Kevin Love Receives ‘The White Guy’ Award From NBA GM Survey; Racism Works Both Ways In Basketball
The NBA GM (General Manager) is known as the guy who calls the shots when it comes to player movement. Thus, they can be the most powerful and influential people in the league.
For NBA teams who don’t have active owners, the reins are completely with the GM. (One exception would be Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks. He always attends the games and takes a hands-on approach to decision making). Thus, their opinions would matter a lot in shaping the league.
The annual NBA GM survey is a set of questions addressed to the 30 top team executives in the league. They have questions about which player is the best at their position. They also have questions about team predictions, with the Miami Heat overwhelmingly poised to repeat as champions with 75%.
The survey also has “miscellaneous” questions. One of those questions has sparked quite a controversy. The question ‘Which player makes the most out of his limited natural ability?’ or what they jokingly call “The White Guy Award.”
For the second year in a row, Kevin Love has won the award. Love is acknowledged as the league’s best power forward, which the GMs awarded to Tim Duncan (who should be classified as a center). Kevin Love tweets (sarcastically) about his achievement.
It's the "White Guy" award!! @APkrawczynski: Another from NBA GM survey: @kevinlove is player who makes most of 'limited natural ability.'
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) October 22, 2013
And he also receives humorous and sarcastic responses, all connecting to racism.
@kevinlove @APkrawczynski Congrats. I know you've worked really hard on being white. — Myles Brown (@mdotbrown) October 22, 2013
@kevinlove @bruce_arthur @APkrawczynski Good to see you using your supernatural ability to excel at basketball, Kevin. Magic!
— Boo!-Ter Chicken (@MrButterChicken) October 22, 2013
The award has often been associated as ‘the White Guy’ Award since most of its winners and candidates are white. This year, he beat out Marc Gasol and Matt Bonner, both are also white. It coincides with the stereotype that “White Men Can’t Jump”—which was highlighted in a movie about street basketball in 1990 starring Woody Harrelson. On a separate thread, former NBA Player and also a former GM Steve Kerr, a white shooter who won titles with Michael Jordan also responded with tweets
“@kevinlove: GM survey: Love is player who makes most of 'limited natural ability.'” Other than being 6-10, insanely strong w/velvet touch? — Steve Kerr (@SteveKerrTNT) October 22, 2013
@kevinlove It's a disease that we will face for a lifetime. There is no cure!
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerrTNT) October 22, 2013