Saturday night during a Big 12 game between Oklahoma St and Texas Tech a little altercation happened. With 6.2 seconds left Marcus Smart was running down Jaye Crockett to try to deny a basket when Smart fell into the crowd. While he was in the crowd reports say that the fan (Jeff Orr) either called him “piece of crap”*shit* or the “N-Word”. Smart took a step back then came forward to shove Orr. Smart was ejected from the game and the Cowboys loss another Big 12 game.
Smart was suspended for 3 games soon as midnight hit it seemed and Orr voluntarily gave up his tickets for the rest of the season.
A lot of outlets have been talking about this situation, so I decided to get a few other writer’s/blogger’s to share their personal opinions concerning the situation. (Me= Jesse “J.T.” Smith, Ronnie “Ron Hamp” Hampston, Ace Feltman, Greg Smith and JR McHenry)
“I will not claim to know Marcus Smart personally because I don’t. But he is a local player and even with my senior high school just up the street, I only would go to games to see a player like him.
I’ve always admired his level headedness and maturity. Sure things get emotional on a level only competitors can understand and even then how can we compare to his particular moment?
As I tweeted out following the game, there is little doubt in my mind that the Texas Tech fan used the N word to Smart. Even with an intense moment as such, Marcus just isn’t the kind of guy to lose it like that.
I thought 3 games was way too severe and way too quick. Where’s the investigation – or any effort whatsoever – to figure out just what was said?
Players interacting with fans is like customers and employees. The customer/fan is always right.
Smart’s character is on full display as he immediately tried to fill in Coach Ford on the situation and he handled the suspension and the following press conference as best as you possibly could.
The fan even has a history, something rare for fans, and I’m disappointed he’s essentially getting away with an “I said something but it wasn’t that bad” explanation.” – Ace Feltman, Twitter @MFFeLtman, Check him out at Real Fans Sports Radio and The Smoking Cuban.
“You should never go in the stands as a player. But, if the fan uttered “The N-Word” by all means I understand why he would react the way he did. Not condoning what he did but it’s understandable.
Because we all know that saying “The N-Word” is a reason to go for an African-American.It also speaks to the fact that fans need to control themselves. Even with Ron Artest situation, the fan provoked that whole negative chain reaction. So fans need to handle themselves accordingly and so do players, so these horrible incidents won’t occur.The young man will learn from this and be better for it. It shouldn’t hurt his draft stock. He’s one if the most talented PGs in America. He should have come out last year rather than stayed in school. He could have went #1 overall in that weak 2013 draft class, rather than be subject to all of this scrutiny. A lesson learned for Marcus Smart.” – JR McHenry, Twitter @JRTheBossman, check him out at Bossman Show.“To me there are a few different interesting layers to this story. First, is what was actually said to Marcus Smart to set him off? I know the video put out by Texas Tech corroborates Jeff Orr’s claim that he called him a “piece of crap” but why is that the only audio you can hear clearly? That just didn’t feel right. Secondly, how much money does this Jeff Orr give to the university for them to be sticking up so much for a fan? Has that ever happened before because I feel like it hasn’t. Lastly, it’s sad that Tech stuck up for their fan more than Oklahoma State stuck up for their player. Smart was wrong for pushing Orr and I guess the three game suspension is fair but I understand Smart’s point of view. Sometimes fans need to be taught they can’t keep crossing the line and why didn’t any of the other adults that knew about Jeff Orr’s past behavior step in and correct it?” – Greg Smith, Twitter @GregSmithBSO, check him out at Black Sports Online.“If the fan said the “N-Word” then 3 games is too much. I know it isn’t right to put your hands on a fan, but the fans must be responsible also. Do you think Jeff Orr would’ve said whatever he said to Marcus Smart if they were walking down a street by their selves? I’ll answer that for you he would have and on the street Orr would’ve gotten punched in his mouth. Maybe another Artest and friends situation has to happen for fans to stay inside the boundaries?Ok. State gave Smart the suspension very fast, I think 1 or 2 games would’ve been enough, but the real travesty is the fan voluntarily gave up his tickets for the rest of the season. The season is almost over, so he will be able to come back freely starting the 2014-15 season? I think that’s the biggest joke. This isn’t the first time Orr has done something degrading to a student athlete.Smart has to keep his cool because people want to see him act out of character, but I totally understand why he reacted and knowing myself I can’t say I wouldn’t have behaved any differently.” – Jesse “J.T.” Smith, Twitter @TeezyT, Check me out at The Front Office News.“I believe that the Big 12 reacted too fast. I think that a three game suspension is steep for Marcus Smart. I believe that a one game suspension could have been fair. The Texas Tech Fan Jeff Orr has a history of negligent behavior at the basketball games so I thought that would be in favor of Smart. Orr gave a weak self-imposed penalty stating that he would not attend any games the rest of the season, but that’s not saying much since there are only two home games left during the season. I am also bothered that the Head Coach Texas Tech Tubby Smith, who’s an African-American didn’t say anything regarding Mr.Orr. I think it sucks to see grown men taunt the student-athletes to the magnitude that Jeff Orr did. Whether it’s in person or on Twitter it’s classless behavior from the fans. Smart has to realize that he has more on the line that a belligerent fan. On the outside looking in we will never know what was said, but we do know that the person that usually retaliates receives the brunt of the punishment. If a racial slur was said I am sure that I would have reacted in the same manner. I think it sucks that Orr gets to walk away unscathed. Who wants to watch Texas Tech basketball anyway, so he’s actually doing himself some good. At the end of the day the only person who received any type of penalty was Smart, and that’s garbage in my eyes.” – Ronnie “Ron Hamp” Hampston, Twitter @Ron_Hamp, Check him out at The Front Office News.
