and even when we fight, guns usually don't get involved.

Violent hockey players are not shooting each other off the ice. Basketball players may point them at each other but don't shoot. Football players just shoot themselves.

[Alenne]

7. It's not illegal for them to own guns.

I don't know why it would be frightening.

[Artie Bucco]

10. I am gonna go ahead and say it

there are people both on the left and the right that are scared of black people with guns.