Monday, May 27, 2013

NBA & RACE

http://www.chicagonow.com/cheaper-than-therapy/files/2011/07/confidence-tall-kid-ball-demotivational-poster-1261438716.jpg


Which of these kids is the most likely to be headed to the NBA?

If you answered "Number 25" you no doubt understand where this post is headed.  As I watch the never-ending NBA playoffs, it is clear that white US players make up around 10% of the league, and generally as non-starters.  In 2012, 78% of all NBA players were African-Americans [full report here] and the percentage of African-American, henceforth black,  players at the Division I college level is well over 50%.  I have yet to find a satisfactory answer as to why there is such domination in this sport whereas hockey is the inverse with even a greater percentage of players being white, with only a couple dozen of the 600+ players being black.  Understandably the demographics of Canada is a big contributor the the distribution of whites in the NHL, but demographics does not tell us much of anything about the NBA.  There are the genetic arguments, the cultural arguments, the racist arguments, etc., but I suppose the best analysis that I have seen can be found here.  Basically the paper is a fairly clear argument for innate talent [genetics which is a very unpopular explanation] being primary and culture playing a minor role.

What do you think??  And while you are at it, you can also explain the growing preponderance of Latinos in professional baseball......

10 comments:

S3 said...

The genetic explanation is only unpopular amongst the truly insanse. They may walk and talk, be tenured, and appear normal, but their thought processes are illogical to the point of insanity.

Phil L. said...

Guess the NBA proves that equality and excellence don't mix.

hoosierdaddy said...

Phil - you make a good point. I have long fantasized about filing a discrimination lawsuit against the NBA - no 5'10" white boys on the roster and I can shoot as good as most!! I would settle for being the last man on the bench, drawing the minimum salary which is now $490,180......could probably eek by on that.

Ava G. said...

Looks like number 21 should see a doctor, unless he has career plans with Barnum and Bailey.

Bizzy Brain said...

Speaking of the NBA, I hear Denver is committing Nuggicide. True?

Douglas E said...

By letting the GM go??

Douglas E said...

Wow - just caught up with the news after being out of touch for four days....thanks for the heads up cousin Steve. Coach of Year and GM of Year out the door - BB - I think you are right about Nuggicide. More later....

BB said...

Thought I was the only one who could be out of touch when away from home, seeing as how I don't own a smart phone and never will. Maybe you were out of reach of a cell tower signal?

Douglas E said...

Ha! Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp has virtually no cell phone service, and while working as a volunteer, there is not too much time to get on the wireless internet that is available. Plus - it is kinda nice being out of touch!

hoosierdaddy said...

Ava - possibly Kleinfelter's or photoshop or a skinny white kid in a growth spurt :-)