December 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Karl's next trick
George Karl will have his hands full. Once Melo returns it will be tricky to keep two big scorers happy. It's going to be interesting to watch.
Just as I thought, I got quite a lot of feedback on the blog about my earlier Iverson cartoon (Poison Iverson). I have to admit it always bothers me and at the same time baffles me when people call me a racist for doing a sports cartoon about an athlete who happens to be African-American. Just because I happen to take a viewpoint that is different than the mainstream does not make me a racist. In this case I simply stated that perhaps Iverson won't be the perfect fit here in Denver because of his documented past of being difficult to deal with, both from coaches who have coached him and players who have played with him. He has the reputation of being a selfish player who is not always a great teammate. That is the point I was making. Nothing more and nothing less. I believe the body of work I have done during my 24 years as a sports editorial cartoonist here at the Rocky speaks for itself in regard to racial issues. I have done numerous cartoons on athletes such as the late Buck O'Neil and Arthur Ashe that support my stance on racial injustice. I'm a huge fan of the late Martin Luther King and Howard Thurman, both advocates of the civil rights movement.
I am an editorial cartoonist. An editorial cartoon is one that states an opinion, sometimes one that is not always popular. I'm not trying to be funny day in and day out. Sometimes the cartoons are poignant, other times stinging. It is the nature of the beast. I'm thankful to live and work in a country where various opinions can be heard, or in my case, drawn in total freedom. Freedom is an idea, I believe, that Martin Luther King lived his very life for.
Drew
December 23, 2006
1:20 AM
Jacob writes:
I don't believe that you are racist drew, but arnie most definately is. Arnie, i feel sad for you. You come up with some of the most racially stereotypical crap I've ever heard. You are a sad, pathetic soul.
December 23, 2006
6:30 AM
Zman writes:
Arinie likes to instigate (although crudely effective) with this blog... Once and a while, he pulls out a jem but he does make it hard sometimes to see the mental side of him...
Merry Christmas to all!
December 23, 2006
8:07 AM
kd writes:
Thanks, Drew.
George Karl probably does have his work cut out for him. Hopefully the common goal of the Nuggets winning a championship (it's hard to even contemplate, really) will be bigger than either Carmelo's or Iverson's egos. Also, Carmelo's going to have to adjust a bit when he returns. It'll be like he's coming onto Iverson's court since A.I. arrived during Carmelo's suspension instead of vice-versa.
It's too bad you had to explain yourself today. The majority of us know what you and your cartoon drawing are about (I've been looking forward to them for the entire 24 years). Sadly, some out there still have to resort to name calling, foul language and bad-mouthing when someone doesn't hold the same opinion as theirs.
As for "Arnie", I could do without most of his posts; their acidity and acerbic nature usually detract from the point he's trying to make.
Keep it up, Drew.
December 23, 2006
8:58 AM
Myk writes:
This will be a chance to see how good Karl actually is. At this level, coaching is more about managing egos than Xs and Os, and this includes the Coach Karl managing his own. It will be a neat trick and if Karl can pull it off, it will be magic.
December 23, 2006
10:06 AM
Tom writes:
My take....
I think this is going to be a disaster. It will work for a few games....Iverson and Anthony will put on the face of teamates who want to share the ball. However.......there is a problem. They both are used to being the star. You think Iverson is going to pass the ball to Anthony with a few ticks left on the clock and the Nuggets down by 2? And does anyone really believe that Anthony would dare give up the ball to Iverson in the same situation.
Camby said it. "There aren't enough shots to go around."
What about J.R. Smith?
What about Nene needed to legitimize his HUGE contract?
What about Camby wanting to get in on the action?
What happens if/when Kenyon Martin comes back next season?
This is a bomb waiting to go off. There are far too many egos on this team for it to succeed. This is not the Celtics team of the 80's that included unselfish star players like Larry Bird or Kevin McHale. This is a bunch of overpaid egomaniacs.
December 24, 2006
7:37 AM
Dwayne writes:
I actually think this will work. AI's 31, and his chances at a championship are running out. He has never really had the second big name player in Philly, and Melo hasn't had the same thing here.
Besides with the way the Nuggets offense works, there's enough scoring for both to be happy. And both are on board for whatever helps the team win. Granted defense will be lacking.
And Arnie...why are they wannabe ganstas...because they have cornrows...and tattoos....last I checked there was no law against how a person looked.
December 24, 2006
8:09 AM
Dale writes:
I know this cartoon is about Karl and Iverson but I'd like to make a statement about Boykins. the news paper was all over how great Iverson was in his first game as a Nug. and scoring all those points in a losing cause. The point leader in that game was Boykins. During the rest period of the bad boys, Boykins has been point leader more than once. How about his attitude? The only reaction he gives on a questional call, etc. is that amusing look he has, and then he gets back to playing team ball. He's the real deal.
December 24, 2006
10:22 AM
Tom writes:
Boykins is a nice guy and all....but he wouldn't make most NBA team rosters. He's only here because the Nuggets...umm...run.
He can't defend a shot to save his life. He can steal a pass here and there....but he basically hucks up shots. He's really quite selfish. Just my 2 pennies.
December 24, 2006
10:47 AM
Bill writes:
Merry Christmas Drew!
December 25, 2006
12:12 AM
Justin Adams writes:
Arnie,
As an educated Black Man that is attending the prestigious University of Colorado @ Boulder, I shake my head in disgust that you have to describe my people as “thugs” and such because of tattoos and a unique hair style. Just because some of the athletes that you see on television do not speak the “King’s English” perfectly does not make them “thugs.” And I am more offended that you believe that a television show can perfectly describe to you a culture of unique and beautiful individuals. Arnie, I ask that you go into the thesaurus to expand your vocabulary before you type another message. Also, please grow up! There are better things to talk about than calling a race of people that you obviously do not know too well as “thugs.” Have you ever sat down with a Black Man that is helping out his community? Do you know of any Black Men that are doing something positive with their lives because if you don’t then you are talking to one right now.
To Drew, your comics are too funny to call them racist and it is a pleasure looking at them. I actually can’t wait to see what new things that you come up with everyday. I ask that you give A.I. and the Nuggets a chance to make this work. A.I. is saying all the right things as of right now and I really think that this may just work out for the best interest for the team. Who knows, maybe the Nuggets will get out the first round this year!
To everyone else who happened to read this little comment, Marry Christmas and may God Bless you with a wonderful New Year!! Go (ALL DENVER SPORTS TEAMS!!)