Over at NBX today, I congratulated the NFL for quickly creating the Shawne Merriman Rule. That got me thinking that there are really only 3 ways to have something named after you:
- You do something very notable and become famous for it
- You do something very notable and become notorious for it
- You pay someone a lot of moneyÂ
So the NFL has reportedly created a rule (informally named after Merriman because he got busted for steroid use in November) that is designed to keep players who tested positive for steroids out of the Pro Bowl during that same year. It’s pretty simple to me – if you cheat to get ahead and get caught, you shouldn’t be rewarded for it.  That brings me to my next point. What about the cheaters who don’t get caught…?
With that, it’s with great pleasure that I announce that Gilbert Arenas has updated his blog once again. This week’s entry is titled “So What if I Cheated?”Â
As a follow-up to last week’s 3 point shooting contest vs DeShawn Stevenson, Gilbert says teammate Antawn Jamison is the next challenger.
I told Antawn I’ll beat him from the NBA three with one hand. I’m going to win because I’m going to cheat until I win. It’s like when you’re playing against that veteran. He’s going to use every trick in the book from calling check balls to stopping the game with timeouts. It’s the same thing with one-on-one. Yeah, I’m going to cheat my way to that victory if it’s getting kind of ugly out there.
Clearly Arenas admits to cheating - but I think he’s really talking about savvy moves that give a virtuoso veteran the edge in competition. Consider this however, was it cheating when Patrick Ewing took 5 steps across the free-throw line before nailing his hook? Was it cheating when MJ pushed Bryon Russell aside before sinking one of his legendary shots to win the NBA title?Â
Your answer of course?
Hell no.
That’s not cheating, how dare you say so!
Well my friends, that it is cheating.Â
Don’t take it away you tell me.  It’s those moves that entertain us and provide the lasting memories you argue.
Folks, so did Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, and we’ve seen how that’s turned out.
So my friends, my message to you is simple. Next time you see your favorite player take 3 steps to hammer down a dunk, ask yourself if you’re OK knowing that he violated the rules by traveling.Â
Sure, that’s an easy trade you say.
What if I told you that your favorite player who just crushed a grand slam was using a corked bat? Then what would you say?Â
Doesn’t bother you of course.
Well, what if I told you he was using steroids.
How is any of this different?
