Basketball Players Not Beyond Compare

Adam Morrison has the game of Pete Maravich and Kevin McHale. J.J. Redick may be the next John Stockton. Or was that supposed to be Steve Nash? Dirk Nowitzki plays like Larry Bird. Am I the only one annoyed by the sporting press’ constant need to compare a white player to other white players?

This doesn’t apply just to white commentators or reporters either, but to people like Stephen A. Smith of ESPN and Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith of TNT. Even Magic Johnson gets in on the act. It’s OK to compare a white player to a black player, and vice versa. We’re the same species, for crying out loud! It’s not cats and dogs here, people.

JONATHAN STEWART

Newbury Park