Dreams and Aspirations: A Multimillion Dollar Career that Ended before it Started. Isaiah Austin

Imagine for a moment, the dream you always chased, worked hard for and settled your heart on, was ripped from under you at any given moment. Imagine, having the reality of your dream in the palm of your hand, and having to watch your opportunity be given to someone else because of something beyond your control. Now imagine, if that dream had millions of dollars attached to it. Would you feel like you were robbed? Would you feel like you robbed yourself? Would you risk it all and pursue your dream anyway? What if it meant life or death? Isaiah Austin is a 7’0” tall basketball player for Baylor University. He had a dream of entering the league and playing professionally. As a 7’0” athlete who wouldn’t want him on their team?! He would have entered the draft but for severe medical conditions. Austin played basketball his entire life; he has practiced and trained for the moment to be evaluated by professional teams. Fortunately, this moment came, a moment he had always dreamed of. Unfortunately, the results would change his life forever.

Austin has played basketball for as long as he could remember, and even with impairment he continued to work hard. Rather than taking self-pity on himself he decided to use his disadvantage as motivation. At the age of eight, Austin was hit in the eye with a baseball. This ruined his retina that permanently damaged his eyesight. After undergoing multiple surgeries, he was completely blind in his right eye and ultimately lost his eye entirely—even this did not impede his passion and love for the game of basketball. Austin continued to work hard and fight for the dream he knew he could accomplish.

Recently, Austin entered the NBA draft and after medical testing, he was denied his dream. The doctors report stated that he has a rare condition called Marfan syndrome that interferes with his body tissue. However, if he over works himself his heart may rupture. His dream is over, he may never be able to fully play the game of basketball that he once cherished so much. In a sense this could be considered a blessing in disguise because had he not gone to the draft this year and continued to play for Baylor University, he could have overexerted himself and the results could have been tragic. This disappointment has saved his life and for that, Austin and all of his fans, should be eternally grateful.

Austin is extremely and undeniably talented; it would be very disappointing to allow his talent to go to waste. I propose that since he still has intercollegiate eligibility Baylor University should honor his scholarship so that he may continue his education. Upon graduation, he should be offered an assistant coaching position this would ensure that he still has the ability to affect the game of basketball without putting his own life at risk. Being a coach would put him on the other side of the game, teaching what he has been taught and inspiring athletes to persevere through adversity. The good news for Austin is that he has his talents insured and since he is unable to play not because of his loss of eyesight or his shoulder—but because of Marfan syndrome—Austin can cash in on his million dollar policy, for his lack of a basketball career. Some may be thinking its great that he’s making a million dollars and does not have to play another day in his life, but it seems that the love of the game is more important to him than a million dollar insurance policy—that’s passion. When no amount of money can alter the love you have for the desired dream.

The moral of this story is to always strive for your dreams, regardless of what you may be facing; continue to work hard and remain positive. When you have a passion for something, use your downfalls as a mechanism that ignites a motivating force to propel you to another level you never knew you could reach. Sometimes God does not give us what we want—in this case the opportunity to play in the NBA—because we deserve something better—the gift of life.

Queen Tut

Freedom of Speech v. a Depraved Heart: Donald Sterling Banned for Life

Sterling judgmentally discriminated against minorities—primarily African American’s—by refusing to rent housing units; paying African Americans significantly less than Caucasian employees; and intimidating or bullying team players; all of which has been documented. Broader than the business spectrum and delving into his personal affairs—he has been married to his wife Rochelle Sterling for over 50 years, and has been involved with his mistress for the past 4 years, purchasing her a $1.5 million condominium, a Range Rover, 2 Bentley’s and a Ferrari. Prior to this arrangement, he had extra marital affairs with different women. All of these facts were of high relevance when the commissioner decided a suitable punishment. This is an elderly rich Caucasian man who lacks morals to say the least. Although he is banned from the NBA for life, he still held primary control as the “owner” of the team until recently. The $2.5 Million fine is not a substantial amount of money in comparison to his net worth, which is equivalent to a slap on the wrist.

After the racist allegations of Donald Sterling, he neither confirmed nor denied the statements. After an intense investigation, it was found to be Sterling, all the while. The commissioner decided to ban Sterling from attending any games for the rest of his life. Let’s think about this. Sterling is 80+ years of age, how much of a punishment is this? Though, this is more justice than him paying a sanction, being banned is not extensive enough for the statements made. There should be an amendment of bylaws in the NBA, for when similar situations arise. Now he is obligated to sell the team to someone who's values are more aligned with the NBA. He purchased the team at 20 Million, but will be selling for 2 Billion, that is a profit of one billion nine hundred eighty million (yes you read that correctly). This amount of money is a reward to the reasonable lay person, but in this instance it does not punish him for his actions instead it gives him more than what he gained originally.

Some may argue that these conversations were private and he should not be obligated to forfeit his property interest in his team. Should the land of the free restrict free speech of others? Should that rise to the level of taking the property and liberty of its citizens?  When the effect of his conduct has interfered with his business and the team as a whole, there’s only one answer and that is that of the affirmative. The majority of his team (including the coach) is African American, without them; there is no team and therefore no game, which ultimately alters the game of basketball. It is morally unfair to ask African Americans to continue to work for and with him, until HE decides to sell the team (could proceed after death). He is a self-made billionaire, a retired practicing attorney and businessman. He feels entitled to his wife, mistresses, the team and attention. There is no remorse for his actions and thus, the punishment should be more severe than just the banning. Selling the team is the best alternative solely because the fraternity of owners do not agree or want to be associated with such a situation.

Freedom of speech comes with a price, unfortunately for him it cost him his livelihood. Loose lips sink ships!

Queen Tut