It was late Friday evening when Chicago Bull and former Florida Gator superstar, Joakim Noah was (pa)trolling the streets of Gainesville where he once reigned supreme. At about 1:50 am, a local police officer spotted Noah (hard to miss a seven-footer with a long, flowing mane) carrying a cup which he suspected contained an alcoholic beverage. For those of you unfamiliar with Gainesville, Florida, walking around with an open container is at best discouraged and at the very worst illegal.
After being spotted, Noah ditched the cup, but was later questioned by the police. After finding that the cup did contain alcohol, they took a cooperative Noah to the local annex and found a marijuana cigarette in his possession.
Now, this shouldn’t come as a major surprise to anyone. In fact, I’m actually surprised Noah was never busted for smoking pot while at Florida. Either Billy Donovan ruled with an iron fist, or Noah was shrewd enough to never get caught. Probably somewhere in between.
Look, I’m not going to come down hard on the guy. Noah was a cult icon of near Tebow-like status while playing for the Gators. He, along with his supporting cast, took Florida to the promised land, a feat that will likely never be repeated.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I took drugs while at Florida and was never suspended from anything so it would be hypocritical of me to throw stones. However, walking around downtown Gainesville with an open container and a joint, particularly when you’re a high profile and highly noticeable individual like Noah is just poor judgment.
Fortunately for Noah, he was not arrested and released on his own recognizance after being cooperative. Stern’s NBA does not test for marijuana and it is unclear whether the Bulls organization will slap Noah on the wrist for his actions. Heck, they don’t even have a head coach yet. Considering the amount of NBA players that allegedly smoke weed, it’s unlikely Noah will receive much more than a good ribbing from his teammates.
I suppose it could have been much worse for Noah had the police decided to force the issue. I don’t see this as a case of a hometown hero receiving beneficial treatment from the law. Noah will have to return to appear in front of a judge in June.
But come on, Jo Jo. Young millionaire athletes like Vince Young and Matt Leinhart are currently being blasted for their lack of judgment. I don’t have a problem with your drinking, smoking or trolling your hometown and using your fame and name to find some action. Just do so wisely. Leave the spleef at home and the booze at the bar. Or better yet, next time, order in.
I couldn't agree with you more. Noah, you're a millionaire with a nice home somewhere. Go home and blaze son! Why is this knucklehead walking around with weed on him. He needs to watch SNL's plea to Michael Vick. Really? You don't have a weed man Noah? Really?
Rev, for those of you that don't know th history of Florida Athletes, this is ver mild when you consider going back to the Norm Sloan era in Basketball or the Charlie Pell era in Football. I'm sure this will be a lesson learned by the home town hero Noah.
He's still learning how to be a superstar, but Noah just needs to have pepole around him when he's out having a good time that looks out for five o. I wonder who the #### cop was that wanted to make a name. Typical small town %*it. Good blog Rev, peace from Brotha E...
rev....lol! Not shocking at all! Hey, he can smoke the blunt at home! Geesh....lucky for him it's a minor thing. If he were in Cali, it would be a $50 ticket. Go Celtics!
And to think people always say "It's a free country".
Amazing how Prohibition of alcohol didn't work and was repealed, but here we are, in many cases letting violent offenders out of prison to make room for drug offenders.
Reverend Rhythm
The proverbial apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Joakim like his father Yannick was somewhat of a pothead himself. But I'd really like to hear what Noah himself'll be makingin terms of an apology.
As and when you're ready I've two new posts up. They're titled Bill Belichick Is In The Employ Of The NSA ! Poignancy And The Relevance of Memorial Day It Begins To Hit Home Hard ! As and when you're ready I'll forward to reading your comments.
rampant' aka tophatal ...........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 25th at 4:51 PM.
He'll get over it, move on, and have a huge season for the Bulls next year.
We, as well as the commish, all know that more than 50% of NBA players like to get stoned in the offseason.
At least they don't juice up to get an edge.
The NBA is the purest professional sports league in America as far as talent and performance is concerned so pot smokin' ballers are no biggie.
Because of the steroids scandal in baseball and because they consistently use steroids and have criminals in the NFL, I have way more respect for the NBA in terms of gamesmanship than any other major North American sport.
The NBA gets ratings because players compete.
The MLB gets ratings as a result of players cheating in order to be better than they are so they can break individual records.
The NFL gets viewers because players get arrested, shot, killed, and go to court and players cheat in order to get bigger and stronger so they can perform better (and society digs this for some reason). To make matters worse, you've also got entire coaching staffs who feel the need to cheat in order to get an edge.
What a disgrace and if this is the example that football sends to society, then we are heading into a black hole. After all, it's been known for a very long time that the sport of football has become a microcosm for today's society more than any other sport.
On a much brighter note, the LAKERS' ASSAULT continues...
Hoffman,
Why are you pretty sure? It's not some federal law that you have to test for it. To this day I can't figure out why he stuff isn't legal. I mean geez cigarettes kill more people a year than drunk drivers and A.I.D.S. put together but is still legal. Marijuana hasn't killed anyone and if it did it's so rare we never hear about it.
Rev.
He must be an amature smoker. I mean damn you either eat it or drop it then stomp and smush it up till it's nothing. They have to have the evidence. Also you other states need to get with the program and let people walk the streets drinking like us here ####-#### in New Orleans.
Just so I'm caught up here, Mary jane is illegal in Floria. WTF was he doing carrying around a joint like you said, being a seven footer with a mane. It's like this guy is stupid. If I missed this or not, he was a huge target for police.
I daddled in Germany, hash and a trip to Holland got you the freshest dope from every country. I loved it. One day I woke up and said why do I do this to myself. I quit rather easy) and never looked back. My forte was concerts and so I got stoned during those times.
It's illegal for a reason. It does destroy so much of ourselves we trigk ourselves with worthless, wrong reasons why it should be legalized. All the excuses about never fighting or just being mellow don't cut it to me. I call it a dream killer. Stay on it long enough and you watch the world go by. Without it you actually join the human race and making something of yourself with a clear mind may sound boring, but it's smart and legal.
Last edited by Marty Walker on May 26th at 7:43 AM.
cont...... - I think that top notch players aren't real big drug addicts but Noah and the rest should get something. It's illegal. Those wanting to make it legal just ####'s me off. I'm just talking to my friends here. Don't smell the flower, it's an evil drug to make you lose your mind.
Sorry for the rant. I've lost too many friends and family members to even marijuana. Grow up. Life is great, and you can remember it.
Last edited by Marty Walker on May 26th at 7:37 AM.
Are you sure about that? Amongst us hoop junkies, I think one of the many of us here needs to research that policy. It was my understanding that it was a stipulation from the players union that the league NOT test for the drug. At least a few years back.
Either way, if they do test for it, you can be certain the players know when it's coming.
Reverend Rhythm
Had Noah been caught in bed with two chicks and some blo' we wouldn't be talking 'bout this all that much. If anything we'd be commending the bast*ard. We oughtn't be surprised by any of this at all.
Hey commish how 'bout after this is all over we go and get some blo' and a couple of chicks ? .....Young man I don't do blo' but if you get the chicks I'll be there. I needs me some 'pootie tang'. And the younger the better !
Dumb move by Noah...he's no stranger to that, just look at his bow tie at the draft...
Good point worst, LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!
Ease the jail population, save room for the violent offenders. Tax it, eliminate the organized crime element.
Alcohol causes people to get loud, fight, vomit and pass out.
Weed causes giggling fits, munchies and everyone to get along...
which is worse?
Hemp could produce enough paper to eliminate the need for paper made from trees...and no more nylon rope. No chemicals, or environmental pollution...100% natural.
The anti-hemp laws are archaic and un-necessary.
Just put the same laws as alchohol on it.
Seems pretty logical to me.
Rev, next time Noah's in town, please have him give you a call to explain how to party UF style all night long without any hassle's. Trust me, we've done it many times over. Brotha E, I am out.
Reverend Rhythm
Joakim's father Yannick Noah the former professional tennis player feels that it's much ado 'bout nothing . But he ought to remember that in the US we're not so lenient as to what's considered OK or condoned in some part of Europe. There again he should know as he's smoked enough blo' to last at least two lifetimes.
I an' I love I weed .....Selassie I rastafari I .....Lion a King a' Judah !
When Joakim understands these few words perhaps then he can take up the sacred bud of life . Now he's placed himself within the sights of not only the Bulls but also the NBA hierarchy. They're bound to test him now all too frequently.
What a dumba*ss this guy is !
rampant' aka tophatal .....
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 28th at 1:45 PM.
Reverend Rhythm
An error in judgement ? More like wantoned stupidity on his part ! I don't care if he's feted like a deity up there in Gainesville. He's now put himself in an embarrassing position primarily for the Bulls' organization. Say nothing of which they'll now probably be drug testing his #### more often than not.
An error in judgement is when you mistakenly pick up something that doesn't belong to you. Or you forget to carry out an errand for a friend after being told how important it is. Not walking around with an alcoholic beverage in plain sight out in the streets in the early hours of the morning. When you've also got some weed in your pocket isn't a case of an error in judgement. Less we forget he's a grown man and not a damn child .
We all tend to make mistakes but not ones like this. That's unless we're under the influence.
rampant' aka tophatal ............
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 28th at 2:20 PM.
Reverend Rhythm
See my post on Willie Randolph titled It's A Long Season But Wille Randolph Must Be Wishing That He'd Stayed At Home !
Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
BleedP & G- Legalize Marijuana? I understand the idea, but it does ruin the mind. I have no facts in front of me. On the contrary, it has many wonderful medical uses and for that reason alone it should be legalized. But substituting one for the is wrong.
Marty Walker
There are advantages and disadvantages to its use and how it is used.
If it's abused then it becomes dagerous bu if used responsibly then it can certainly help in assisting with certain medical ailments.
............
Reverend Rhythm
Whist we have a government that's not always open to the medical forefront and the ever changing face of medicine. Then it'll never be legalized. And that's what's wrong with the government here in the US. It's so damn myopic on so many things that it doesn't know it's #### from it's friggin' elbow !
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
