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NEOMG

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
You all need to slow your roll on Chris Haynes...

Dion Waiters made direct quotes that were quoted. Just because Dion spoke like a moron when he was probably being short doesn't mean he can decide that it didn't happen and hope people listen to him after the fact...

Dion, in fact, is committing libel against Chris Haynes... Quite frankly, it's bullshit that people in here are taking Dion's side because they like and know Dion more...

I don't like NEOMG as much as you all, but it's not because Chris Haynes wrote something Dion wishes he hadn't said.

It's Haynes job to get the story right and get clarification before he writes a story. I am not taking anyone's side. CH wrote a poor story and that is a fact. Which is why he had to write a second story correcting the first.
 
What I resent are reporters who rush to tweet or report on things just to get hits--and then are found out to be wrong.

What I also don't like are reporters who will report things that will no doubt elicit a negative reaction solely about some players, but not others.

I also want some harder hitting news and analysis--not TNZ stuff. Like the Cavs, we'll give him some time, but let's see how Haynes plays out by January.

So far, I am unimpressed. I believe to date his stories and tweets appear to be mostly fluff.
 
It's Haynes job to get the story right and get clarification before he writes a story. I am not taking anyone's side. CH wrote a poor story and that is a fact. Which is why he had to write a second story correcting the first.

That's not a fact, that's your opinion. Skipping a national anthem is out of the ordinary for NBA players, Haynes simply asked Dion why he wasn't present. Dion responded it was for religious reasons, which then led Haynes to ask if Dion would "continue this pre-game ritual the remainder of the season." Dion said he would, and the story was born.

The second story meant to clarify what Haynes meant with the pre-game ritual comment, it's not an admission of guilt from Haynes like you're treating it.

"When I asked if he planned to continue his pregame ritual, I meant did he plan on skipping the national anthem from here on out. He said he was under the impression that I was asking if he would continue his prayer and meditation before games."

I tend to side with the reporter on this one, he was obviously curious about Dion missing future national anthems- something I can't ever remember Dion doing regularly.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/11/claveland_cavaliers_guard_dion.html
 
Couple of my buddys smoked with Haynes in the past :detective: . It's well know he is a middle man for many of the players.
 
My friend pointed something out - maybe someone with a better understanding of the Muslim faith could clarify. Is it possible he simply skipped that particular national anthem due to evening prayer? He only offered a quote stating why he missed that specific national anthem, never did he state he would skip them ALL due to his religious beliefs.

Maybe? I'd think his reason could be that the time conflicted with evening prayers; but, even then, it only takes a few minutes - so I wouldn't buy that excuse.

The other, more relevant issue, would be with the anthem itself. It is idolatry and violates Sharia and the First Commandment. Thus, to many Muslims, observing the national anthem is not only idolatry, but sinful and blasphemous.

Aaand... the most relevant issue is that this all came out when Dion got benched. I think one of two things is true:

1) Dion Waiters said "leave me be, I'm praying..." and then retrofitted Islam to fit that narrative so that he could pout without looking like a crybaby.

2) Dion Waiters said "leave me be, I'm praying..." and really was; but was only doing so to find peace and balance -- to meditate, so that he could deal with adversity.

Now, a pseudo-journalist could have taken this story and ran with it. "Oh? So he says he missed the national anthem due to praying? Well, by extension that means he'll miss the national anthem going forward due to his religion," and it's this latter statement that I think is an invention of the media.

I doubt Waiters had an opportunity to convey that type of thought clearly to a reporter prior to the game.

Lastly, what I really hope is that Waiters is not, only now, embracing his Islamic faith simply due to his frustration with his Israeli coach's decision to bench him. Not putting that on him at all, but I've seen that reaction happen more than once in my experience.
 
Maybe? I'd think his reason could be that the time conflicted with evening prayers; but, even then, it only takes a few minutes - so I wouldn't buy that excuse.

The other, more relevant issue, would be with the anthem itself. It is idolatry and violates Sharia and the First Commandment. Thus, to many Muslims, observing the national anthem is not only idolatry, but sinful and blasphemous.

Aaand... the most relevant issue is that this all came out when Dion got benched. I think one of two things is true:

1) Dion Waiters said "leave me be, I'm praying..." and then retrofitted Islam to fit that narrative so that he could pout without looking like a crybaby.

2) Dion Waiters said "leave me be, I'm praying..." and really was; but was only doing so to find peace and balance -- to meditate, so that he could deal with adversity.

Now, a pseudo-journalist could have taken this story and ran with it. "Oh? So he says he missed the national anthem due to praying? Well, by extension that means he'll miss the national anthem going forward due to his religion," and it's this latter statement that I think is an invention of the media.

I doubt Waiters had an opportunity to convey that type of thought clearly to a reporter prior to the game.

Lastly, what I really hope is that Waiters is not, only now, embracing his Islamic faith simply due to his frustration with his Israeli coach's decision to bench him. Not putting that on him at all, but I've seen that reaction happen more than once in my experience.


Oh give me a fucking break here. Some of you are dying to make this bigger than it is just to justify your reasoning to not like someone beyond baskteball reasons.

I'm really starting to question this message board now. Are some of you low-key Islam-haters or islamopobic?

I understand there's a huge support for Israel here, and that's probably where it rubs off from - but to be this nitpicking on a subject that should've already been closed when D Waiters clarified it- shows how much people really want to make a featherweight of a problem to a HUGE one.

Really starting to not like this website or message board. Getting really fucking disgusting when people want point out a certain religion to be the reason why someone "hates" America, when that's not even the case.

Worst than a fucking Pro-Romney rally group.
 
Here ya go...

Question: Do you feel you’re settling into that sixth man role?

Waiters: I”ve got to. I have to do whatever it takes for the team. I’m fine with it. I’ve been through it before my first two years so I can adjust to it easily.

Question: You always seem to wind up in that spot.

Waiters: It happens. That’s life.

Question: Do you want to explain what has happened the last 48 hours or so?

Waiters: It was a big miscommunication part, misunderstanding. Like I said, I love my country, I love the United States of America. I’d rather be here than anyplace else. It was a big misunderstanding on both parts.

Question: Why didn’t you make it out for the anthem Wednesday night?

Waiters: I went in the back for my normal routine, what I normally do. It just happened to take longer than what I expected. I missed the one time and this happened. I’m not worrying about it. It was just a big miscommunication.

Question: You’re saying your routine took longer and that’s fine, but you invoked religion the other night.

Waiters: No, I didn’t.

Question: You never brought up religion in a quote?

Waiters: No.

Question: Never mentioned anything about being Muslim?

Waiters: I said that in the summertime. Nobody knew what I was. I didn’t have to explain that. What happened like I said was a big miscommunication on both ends. It had nothing to do with the national anthem. I’m out there every time for the national anthem, so I missed it one time and people make this big thing out of it. Like I said, I love my country, I love the United States of America and that’s that.

Question: Dion, I asked you after the game on Friday what happened on Wednesday and you said you don’t want to talk about it because it’s your religion.

Waiters: There’s nothing to talk about. I missed it the one time because I went back and did what I normally do and it just took longer.

Question: But in your explanation you said, “It’s my religion.” You said it.

Waiters: I knew what you were getting into. I don’t have to talk about that. I talk about basketball, not talk about me. Focus on the team. We had a big team win and that’s what it should’ve been about. It shouldn’t have been about me or what I believe in. At the end of the day, like I said, I’m always out there for the national anthem. I missed it one time. I think the story got blown out of proportion. I’m just here to let you all know and let the world know I love my country and everything that goes to it.

Question: That message will get out. But the whole reason we’re discussing this is because we feel like you’re the one who brought religion into it.

Waiters: That’s on y’all then. That’s what y’all think. I can’t change what you think. I’m just here to voice my opinion and tell y’all what really happened and it had nothing to do with my religious beliefs at all.

Question: So we’re clear, what is your routine? What do you normally do?

Waiters: If you’re at the game, and you always see around the 5-7 minute mark (on the pregame clock) I always go in the back. Always. Every game for the last three years. Nothing changed. So if y’all want to look close into that I’m fine with that. I do it every game. Every game. We come out as a team, we shoot, we do what we do, we go through our little routine and I always go back in. Just so happened that one time I missed it.

Question: How sore were you yesterday (after taking bad fall Friday night)?

Waiters: I was very sore. My son was mad I couldn’t play with him yesterday. I tried to get a lot of rest, came in for treatment, things like that. It just hurts. It’s uncomfortable. You can’t sit the way you want to sit, sleep the way you want to sleep. I’ll be fine though.

Question: Did the football background help you on the fall?

Waiters: A little bit. I was actually nervous up there. I was kind of high, so I knew I was going to hurt something or fracture something. Luckily I drink a lot of milk so my bones are fine. I’m a thick guy.

Question: You were basically parallel to the ground.

Waiters: That was probably the first time I’d been scared in awhile. I’m normally not scared of a lot of things. I don’t like those types of falls.

Question: Has Darrell (Arthur) reached out to you?

Waiters: I haven’t talked to him. Like I said, I didn’t want him to get suspended. It just so happened he did. Things happen, man. I don’t have no problem with him, never had a problem with him and I wish him the best of luck the rest of the year.

Question: Have you seen the video of it?

Waiters: Yeah I watched it. My little sister sent it to me.

Question: What’d you think?

Waiters: She was more mad than I was. It was fine though.

Question: Was it a difficult 24 hours for you dealing with the extra attention?

Waiters: It wasn’t that bad, actually. I had a couple guys, couple phone calls, things like that. I didn’t know what was going on. We just got in at 6:30 in the morning. When I woke up, that’s when I got a couple calls and things like that. I don’t be on Twitter no more. I actually deleted the app a couple weeks ago.

Question: You were on Twitter yesterday morning.

Waiters: Yeah, I had to address that. I had to make sure I addressed that, then I deleted the app again.

Question: I’m sorry but I want to be perfectly clear: You never brought up religion the other night? Friday night? You’re saying you never brought it up.

Waiters: I don’t know. I ain’t sure. If I did, I did. But it had nothing to do with the national anthem. Whatever the case may be.

Question: Were you upset when you were told you were going to the sixth man role?

Waiters: Nah, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I was actually thinking about it myself, is it better for the team? I went to Coach and told him it might just be better for me to come off the bench, by myself. At the end of the day I’m still growing, still learning, especially with this team, this offense and the time we’ve had. And being the player I am, you need the ball. So I thought about it and it made a lot of sense just for me to come off the bench and do what I do. That’s why it was smooth sailing for me just to come off the bench and bring that spark. And we won that game. I can’t be mad at nothing.

Question: Feel more comfortable in that role?

Waiters: I can definitely be more aggressive coming in doing a lot of things differently that I haven’t done with the first unit. You might not get as many touches with the first unit as you do with the second unit, so you’re able to come in there and play your game, bring that spark, bring that energy that you need to bring. Just make sure you stay consistent. So I know my role now and I know that’s what the team needs, it’s best for the team and we’re just trying to win as many games as we can.

Question: When did you tell David you wanted to come off the bench?

Waiters: I believe after the Chicago game, I think. Yeah, I talked to him and he was saying, “it’s still early” and things like that. And I’m like, ‘It just may be best for me to come off the bench.’ It worked.

Question: David talks about a sixth starter. Do you look at it like that?

Waiters: To me it really don’t matter who starts, but who finishes the game. As long as I’ve got a chance to get my team a victory by me coming off the bench and by me finishing the game knowing I can buckle down and play defense, it will give us a chance to win.

Question: When you disappear between 5 and 7 minutes left until the (pregame) horn, what are you doing? Are you stretching? Are you praying?

Waiters: I’m not praying. I’m just going through my routine.

Question: So it’s not religious at all?

Waiters: Nah. Nothing to do with religion when I go back there. At all.
 
Why can't people just leave this guy alone?

Does he do some stupid shit sometimes? Yeah, but he's only 22 and nothing he's done has ever really been a problem. He's learning and maturing just like the rest of us.

All he wants to do is win. Whether he starts or not is irrelevant to him. He just wants to win. I don't see what's so hard to support about that.
 
How dare the interviewer try to explain what Dion said to Dion. Muslim hater :chuckle:
 
Did Hamed Haddadi skip national anthems? Come on. Some of you are acting like you've never met a Muslim person with your comments. I've never seen someone skip out on a national anthem.
 
And kudos to Lloyd for posting a full transcript of the interview. He's the best we've got.
 
Wait, what the fuck? :eek::eek::eek:

Oh give me a fucking break here. Some of you are dying to make this bigger than it is just to justify your reasoning to not like someone beyond baskteball reasons.

You saying that I don't like Dion Waiters? I think Dion is awesome, he's my second favorite player on the team behind Irving. Hell, I think I'm one of his biggest supporters on RCF.

I'm really starting to question this message board now. Are some of you low-key Islam-haters or islamopobic?

:chuckle:

Bismillah... Never thought I'd be called an Islam-hater or Islamophobic.. first time for everything though.

I understand there's a huge support for Israel here, and that's probably where it rubs off from - but to be this nitpicking on a subject that should've already been closed when D Waiters clarified it- shows how much people really want to make a featherweight of a problem to a HUGE one.

Cause you know I love me some Israel! :rolleyes:

Really starting to not like this website or message board. Getting really fucking disgusting when people want point out a certain religion to be the reason why someone "hates" America, when that's not even the case.

Worst than a fucking Pro-Romney rally group.

I can't believe you thought I was the person, of all people, to be accused of being a right-wing Islamophobe. :chuckle:

Considering I'm a left-wing Democratic Activist Arab-American, I think you should re-evaluate your perceptions of racism.
 
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