Fab 5 documentary backlash

[chevonee]

Did anyone watch this documentary this past weekend? It has sparked great criticism because in the documentary Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson says that Duke (University) only recruits "Uncle Toms"...They then go on to talk about their resentment of Grant Hill and the fact that he had both parents...They also call him a female dog and an Uncle Tom. As a result of this Grant Hill published a response to this documentary and I must warn you that is has explicit language. http://granthill.com/hilltop/hilltop/grants-unedited-response-to-the-fab-fives-documentary

I just wanted to see what you guys thought about this...

[blyempowered]

Very interesting. I didn't see the documentary but I've been keeping up with the backlash from it. Jalen Rose and (can't think of the other guy's name) was on ESPN First Take earlier this week.

This is very interesting.

[under13]

What is this coonery?

[SirTJ]

The Fab 5 documentary was very entertaining, but they straight dogged Chris Webber. I don't think I caught the part about Grant Hill. I was working on something else.

[nessalynn77]

I didn't watch it, but I read Grant Hill's response.  He expressed himself very well... he's one of my favs.

[LaylaMonroe]

Is he still married to Tamia? I used to like her. Where is she, anyway?

[chevonee]

I thought Grant Hill expressed himself very well also. If I were him I would have been upset too, because they didn't have to call him out of his name like that. The sad part about it is that he and Jalen Rose are supposed to be friends.

[nessalynn77]

Is he still married to Tamia? I used to like her. Where is she, anyway?

Yes, I think they are still married.

[Doubles22]

Here's my take on it.  Jalen Rose was expressing how he felt about Duke at the time...as a 17 year-old kid.  While he still may not like Duke and some of its recruiting practices to this day, I'm positive that he doesn't feel as strong and angry now that he's more mature about it.  I felt that he didn't need to go as far as calling black players that go to Duke "Uncle Tom," but then again, we're talking about the rebellious thoughts of an inner-city 17 year-old at the time.  I'm sure he had more of a raging mindset then.

He admitted that some of his disgust toward Duke and Grant Hill was out of jealousy.  Grant Hill grew up in a two-parent home.  Grant Hill's dad played in the NFL.  Hill's mom was college roommates with Hillary Clinton.  Grant Hill is on record so-called "complaining" that he had to drive a Mercedes to high school.  He grew up in a nice neighborhood in a two parent home.  Now let's flip the script.  Jalen Rose's dad played in the NBA but never did a single thing to even acknowledge he had a son in Jalen Rose.  Jalen grew up poor in the inner-city in a single-parent home.  But at the end of the day, Jalen Rose and Grant Hill were both outstanding SCHOLAR BASKETBALL PLAYERS coming out of high school with no record of mischief.  Yet, Duke will take the time to go find a Grant Hill but not a Jalen Rose.  On that note, while I feel Jalen used a poor choice of words, I agree with him here because all that should matter is that your school is recruiting a smart guy that can play ball and stay out of trouble. 

Jalen mentioned that Duke indeed did try to recruit Chris Webber out of high school.  BUT...it came across that Duke sought out Chris Webber as an outstanding player from a good private school out of town not realizing he was actually an inner-city kid himself.   


I don't think Jalen has any ill will toward Grant Hill now just because he came from a good family and played at a good school.  Ultimately, that's what we want for ourselves.  No need to hate on a black person for that and I believe Jalen believes that now.  I just also found it interesting that Jalen Rose has said recently that while he doesn't believe that Duke would have recruited him back in the day, he believes that Duke would indeed recruit his kids.   Hmm.......

[nessalynn77]

While Jalen may have a point, all of his disparaging comments should've been directed solely toward Duke and not toward the minorities that played there.  That was a cheap shot.  But like you said, maybe he was just speaking on what he truly felt.  I've always hated the link between successful black families and "Uncle Tom".  All successful black families are not trying to pander to the majority to be accepted.  Some just are who they are.  I think we would go further as a culture, if we embrace our diversity, and stop ostracizing black people who don't come from the mainstream black experience. 

[chevonee]

While Jalen may have a point, all of his disparaging comments should've been directed solely toward Duke and not toward the minorities that played there.  That was a cheap shot.  But like you said, maybe he was just speaking on what he truly felt.  I've always hated the link between successful black families and "Uncle Tom".  All successful black families are not trying to pander to the majority to be accepted.  Some just are who they are. I think we would go further as a culture, if we embrace our diversity, and stop ostracizing black people who don't come from the mainstream black experience.

This.

[chevonee]

They are re-airing the show tonight and guess what? Duke is playing Michigan as we speak...Talking about irony.

[favoritepsalm1]

They are re-airing the show tonight and guess what? Duke is playing Michigan as we speak...Talking about irony.

Sweet!  I missed the first half of it.