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Originally Posted by Buehler445
Not sure I follow what you're saying. You've acknowledged that it is completely unacceptable, he should be punished, he's facing the same environment that everyone else is, and you still think it matters what was said.
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You'd have to not be living in the same world I am to not think it matters what was said. If this guy said a racial slur to him (as is being alleged), it completely changes how the situation is perceived and the level of outrage about it. Also notice how this has been the main point of contention in this thread and in the media.
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It doesn't. It's not about the fan getting hurt. I wouldn't piss on the guy if he were on fire. This is about the remarkable fall from grace that Smart is going through. Last year the dude was fairly untouchable. He beat a really good KU team in AFH by himself basically, he was a lock for the lottery, and after he came back, he was thought to have his team in the hunt for a title, if he showed progress at all he should be the best player in the nation by a mile, and should be a lock for top 5. Now, he's 4-6 in conference, not shooting well, not playing to the level he was last year, has a reputation as a flopper rather than just being more clutch and athletic than everyone on the floor and now he goes after a fan? That is a significant role reversal. And just Smart gets all the credit for OSU success, justly or unjustly, he's going to get credit for the failures.
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Smart has been a top 3 player in the B12 by the numbers (KenPom ranks the top 5 as Embiid, Smart, Wiggins, Ejim, and Kane currently for reference) . He's going to be a top 10 pick in the NBA draft in about 5 months. And a few short months after that, he's going to be starting for a NBA team and making millions doing it. Fall from grace? By this time next year, this situation and his team's shitty season (which really isn't his fault at all, he's playing better than last year) will be long gone in everyone's minds beyond those who hold a grudge.
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If he were a hawk we'd all love him. He'll his situation is not completely unlike Brandon Rush. Fact is though he's not a hawk, he plays in conference and the dude isn't untouchable like he was last year.
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Jayhawk or not, I love him as a player regardless. I suspect he'll be one of my favorites in the league for years.