Sixers

Today Mike Sielski Equated Allen Iverson Skipping a Big 3 Game To Pete Rose

By Kyle Scott

Published: Aug 4th, 2017 · 9:38 AM EDT

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This is gross.

Before we get into it, let me say that I understand what Sielski was trying to do here – AI and Rose are yet but two more examples of former beloved stars who are, in varying degrees of the word, assholes – but the comparisons stop there. Allen Iverson being an unaccountable fuck-off is about as similar to Rose being a potential statutory rapist as a leaky faucet is to a full-scale flood on the list of home ownership worries. They are not in the same league. And yet, because this is Philly, one jackass’ idiocy is somehow comparable to Rose being a slime ball.

Behold, needless equivalency:

There was nothing surprising about Rose’s behavior that day, just as there was nothing surprising about the allegation, exposed Monday, that Rose had a sexual relationship in the 1970s with an underage female, just as there was nothing surprising about Allen Iverson’s recent blow-off of a Big 3 basketball game at the Wells Fargo Center. In fact, on the same day that the Phillies announced that they would not induct Rose into their Wall of Fame on Aug. 12, the Big 3 announced that it was suspending Iverson after he no-showed another game. These sorts of stories arise, like canker sores, often in sports, and they sting to varying degrees, depending on the principals and their actions. The concept that links them is dishonor. The famous athlete or celebrity breaks a promise. He commits a sordid act. He reveals or reaffirms that he is something more than merely flawed, or maybe something less.

There’s a discussion to be had about athletes as role models and them disappointing us. It seems to happen a lot around here. But lumping AI blowing off a BS game with the accusations against Rose is about as lazy as it gets. Like, someone just likes to hear themselves write lazy. Even when pressed on the stupidity of the comparision, Sielski justified it:

I explained why they are NOTHING alike… and then I went ahead and lumped them together anyway. Do better, Philly.

UPDATE: Somehow this might be worse:

Yes, our escape is the real issue in Pete Rose potentially sleeping with someone under 16.

H/T to (@IAmGrumm)