The NBA's Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime

[BengalszoneBilly]

Probably a very enlightening read!

Out of Bounds: by Jeff Benedict

Out of Bounds: Inside the NBA's Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime is a searing indictment of professional basketball players who live in a world where criminal laws and social norms don't exist, a world where they are given license to act above the law.

On the court, they dazzle us with their spectacular physical feats. They generate millions of dollars of revenue for the NBA and their teams. They inspire adulation. But underneath all the glitz, the money, and alley-oops is a seamy underbelly, a rash of lawlessness that is gripping the NBA.

Based on a first-of-its-kind investigation into the criminal histories of 177 NBA players from the 2001–2002 season, Out of Bounds shows that an alarming four out of every ten NBA players have a police record involving a serious crime. They are All-Stars and they are journeymen, involved in crimes ranging from armed robbery to domestic violence to gun possession to rape.

Out of Bounds takes a hard look at shocking cases, with graphic accounts of physical and sexual violence and other outrageous conduct by players. In all, more than 250 people are named, including many prominent NBA players. It exposes the environment and culture that encourages such criminal behavior. It also explains the unique challenges these cases pose for law-enforcement agencies and prosecutors. And Out of Bounds takes readers inside the hidden yet critically vital role that lawyers, agents, and fame play in insulating criminally accused players from accountability.

Author Jeff Benedict, an expert on athletes and crime, draws his conclusions from exhaustive research. In addition to his criminal-background checks, the author retrieved documents from law-enforcement agencies, courts, and private attorneys. He conducted more than 400 interviews with police officers, prosecutors, defense lawyers, players, agents, victims, witnesses, and coaches. What emerges is a disturbing and appalling picture of men who live above the law.

A seminal and important work, Out of Bounds will forever change how we look at the NBA and its stars' lives of excess and privilege.

[kevnz]

Surprise!

Damn, no wonder the standard of play in the NBA has gone down...that would be an interesting comparison....the level of criminals increase, versus the level of technical skill decreasing....Maybe it's not Sportscenters fault.

As an aside, I enjoy Basketball...They have a national league here and an Australian league that has a NZ team and the level of fundamental basketball skill is so much higher than the NBA it isn't even funny. But then I think the day and age of the NBA players being considered the best is about to come to an end....THEY LOST TO ITALY!!!!! Give me a break.

[Barbarian]

We have known felons on our own Olympic Team!!! I don't think you should be able to have a felony and be able to represent your country because it's a horrible representation.

In the NBA, there are guys like Mr. 40 Bars (Allen Iverson), 'Weed Wallace, Amare Smokameyer, Jayson Williams (the guy that shot his driver), Kobe Bryant, and Ruben Patterson (just to name a few).

These guys all think they're above the law--and obviously, they ARE for some strange reason. Jayson Williams was ACQUITTED last month!!! How do you get acquitted for that??????????????????? If it were you or I (common people), our asses would be sitting on death row awaiting a nice little fatal pinprick.

How did 'Weed Wallace and Smokameyer get out of spending many months in prison for illegal drug paraphenalia over state lines (Oregon to Washington)?????? Shouldn't that be a federal thing??? Isn't that the same thing that Jamal Lewis is being arraigned on???

Ruben Patterson has done numerous crimes but has hardly spent a day in jail. What kind of s**t is this???

[Kirkendall]

I blame the NBA for it's own demise for 2 reasons.

1. There is little consequences for illegal or actions detrimental toward the sport. There needs to be more suspensions that last at least one full season depending on the broken rule. There needs to be more league structure and a PR campaign that shows the NBA is committed to bringing back the players of old with the attitudes of champions and not maliciousness.

2. Kids are too young to earn that much money and gain that much fame. Create age restrictions and force all players through at least 3 years of college or 4 years of a development league of some sorts. This way the kids will get guidance and grow maturity before getting the money and fame that turns some of these kids into criminals. I'm not saying it will solve all problems, but more and more fans would come back knowing the league is a little saner and parents won't be guarded against having a great NBAer a problem whom their children look up to.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Actually this writer has written a like book on the NFL's criminal element as well! I heard he plans to cover all the major sports.

[Kirkendall]

Good. All of it needs to be exposed. This celebrity athelete above the law BS needs to be exposed more and made an example of.