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The Supreme Court of the National Basketball Association, Revisited

(This is a revision of a post which appeared here two years ago.)

Envision this as an educational device for judicial clerks who want to learn about the NBA and basketball players who want to learn about the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice John Roberts/Pat Riley

Ascended the ranks quickly. Flashy smile, used primarily to woo colleagues and the wives of subordinates. Secretly domineering and perhaps unethical in his overbearing nature. Probably a good poker player. Will not disappoint his mentors, though will backstab his proteges. Handsome, in a Lifetime Channel sort of way.

Justice Antonin Scalia/Larry Brown

Everything that's wrong with America. Has strong relationships with the leaders in his field, though most of those leaders secretly hate him. Vacations with people he probably shouldn't be vacationing with. Beloved by some, absolutely hated by others. The haters are usually those closest to him. Impossible not to have an opinion on him. Ability to tan unusually well.

Justice Samuel Alito/Jeff Van Gundy

When he broke onto the scene, it signified the end of the free world as we know it. Has success through very, very boring methods. Listening to him is a war of attrition. Can turn biggest adversaries' (Sen. Russ Feingold, Tracy McGrady) brains to mush. Doesn't want Americans to have a good time. Ever. Somewhat resembles a pedophile.

Justice Clarence Thomas/Nate McMillan

Should be liberal, just looking at the surface. African-American, former frenetic player or playa. Loves the ladies. But under it all, adheres strictly to the word of the law (except when it benefits them not to). Viciously attack sexual predators publicly, though they've both associated with sexual predators before (Nate McMillan:Shawn Kemp::Clarence Thomas:Clarence Thomas). Associated with a questionable former colleague with the surname "Hill."

Justice Stephen Breyer/Rick Adelman

West Coast bred, and has the laid-back attitude to prove it. Very pragmatic in his approach, emphasizing the system/law as the backbone of all possible solutions. Not afraid to take on a challenge. Sentiment of pure individual freedom overwrites all, though. Mostly invisible to the world at large.

Justice John Paul Stevens/George Karl

Highly idiosyncratic. Seems to exude traditional values, especially when it comes to the philosophy of the job. But secretly crazy. Carries a pen and a pad everywhere, just in case inspiration strikes and a verbose opinion/innovative playset zips through his mind. Adversaries threaten to exact revenge, whether through poisoning or fines. Also, likes to wear sweatsuits to work sometimes.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg/Phil Jackson

Crazy ass hippie. Religious minority in his/her profession. Former pothead. Reader of poetry, new age literature. Will do anything for some publicity. Quite homely.

Justice David Souter/Flip Saunders

Strong guardian of historical roots. Early adopter of eventually popular opinions/defensive schemes. Enjoys mountain-climbing in New Hampshire when not working. Noted for bringing freedom to the world after a particularly tyrannical stretch. Frequently mispronounced last name, despite its apparent simplicity. Daunting forehead.

Justice Anthony Kennedy/Gregg Popovich

Completely by-the-book. Never wild or crazy or even innovative. Constantly does things his way, also known as "the boring way." Sometimes met by scorn for looking to Europe for the answer. Typically successful, though highly anonymous. Partaker of copious amounts of wine.

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Good stuff
That's good stuff, and a huge amount of work to get just right.  And nice job resisting the urge to use the word "evil" in describing the first four.  

by Carl on Dec 13, 2007 8:58 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Evil?
"Evil."  Wow, deep thoughts, indeed, sir.  If by that you mean extremely high IQs and the ability to read the Constitution - and not invent ideas that were never contained within - then I guess you are correct: Those four are really, really "evil."  What's probably more important to note, besides of course their obvious malevolence, is that the first three are infinitely smarter than all their colleagues and that the rest - with exception of the "hippy" - possess pedestrian intellects.

Hey, Carl, when is the last time you actually read the Constitution?  I'm currently reading "American Creation" by Joseph Ellis.  (He's a historian. Received the Pulitzer.  No doubt you know him well.)  What books have you read lately associated to our founding and the documents and people associated to it?  If a person actually believes what the Constitution says does that constitute "evil?"  I've no doubt that you've thought long and hard about these ideas; so, please, enlighten me.  

TZ, you are usually pretty good at keeping clear of politics.  It's a very good policy

by Kusian on Dec 13, 2007 12:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

*Laughs*
Best of luck Carl.

<Walks slowly away from the thread.>

by otis29 on Dec 13, 2007 12:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

C'mon
It's a ha-ha. And it makes fun of all sides.

by Ziller on Dec 13, 2007 1:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sure it does...
And that's the problem with discussing religion and politics: what you see as even-handed, I see as clearly heavy-handed in one direction. Now, I've read you long enough and watched you referee enough disputes here to know that you are a very, very fair guy. However, just like the journalist who swears up and down that his/her politics doesn't affect their story writing, every one of us is suceptible to our own bias.

Hey, it's your blog - and a great one it is - so you get to write whatever you damn well please (and I'll be right here reading it.) I was just pointing out that politics is always a contentious and personal subject - even in a community as tight as ours. (Otis and I almost always agree on hoops but have had some pretty good rows regarding politics. Thus, his comment above ;)

by Kusian on Dec 13, 2007 1:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We may have to cut Carl a break here
Perhaps he was referring to Riley, Brown, Van Gundy and McMillan??  :)

by otis29 on Dec 13, 2007 1:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

totally missed it
I just got that, Otis.  That was pretty funny...and I totally f*cking missed it the first time. Yes, those guys ARE clearly evil.

by Kusian on Dec 13, 2007 4:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm just saying...
... if we can't make fun of certain folks because of their ideology or employer, what's the use of making fun of everyone?

This isn't going to turn into a political blog, obviously, but it doesn't mean I won't occasionally drop a political joke into my basketball jokes.

by Ziller on Dec 13, 2007 2:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

OK
fair enough

by Kusian on Dec 13, 2007 3:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

O/T F.P. Santangelo on Roid List
Sorry to hijack, but didn't want to create a diary for this and didn't see a linkdump so far today.

Anyone listening to the Rise Guys this morning? I have to assume they were discussing these items, and moreso, I'd have to assume that FP probably knew his name would be released today.

by otis29 on Dec 13, 2007 11:49 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
I didn't even think to search for F.P.'s name among the other private suspects. FWIW, he was not on the air this morning. I don't remember if Whitey said he was sick or not; in fact, I recall they just started talking about the Report (before Clemens' name had come out), and then mentioned F.P. wasn't there and that's why they weren't asking for his thoughts on a baseball matter.

by Ziller on Dec 13, 2007 12:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Souter's all wrong
David Souter is a dead ringer for an old Steve Nash.

by rosewood on Dec 13, 2007 2:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Agreed
The primary aim, though, isn't physical resemblance.

by Ziller on Dec 13, 2007 2:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Nicely done, sir.
Thanks for the laughs, TZ. Day in, day out we are wringing our hands over the serious issue known as the plight of the Kings. It's nice to lighten things up every once in a while with something as benign as politics. Can't wait for the religion post that you've been working on.  ;)
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 13, 2007 7:31 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Section rules
"Can't wait for the religion post you're working on..."

LOL, Section. You always manage to lighten things up my man.  Me....not so much ;-)

by Kusian on Dec 13, 2007 8:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And 1...
A Priest, a Rabbi and Sign Man are in a row boat...
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Dec 13, 2007 9:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You should be proud TZ
You made Henry Abbot's bullets again.
I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 13, 2007 10:53 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Kusian
Kusian,

Everything you said was grounded in truth -- even if some of it was a little misguided -- until you declared Roberts, Scalia, and Alito "infinitely smarter" than the rest of the justices.  They are great minds, no doubt.  Perhaps not surpassed, but "infinitely smarter"?  Give me a break.

by jefferson on Dec 13, 2007 11:03 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Fair is fair
How do we know Kusian wasn't referring to Riley, Brown, Van Gundy and McMillan???  ;)

by otis29 on Dec 14, 2007 5:11 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

fair
A fair critique. I let hyperbole get the better of me in the midst of my rant.  Thanks for keeping me real.

by Kusian on Dec 14, 2007 4:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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