NBA Rookie Camp Lesson No. 1: Don't Smoke Dope at NBA Rookie Camp

There is a good deal of disagreement among the greater community of citizen judges when it comes to grown adults and marijuana. Some think it's not a big deal, others want heads lopped off. It's a similar sentiment when you break it down to a sporting population: many would argue it's fine in the offseason, others see it as an unforgivable offense for someone making so much dang money. The NBA, for whatever reason, is at center stage in this war over whether we should give two shakes to whether our athletes burn.

In the interest of unity, then, let me offer a basic tenet I believe we can all subscribe to: it is a bad idea to smoke dope while at a rookie camp which has the central aim of telling you not to smoke dope. The NBA's rookie camp does that and more: league officials go over basic rules of conduct, offer lessons on money management and fiscal prudence, educate educate educate. The anti-drug facet is a major pillar, by all accounts.

Kansas products Mario Chalmers of the Heat and Darrell Arthur of Memphis got busted with marijuana in their hotel room at the camp, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. The pair got sent home. Fines and suspensions are on the way. (Also, I assume they didn't get their weed back.)

I guess when you're fiendin' you're fiendin' ... but seriously: at least wait until rookie camp is over, OK? There are, like, 51 weeks out of the year when you're not sitting under the eagle-eyed watch of Secaucus. Use your noodle. (Also: Marcus Banks, opening night starter for your Miami Heat!)

What Were They Thinking?

Heat rookie Mario Chalmers, left, and Grizzlies rookie Darrell Arthur were thrown out of the NBA's rookie transition program Wednesday after reportedly being caught with marijuana in their hotel room. They wouldn't be the only athletes to be booted or suspended for a foolish act, though.

Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Nebraska wrestler Paul Donahoe, above, was one of two athletes kicked off the Huskers wrestling team on August 12 after nude pictures of them appeared on a pornographic website.

Carlos Osorio, AP

Georgia linebacker Darius Dewberry, center, was suspended after vandalizing a hospital. Dewberry, the sixth Bulldog to be disciplined in the offseason, broke a parking lot barrier and four potted plants in early August.

John Amis, AP

Josh Jarboe, an incoming freshman player at Oklahoma, was dismissed from the football team August 1 by head coach Bob Stoops after a video of him rapping about guns and shooting people appeared on the Internet.

You Tube

Oklahoma guard Jenna Plumley was suspended indefinitely on July 14 following an alleged petty shoplifting incident. Police said Plumley was stopped by store personnel at Wal-Mart with cosmetics in her possession.

Alonzo Adams, AP

Former Florida State star Peter Warrick was charged with grand theft in 1999 after he reportedly attempted to fleece a department store in a pricing scam with then-teammate Laveranues Coles. Warrick received a two-game suspension from the Seminoles and Coles was kicked off the team.

Mark Foley, AP

Ex-MLB outfielder Ruben Rivera was voted off the Yankees by his teammates following a spring training game in 2002. Rivera took Derek Jeter's glove and bat and sold them to a sports memorabilia dealer, reportedly for $2,500.

Peter Cosgrove, AP

Florida safety Jamar Hornsby was kicked off the team in May after being charged with using a credit card issued to Ashley Slonina, a student who died in an October 2007 motorcycle accident. Hornsby was accused of using the dead woman's credit card 70 times for a total of $3,000 in charges.

Doug Benc, Getty Images

In July 2007, tennis player Anastasia Rodionova became the second player on the WTA Tour to be disqualified from a match when she smacked a ball toward fans rooting for her opponent at the Cincinnati Women's Open.

STRDEL / AFP / Getty Images

Five Alabama players, including lineman Marlon Davis, pictured, were suspended in October 2007 for a violation of school policy involving the receipt of textbooks. Following the incident, the university launched an investigation into the distribution of textbooks to athletes on scholarship in all sports.

Marc Serota, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-03-2008 @ 3:58PM

Frederick said...

2008 this should not be an issue in my opinion

the US president even had is moments with the chronic according to Bill Lee

9-03-2008 @ 5:26PM

ryan said...

I got 5 on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9-03-2008 @ 5:28PM

goff said...

do people really need to be told that? how stupid can you be? and if you can't stop from fiendin' then you're already saying you're psychologically addicted to something that mostly isn't addictive...plus...NBA is a fast sport game and last I looked...herb NEVER enhanced the quick sport experience...

9-03-2008 @ 5:35PM

Eric said...

Someone should compile an all-weed team consisting of those known offenders. My lineup so far:

C: Chris Webber
PF: Rasheed Wallace
SF: Josh Howard
SG: ?
PG: Damon Stoudamire
Bench: Arthur/Chalmers
Coach: Phil Jackson

For the record, I don't particularly care, because I assume the majority of the league partakes, but I do find this interesting in kind of a stupid way.

9-04-2008 @ 5:45AM

Bob said...

How could you leave off Iverson?

9-04-2008 @ 12:24PM

GEO3333G said...

YOU FORGOT BILL WALTON!!

9-03-2008 @ 6:29PM

CHRIS said...

I WAS AT A REUNION THIS SUMMER AND I SAW A KANSAS PLAYER ROBINSON WHO JUST GRADUATED,SOMEGUYS WERE SMOKING WEED AROUND KIDS AND HE TOLD THEM TO PUT IT OUT,THESE WERE SOME REALTHUGS, BUT HE DIDN'T CARE,THE NBA WANTED NO PART OF THIS TYPE OF KID,THIS GUY IS A REAL ROLE MODEL FOR KIDS,BUT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THUGS AND DRUGGIES

9-03-2008 @ 6:40PM

Scottie from Phoenix said...

420 or bust ! Weed is legal in many states- I am sure it was for MD approved medical reasons. Wasn't Cheech a good hoops player.

9-04-2008 @ 9:13AM

sanman said...

thru the years players have smoked weed and i never once seen a player hurt by weed coke on the other hand destroyed careers, but these guys were styupid at least take it outside instead of in a hotel where you can't smoke cigarettes now a days. they are silly for smoking at rookie orientation anyway.
but a little chronic is a good thing better than the other stuff thats out there.
peace p.s. use your heads fellas oh yeah your high!!!!!!!!!!

9-04-2008 @ 10:43AM

hammer said...

This is like attending a DUI class, drunk. Not too bright!! The real problem here is the college programs look the other way at every mis-step and these kids are never held accountable for their mistakes. I am sure these two are totally shocked they were asked to leave camp and the reaction from the other players is probably to think it is funny. But if these guys are going to make tens of millions of dollars and help sell sneakers to kids, I do think they have an obligation to live their life a certain way. Granted, pot is not the end of the world, but which of us with teenage children is going to be happy to find out our kids are smoking????

9-04-2008 @ 4:07PM

Dale said...

Let's see now... the History Channel tells US that the Media (Hearst newspapers) and the gov lied to US (imagine media and the gov doing that!) about Pot. Then the fine People of many States Voted to Legalize/Decriminalize it only to have the fed gov arrest/harass People exercising Their Rights... What do People think, this is a Democracy? patriotsquestion911.com---911truth.org (remember about the proof of media/gov lies!)

9-04-2008 @ 1:41PM

MrOpinionated said...

MrO...sez: Sadly,I doubt there is a single pro of any sport worth the wasting of my time,muchless money,any more! This event simply proofs the truth is stupidity reigns from our schools! Leagues must start demanding a higher moral expectation from all atheletes,from all sports,from waterguys/gals right up to owners! Fans have to become the sports morality keepers...Make your voice heard by keeping your wallets/purses tightly closed for a couple seasons and watch the teams clean things up,and fast! Wishes,MrO!

9-04-2008 @ 5:26PM

Xavier said...

I'm not going to condemn these guys for smoking weed, God knows it's better than 'crack,' 'cocaine,' and 'meth,' however, I will condemn them for being stupid and exercising very poor judgement. At the very least, wait until you've played a few regular season games before lighting up.College may educate us academically, but it sure doesn't teach "Common sense."

9-05-2008 @ 12:19PM

finestdj said...

How about Boston's Robert Parrish...
Big time weed smoker...

9-06-2008 @ 11:02PM

daric15 said...

Why shouldn't we expect people to obey the law as part of the job description, I have a friend that was fired from his job at McDonalds because his boss caught him smoking pot and beating off in the bathroom. Do you want that guy puting together your burger. We expect everyone who lives in this country to obey the law no matter who you are. In business it makes your work place look bad and that costs you money. Why don't we try raising our standards for a change instead of constantly lowering them.

9-06-2008 @ 11:44PM

@DARIC15--I AGREE WITH YOUR POINT WHOLE HEARTEDLY.I STILL BELIEVE STERN CONDONE THESE TYPE OF PLAYERS IN THIS LEAGUE, ITS REALLY SAD,SINCE KIDS NEED REAL ROLE MODELS .