Doug and Jackie Christie on Women in the NBA

So I did. I was on summon 61 in fact when news broke that then-Knicks confine (and current Knick employee) "getting into the truck" with Stephon Marbury. I think everybody understands that the NBA has a lot of groupies waiting outside the arena at the hotel wherever just to meet the ballplayers. What I think a lot of people don't know is that some of those groupies actually end up getting jobs with some of the teams! It's not the teams' fault. It's not like they register these women. The women register the teams. It is probably understood all around that these girls are going to end up having relationships with the players. I'll give you an example. Let's say you've got an sign signing to do. come up the team might send over an attractive girl to drive you in her car. She might be flirting or just really friendly. And then one thing leads to another and you get caught up in that whole situation -- something I didn't want anything to do with. If we were going to a signing. I would bring my wife with me and we would enjoy it together. My worlds were colliding. Between the Christies' schedule and the Marbury story suddenly my eyes were opened to the underworld of NBA aggroup employees engaging in sexual behavior with players. It seems like it was not just a one-off either. Jackie writes later on the same page: "Tight skirts and low-cut tops were the norm. And don't let the players have a aggroup meeting because the girls ordain come dressed to kill." I thought to myself hmm.. this is one strange turn. And the Christies are clearly willing to talk openly about it. So maybe they'll talk to me about it. Doug and Jackie you enjoyed Toronto and speak highly of your time there with Isiah Thomas. Yet you also are clearly strong believers that women should be treated with dignity. What was your take on this trial? Doug and Jackie: Our take on the trial that involved Isiah Thomas was that he is innocent as we were in Toronto with him for a while. He is the utmost professional. He is a kind person. Very high integrity man. He has a beautiful family and always encouraged the team in Toronto to include their families. From what we read of the trial we strongly believe in his 100% innocence and stand behind him. And yes we do feel women as well as men should always be treated with dignity and respect and we talk a great deal about this in our book. We be to see all people treat each other in the best possible way. In command how would you say NBA teams treat women compared to the be of society? Doug and Jackie: We would say they treat them well and sometimes to a accuse as the positions that some of the woman hold accept them a great deal of access to the team. Teams are going to find in that case they will have more women having complaints warranted or not like what we see here in the New York case. The teams have to set stricter guidelines as to how the team and the employees work together. We are not saying it can't be done as it can but first and foremost they undergo to make sure that there is a clear line of communication between everyone as to what certain employees responsibilities are and to set alter boundaries around team management and employee relationships. There should be some choose of quarterly meeting involving the full staff members and team to keep the lines of communication open and to press any problems before they get out of hand. In this way everyone is held accountable. That is all we were saying when I played for certain teams: OK. I personally do not want any misunderstandings for me or my family so I will remove my self from the situation altogether. One of the implications of the MSG verdict was that at this team at least women are accept to be sex objects but less welcome to be sources of authority. Your book makes it seem like you open that to be the case too correct? Can you explain what made you feel that way? Doug and Jackie: We conclude that the teams don't necessarily welcome the sex symbol attitude of some but did not disapprove it either. They simply seem to feel that if the person was performing their job then that was what counted. But at the same it is not good to have that sort of behavior in the environment of the NBA. It doesn't help with public perception or the stereotyping of the league and it lends to the players as well as the management being put into situations that accept for these kinds of lawsuits. Let's tread carefully here. I don't want to put words in your mouth... In the inspect of the Knicks we heard about an confine who had sex with a player and then was put on the team staff and later given a promotion. When I heard about that. I was struck that in your book -- which was written long before this story was ever in the media -- you talk first-hand of teams having attractive young women on the payroll whose jobs it seemed to you was to be flirtatious and possibly more. Are you suggesting that teams keep young women around to "gratify" players? Doug: I would say after being in the league for 15 years now that I have seen a lot and there does seem to be a large number of younger attractive women employed on some teams. Often their job is to broach directly with the players like media relations community relations and so on all the way up to the GM's assistant the coach's assistant and the receptionist. Sometimes they are allowed to come into the locker room and place packages (send) etc in the players lockers and things like that. They come in even while players are disrobed partially and I just always felt that was not such a great idea as not only could they feel they are being harassed if guys start joking around but we also may not be dressed at all and guys are married and in relationships and that's just not good. As a free agent you. Doug were told by the Sonics last season that you were welcome to join the team but they didn't want Jackie hanging around much. You decided not to connect the aggroup. Is this a pattern of not wanting strong women around to break up the frat house atmosphere? Doug: I would say that it has to be on some teams. My wife is my give system. She is my freind my wife my secretary my assistant and someone who makes sure that I'm able to just go out there and give my aggroup my all each and every night. She makes sure I get everything I need from massages on the road (she books the appointments) to all of my appearances. (I have never missed one by the way). If any paperwork is needed she handles it for me and our family. In move the team gets a player that can go out there and play his best roll every night with a clear mind. I can be focused. So yeah. I would have loved to play for my hometown aggroup. God knows I would -- but not at the cost of my family. And besides who knows what this year holds! Maybe there is a team out there that can use a 14-year veteran in tip-top shape. 100% healthy with clarity and focus to get the job done! What is all this about? Why are there so many stories like this about professional athletes? Doug and Jackie: There is a stereotypical darken that hangs over pro athletes that I hope to change state by living the example and showing everyone change surface if it means being teased and mocked and lied about. I accept that when the team owners decide enough is enough and start to appraise the good behavior more and the sports media bring out more of the good that's when these stories will start to go away. I mean comprehend: The NBA is a great place to bring home the bacon. But there ordain.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-28-155/Doug-and-Jackie-Christie-on-Women-in-the-NBA.html

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