The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports organizations in the world. It has produced some of the greatest athletes in NBA history and its players are often seen as role models to young people. Unfortunately, some NBA players have been arrested over the years for a variety of crimes ranging from substance abuse to domestic violence. In this article, we will look at some of the most notable arrests in the NBA and discuss why some players end up getting arrested.
Although arrests may seem like a negative aspect associated with being an NBA player, they can provide valuable lessons to young athletes who aspire to make it in professional sports. Through understanding why these players were arrested, aspiring athletes can learn how to stay out of trouble and focus on their game instead.
Notable Arrests in the NBA
In this section, we will look at some of the most notable arrests in the NBA and discuss why these players ended up getting arrested. From Dennis Rodman to Allen Iverson and DeShawn Stevenson, we will explore each case in detail to understand the reasons behind these arrests.
Dennis Rodman
It’s no surprise that Dennis Rodman has been arrested multiple times throughout his NBA career. His rap-sheet is extensive and includes charges such as domestic violence, DUI, obstructing justice, and domestic dispute. He even had police come to his house for over 70 noise violations at his Newport Beach home! It seems that if you were to put 100 former basketball players in a room and asked someone to pick the one most likely to be arrested, it would be Rodman.
James Worthy
James Worthy was one of the most prominent figures in the NBA during the 1990s, playing for a highly visible team. However, his notoriety was put to shame when he was arrested in a police sting operation in Houston while attempting to solicit prostitution. This incident caused a great deal of embarrassment and public outcry around the league and with Worthy himself.
Allen Iverson
One of the most shocking arrests involving Allen Iverson occurred when he was only 17 and accused of being part of a maiming mob. However, the arrest that is most notorious and objectionable to many was in 2002. During this arrest, Iverson faced charges for assault, weapons offenses and terrorist threats. Allegedly, he had thrown his wife out of the house during an argument and then threatened two men with a gun while searching for her again.
At the time, Iverson had already established himself as one of the best players in the NBA. His reputation as a bad boy increased significantly after this incident which made it difficult for him to move past it.
Charles Barkley
Prior to his MVP season in 1993, Charles Barkley had been arrested twice for fighting off the court. He first broke a man’s nose during a fight after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, then was later arrested for throwing a man through a plate-glass window after he threw a glass of ice at him.
This prompted Barkley to proclaim “I am not a role model,” sparking an intense national debate. While it is true that parents should take more active roles in teaching their children how to act properly, these two arrests still serve as an important reminder to aspiring athletes that there are consequences to their actions.
DeShawn Stevenson
In a case that shows the sometimes inflated egos and sense of invincibility of NBA players, DeShawn Stevenson was arrested and convicted of statutory rape in 2001. As a rookie with the Utah Jazz, he admitted to taking a 14-year-old girl back to a hotel room, getting her drunk and having consensual sex with her. This incident has caused him to live with the lasting effects ever since, and also brought about his annoying taunts toward opposing teams when he joined the Dallas Mavericks.
Isaiah Rider
Isaiah Rider had an extensive criminal history while playing in the NBA, making numerous arrests over a nine year span. From fifth-degree assault charges for kicking a bar manager to being caught with marijuana and gambling publicly, these crimes were a source of embarrassment for the league.
It’s remarkable that he was able to last as long as he did in the league, considering the severity of his infractions. The fact that he managed to stay on multiple teams before eventually ending up with the Jail Blazers speaks volumes about how leniently his offenses were treated by the league. In hindsight, Rider should have been removed from the NBA at the turn of the millennium due to his repeated criminal activity.
Jack Molinas
In 1953, Jack Molinas was kicked out of the NBA for his involvement in a point-shaving scandal at Columbia University. He and some of his teammates were accused of betting on games against their own team, and his connections to the mob led to his arrest in 1961 and subsequent murder in 1972.
This incident marked one of the earliest issues with gambling in the NBA, setting an example for the consequences of such behavior. Since then, many other NBA players have been arrested for various offenses, ranging from DUI’s to weapons offenses. In this section we will delve into some of these cases and explore why these athletes ended up behind bars.
Jason Kidd
The late 90’s saw the NBA go through a tumultuous period, with the loss of Michael Jordan, a lockout and thuggish behavior that drove away many fans from the game. It was only when the Los Angeles Lakers emerged with a new generation of younger players that the league started to regain its popularity.
Jason Kidd was one of these players and he seemed to be a nice, wholesome NBA star who worked hard for the New Jersey Nets. However, in 2001 he was convicted of domestic abuse which was damaging to his reputation. In 2007, when he filed for divorce from his wife, Kidd said that she had been extremely jealous and would often threaten to call the police and falsely accuse him of domestic abuse. This helped restore his image as she is seen by many as being unstable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NBA has seen its share of arrests over the years, from Jack Molinas to more recent players such as Isaiah Rider and Jason Kidd. Although it is never a good thing when an athlete is arrested, it can provide lessons to other aspiring athletes on how to stay out of trouble and focus on their game. It also helps to understand each individual case in order to gain insight into why these players were arrested in the first place. Ultimately, having stronger disciplinary measures in place could help prevent future arrests among NBA players.
