Grant Hill's Eloquent Response to Being Called an "Uncle Tom" by Jalen Rose

What a BAMF.

Powerful shit written by a strong man. My mancrush for him has risen a bajillion fold.

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 16, 2011 12:18 PM MST reply actions

Jalen got classy BAMF'd

still no goddamn sun eric what the hell?

"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH

by 2NASHTY on Mar 16, 2011 12:25 PM MST up reply actions

Dude, Steve Nash just isn't all that into you now.

You’ll get sun when he learns to accept you.

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 16, 2011 12:27 PM MST up reply actions

going into SF

any recommendations?

"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH

by 2NASHTY on Mar 16, 2011 12:29 PM MST up reply actions

Don't drop the soap.

And accept the fact that there won’t be any sun during your stay here.

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 16, 2011 2:38 PM MST up reply actions

It's fitting that we keep using the word "classy" to describe Hill (and this response)

because the issue here is not about race- it is about class. In a world where wealth and social status is racialized, issues of class and race intersect and clash. Classy behavior is associated with “white” behavior and values, and “blackness” is associated with poverty, which is stupid.

I can totally understand criticizing Duke for limiting its recruiting pool to middle/upper-class candidates, but the school does recruit black players. Do they recruit lower-class white players? IDK. I would guess not. I would guess that they limit their selections based on class, not race. Let’s not confuse the issues: Duke denying admission to qualified black students would be an issue of racism, and would deserve to be criticized as such. Duke recruiting predominately privileged players is a CLASS issue, and criticizing it as a racial issue is counterproductive.

As a country, we are at a juncture where class issues are vastly more important than racial issues. Racism still exists as a repressive instrument, and it serves to divide the working class, causing intraclass conflict and infighting.

Stay “classy” BSOTS, and stay black too.

Channing Frye would NEVER catch flying french fries with his left hand!

by Will Slaven on Mar 16, 2011 5:10 PM MST up reply actions 8 recs

Rec'd

We should turn this comment green, it is VERY insightful.

by tptman on Mar 16, 2011 7:48 PM MST up reply actions

very insightful Will

sadly most discourse over race never gets to this level of clarity…

by Fritzy on Mar 16, 2011 11:09 PM MST up reply actions

What!?...you're putting well articulated and reasond words in my knee jerk irratoinal mouth...

But if forced to address such heady topics that transcend our humble sports blog…then yes i agree. there is a trend in our nation to turn all issues into a dichotomy..right or wrong…good or bad…nothing in between, it’s easier to believe you’re right if you paint another as inherently wrong (that’s why we have escape goat). while the issues of race may not be as prevalent these days, as grant (and Jalen, in his own way) points out. it was less then 2 generations ago that an educated successful black person was despised by there own culture as well as others. racism and class-ism may not be the same thing, but for now, in the united states they are inherently linked…. sux don’t it…I’m going back to one liners now, it’s my comfort zone

"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH

by 2NASHTY on Mar 17, 2011 2:17 AM MST up reply actions

I'd be black if I wasn't white

by Raptorel on Mar 21, 2011 6:15 AM MST up reply actions

Grant Hill is a man.

A classy, inspirational man.

He easily could’ve lashed out in an irrational manner but instead he took his time, and wrote a thoughtful, powerful response.

I would admire Grant Hill on any team but it’s things like this that make me so thankful he’s a Phoenix Sun and make me proud to be a fan.

by Dragic_is_Magic on Mar 16, 2011 12:37 PM MST reply actions

wow.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Mar 16, 2011 1:12 PM MST up reply actions

I don’t think it would have been irrational at all for him to lash out…I wish I had his restraint.

Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo

by Seth Pollack on Mar 16, 2011 1:20 PM MST up reply actions

I more meant if he said something when he was upset

and people took it the wrong way.

by Dragic_is_Magic on Mar 16, 2011 1:34 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Grant has showed who the better man is!

He took his time & wrote a nice answer that put Rose in his place without ever trowing an insult at him. Such a great man!
Rose on the other hand.. He tweeted an apology to him?? Really? Would a phone call not had been a better way for this? Dude just wants publicity.

by Aztiramtempe on Mar 16, 2011 1:12 PM MST reply actions

This is interesting.

Last week Rose said pretty clearly that this is how he felt at the time…when he was a 17 year old to 19 year old kid (http://twitter.com/jalenrose/status/46067910954856448) (http://twitter.com/jalenrose/status/45269703429595136). I’m sure we all thought and felt stupid shit when we were that age.

But for whatever reason, Rose has seemed to back off that original “I was young” argument with comments like this: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6219766 – where he seems to sort of stay with it.

The thing about Grant’s response is…who’s he arguing with? Is he arguing with 1991 Jalen Rose? Because if Rose’s comments last week were accurate then I think Grant wouldn’t find any argument with 2011 Rose. But if Grant is responding to the newer comments from Rose – like in that ESPN First Take interview I linked – then I see the point.

Founder of the Coalition to Light Vince Carter On Fire (CTLVCOF)
RIP Seasons of Discontent

by Scott Howard on Mar 16, 2011 1:38 PM MST reply actions

Those twitter links are a little broken. Try this.

http://twitter.com/jalenrose/status/46067910954856448
http://twitter.com/jalenrose/status/45269703429595136

Founder of the Coalition to Light Vince Carter On Fire (CTLVCOF)
RIP Seasons of Discontent

by Scott Howard on Mar 16, 2011 1:39 PM MST up reply actions

Yup

I saw him on First Take before seeing these tweets. Definitely seems to be going in the opposite direction. Not sure if he’s just pushing back because of all the flack he got for the comments or what.

Re-sign BAMF.

by brian13 on Mar 16, 2011 3:28 PM MST up reply actions

Thing is...

I honestly think Grant’s response is based on the initial comments from the documentary and not the First Take backtracking….which makes his response kind of weird to me.

Founder of the Coalition to Light Vince Carter On Fire (CTLVCOF)
RIP Seasons of Discontent

by Scott Howard on Mar 16, 2011 3:30 PM MST up reply actions

Jalen says

That’s just how he felt at 17, but it sure isn’t how he acts when he talks about it.

Achievement is its own reward, pride obscures it.

by hcblankscreen on Mar 16, 2011 3:36 PM MST up reply actions

Which was my initial comment

Rose’s message has been confusing so I’m wondering what Hill is responding to. I tend to think it was the documentary since immediately after it was over Grant began teasing his response.

Founder of the Coalition to Light Vince Carter On Fire (CTLVCOF)
RIP Seasons of Discontent

by Scott Howard on Mar 16, 2011 3:42 PM MST up reply actions

the whole thing is a bit odd.

I think, the espn video conversation says, thats what I said at 17 and that’s how he felt then. So he seems to be sticking with the uncle Tom comment as something he felt than. But now, though he wouldn’t, maybe use that word, he says they still try to sign “affluent blacks”.

Jalen also seems to be saying calling someone an uncle tom is not that bad.

So I think the only way to view it is to say, that Grant responded to the tenor of the doc and that Jalen backed of a little, but is either saying now that a) Uncle Tom is not derogatory or b) whatever you want to call it, Duke recruits a type of player he wasn’t at 17.

by HarvMel on Mar 16, 2011 4:10 PM MST up reply actions

"type of player" should be "type of person"

by HarvMel on Mar 16, 2011 4:12 PM MST up reply actions

Jalen Rose got served so hard

The last line being the icing on the cake. Also I wonder if the documentary talks about how Michigan (just Webber from Fab 5) got caught laundering money from gambling operation and thus forfeited their results from those two years?

I’ve always thought Fab Five impact was overrated. Reached the finals, but lost both times. Big deal, baggy shorts and black socks, kids had been dressing like that for years.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 16, 2011 1:51 PM MST reply actions

It did not cover money laundering,

but it did cover how one individual booster had financial influence on a couple of the Fab 5. The focus was mostly on how the Fab 5 was cultural phenomenon, how they were treated, what they had to go through, etc… If there were some really corrupt things going on at Michigan, it only touched very lightly on it, i.e. the one booster mentioned.

It was also my understanding that Jalen-now’s “Uncle Tom” comment was how Jalen-then felt about Grant Hill-then, and nothing to do with Jalen-now’s feelings towards Grant Hill-now.

"I'll get inside your face!"- Chaz Michael Michaels

by Zentrified on Mar 16, 2011 2:17 PM MST up reply actions

lol but not on that level or walk of life, thats supposed to show college educated kids, student athletes…it showed the streets, it was rebellion against the establishment

by KobeBryantSlamDunkGiant on Mar 16, 2011 4:19 PM MST up reply actions

The only thing that Jalen Rose has rebelled against is poverty.

I smell like the vault. I'm so PAID.

by RMason on Mar 16, 2011 4:49 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

I'm gonna have to watch it for sure

having lived through it I have a different perspective. Baggy shorts are a standard now. Not that big of a deal. It makes dribbling through your legs harder. The college establishment has not changed. They are shadier and more hypocritical then ever before because the stakes are higher.

So if Fab 5 gets credit for baggy shorts, who gets credit for all the jerseys now cut as muscle shirts that only were used as practice before now? It looks ridiculous to see tight shirts and baggy shorts.

One good point brought up by an old school player is that the ladies loved the shorter shorts.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 18, 2011 6:13 PM MST up reply actions

Wow

That is such a great response on so many levels. Epitome of class.

by ilintar on Mar 16, 2011 2:23 PM MST reply actions

Let's see who's currently the bi-winner.

1. Grant Hill never lost to the Fab Five. Grant Hill 1-0
2. Jalen Rose is retired and Grant Hill’s still playing. Even though Grant’s a year older. Grant Hill 2-0
3. Grant Hill actually got playing time when suiting up for the Suns. Grant Hill 3-0
4. Jalen Rose works for ESPN: Grant Hill 33-0

There’s no coming back from 33 down.
Winner: Grant Hill

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 16, 2011 2:37 PM MST reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd for the Charlie Sheen "Bi-winning"!

Sheen’s catch phrases have been totally awesome for the sports world.

"I'll get inside your face!"- Chaz Michael Michaels

by Zentrified on Mar 16, 2011 3:49 PM MST up reply actions

"I'm proud I never lost a game to the fab five"

Pwned!

"I suppose that writers should, in a way, feel flattered by the censorship laws. They show a primitive fear and dread at the fearful magic of print." - John Mortimer
Proud driver of the Polian for President bus

by JesusNinja13 on Mar 16, 2011 2:40 PM MST reply actions

I think it goes beyond pwned

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 18, 2011 6:15 PM MST up reply actions

I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

I think the only word that fits here is “dayum”.

I smell like the vault. I'm so PAID.

by RMason on Mar 16, 2011 2:45 PM MST reply actions

That is one proud MF.

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 16, 2011 4:33 PM MST up reply actions

My respect for Grant Hill is beyond imagination.

Him being part of my favourite team, makes me so proud.

by jv0521 on Mar 16, 2011 2:57 PM MST reply actions

Damn....

Thats all.

"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010

by N8lol on Mar 16, 2011 3:01 PM MST reply actions

Funny...

I remember cheering for the Fab Five back then and hatin’ on Duke because I felt like Jalen & respected their “street cred” because I was from a similar background. Now I’m the upper middle class brother who’s married and have two kids going to an exclusive private high school where very few blacks attend! As I reflect on this now I realize how idiotic it is for anyone to question someone’s level of “race” because they do not act or portray or emulate a specific stereotype that is typically associated with said race! Grant’s reply was pure elegance and even though he’ll never read this I apologize to him for ever questioning his “blackness”! As a Terrapin I still despise Duke with all my heart n soul though… :-)

I need a ring, DAMMIT!!

by Sunny_N_DC on Mar 16, 2011 3:16 PM MST via mobile reply actions

effect of this? 3thousand more followers on twitter for Grant in just one day

"Do what you fear and fear disappears."

by sun_equalizer on Mar 16, 2011 3:26 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

BAMF

Re-sign BAMF.

by brian13 on Mar 16, 2011 3:30 PM MST reply actions

new sig hehe

I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

by sun_equalizer on Mar 16, 2011 3:36 PM MST reply actions

Uncle Tom was a poor word to use

I think he meant maybe ‘’white washed’‘, which Jalen only interpreted because they came from a different background, he figured because Grant talked proper and was a generally quiet guy he wasnt ’’black’’. or because he may have sound white to him, or wasnt like any of his friends or associates. you know ie; the richard jefferson sounding type, but its all about your background, and how you grew up. I dont think he really meant harm but Duke doesnt recruit so called ’’hood’’ players..or players with certain backgrounds , or character issues or possible issues not meaning race obviously…could you imagine the fab 5 at Duke lol…no way ..it wouldnt be allowed…

by KobeBryantSlamDunkGiant on Mar 16, 2011 4:16 PM MST reply actions

Isn't that just another stereotype though?

That black people should act and talk one way and white people should act and talk another way? What about mixed race people? How are they supposed to act?

Uncle Tom is a powerful put down because it suggests you aren’t you’re own man. If he had said we represented the hood and Duke represents white elitists then perhaps it would have gone over a little smoother.

Jalen Rose knew exactly what he was saying he just said it to the wrong person.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 18, 2011 6:39 PM MST up reply actions

I agree.

I like Jalen. He played for us and was a good bench guy and, better, he is a good analyst for ESPN and gives the Suns some love occasionally. But this is clear-cut and over the line. The dude was just ignorant, thats all. I don’t hold it against him now, he is a different person. We all changed from the time we were 19-20 years old.

"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010

by N8lol on Mar 25, 2011 7:27 AM MST up reply actions

Grant Hill is a trending topic on twitter

Is he dead? normally dead people are trending topic in twitter

I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

by sun_equalizer on Mar 16, 2011 4:19 PM MST reply actions

Wait, I'm just hearing this...

Jalen Rose said what??!

I am a leaf on the wind. Watch me soar.

by noonoo on Mar 16, 2011 7:36 PM MST reply actions

So essentially what Grant Hill is trying to say is...

GOML, bitch.

Right?

Haters gonna hate. But I still have faith. Believe in this team. It's not as bad as it seems. Go and sit down, son. Cuz these Phoenix Suns ain't done.

by NashMV3 on Mar 17, 2011 1:31 AM MST reply actions

Somebody has probably already brought it up, but...

I wanted to let people know that what Jalen said about Duke recruiting “Uncle Toms” is not unique to him, he simply said it on ESPN. This has been said for quite some time, but now it has the mega-reach that comes with ESPN. The white, elitist image of Duke certainly plays a part in this belief.

College recruiting for football and basketball always takes into account a player’s background. If you get denied by one school because they deem you a risk to the school’s image there are always other schools waiting to take you on.

by oLLiE Boombayay on Mar 18, 2011 6:28 PM MST reply actions

Yeah, that's what I took from this. It was about a whole lot more than what Jalen said in that documentary.

I’m sure Grant Hill has been hearing that kind of thing for years, and his response was a major cultural statement. That’s what makes it so important and impressive to me. It reminded me of what Bill Cosby said here.

In May 2004 after receiving an award at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that outlawed school racial segregation, Cosby made public remarks critical of African Americans who put higher priorities on sports, fashion, and “acting hard” than on education, self-respect, and self-improvement, pleading for African-American families to educate their children on the many different aspects of American culture.

Charles Barkley famously said “I am not a role model.” More accurately, he didn’t want to be nor should he be a role model. But he was one, just as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Allen Iverson were (are). Allen Iverson is of the same generation as Hill, and I’ve wondered what might have been had Hill not lost his superstardom to injury. Iverson became the face of the league, and Grant Hill is 1000X more worthy of being a legitimate role model.

by East Bay Ray on Mar 19, 2011 8:05 PM MST up reply actions