ESPN Highlights Players' Differences

With the European expansion inside the NBA, one can only hope that the league does everything it can to accomodate the players and never to highlight their differences. Whatever strides can be made--translators, psychologists, bringing aboard teammates of the same or similar nationality, buying ethnic foods--to help the players feel at home will help them, and the league, for years to come.

However, I was appalled to find the following caption inside a recent NBA game recap:

"Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, goes up for a shot over Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace (36) during the second half Saturday..."

I think that if the site wants to institute the policy to always name the players' country of origin, then it should be a unilateral decision. Therefore, the caption should be revised to read "Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzi (41), of Germeny, goes up for a shot over Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace (36), of Philadelphia, during the second half Saturday..."

Oh, and also AP Photographer Matt Slocum, of Dallas.

Dan