I'm really liking Joakim Noah!

[springhill]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/sec/2006-10-26-florida-cover_x.htm

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Joakim Noah did not want to go to the White House with the Florida Gators after they won the men's NCAA basketball tournament in April.
"I thought, 'Why would I go there?' " he says. "I have different views from who's in power."

Coach Billy Donovan and his recalcitrant star had a long talk. Donovan convinced Noah a boycott would taint his teammates and their title and a visit to the White House was not the same as an endorsement of President Bush's war policies. Noah agreed to go.

The behind-the-scenes drama, which they are talking about publicly for the first time, is indicative of their complicated relationship. Donovan is a Republican who backs the president. Noah is an independent who doesn't. Never the twain shall meet.

Except, somehow, it does — on the court, where Noah embraces Donovan's team-first approach, and off, where Donovan appreciates Noah's deeply felt humanism.

"We definitely have completely different political views, different views on a lot of things," Noah says. "I still think he is a great mentor."

[Double T]

1. Why would ANYONE want to go THERE?

Wish Noah had stuck to his original position.

[Bluzmann57]

2. That seems strange

Noah is a child of privilege, his father was a moderately successful tennis player several years ago and his mother was a fashion model. Seems like he should embrace the republic party's ideals of take care of the rich. And despite his overrated (imo) basketball skills, he stands to be very rich himself after the NBA draft.

[ellacott]

3. People of priviledge can still think for themselves

Many rich people do embrace liberal ideologies.

[chimpymustgo]

4. I wish he'd had the guts to not be a backdrop for the Warmongering Chimp.

Just don't go. Or at least make some kind of statement. Silence is collusion.

[ellacott]

6. I agree n/t

[MemphisTiger]

8. He has to think about his future in the NBA draft coming up

[Bluzmann57]

7. Yes I know people of privilege can think for themselves

But I was just thinking that it was strange, that's all. Hell, I remember in about 1991 Michael Jordan refused to go to the White House to meet George Bush no. 1 after the Bulls won an NBA championship and Jordan likely has more money than Noah ever will. I was just opining, that's all. Good for Noah. He has his own views, which are different from his coach and the powers that be.

[MemphisTiger]

9. However that was MJ not Noah

and he already had his contract.

[ellacott]

10. MJ wouldn't endorse candidates

There was a close race in North Carolina and the Dem. candidate asked for his endorsement. MJ wouldn't endorse anyone. He said that "Republicans buy his shoes just like Democrats".

He has the right not to endorse anyone but I had hoped he would have come out in support of the Dem. candidate.

[MemphisTiger]

13. The point I was making was...

that MJ had arrived while Noah isn't even in the NBA yet. He has to play his cards right to make it in the first round.

[malaise]

5. There's nothing like having progressive parents

who expose you to reality early. Joakim's dad was part of that Arthur Ashe revolution in tennis.

http://www.rfimusique.com/siteen/biographie/biographie_6285.asp

[Nedsdag]

11. Billy Donovan is a Republican?

I really didn't need to know that.

[Dawgs]

12. Works for me!!

I'm a Georgia fan, and hate the Gators more than any other team. And when I say hate, I mean hate.