Religion might be the deciding factor of #1 pick...

[EGarrett]

This topic could potentially get very ugly, but let's give it a try anyway.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004 ... id=1811526

Dwight Howard recently came out and said that he wants a cross on the NBA logo. He also added that he intends to use his status to tell people the truth about God.

Coincidentally, Pat Williams, the president of the Magic, wrote a book about how to live like Jesus.

In the article, Williams claims that Howard's religious belief won't be a factor in their decision. But he did refer to it as "wonderful" and say it was great to see a young man who was on the straight path.

Okafor is from England, but he does have African roots, so there's a very strong chance that he's not a Christian.

Hmm...

[JBalfour4]

I hate to say this, but he going to be faced with a lot of off-court distractions when he go to the NBA. That might make his players turn against him, or vice-versa. He should have never came out "BIG" with his religion, or what he feel. Some players might think he trying to be better then them, it could get ugly. I hope for the best. It when to far with the cross on the logo. If I was him, I would have never came out with what I feel, just keep it inside. If someone ask you, then tell them. Don't try to change nothing, or nobody. It would be nice to see another postive player in the NBA, but getting the number one pick for religion, I don't think so.
Okafor should be the one number pick anyways, because Magic needs a big man.

[J@3]

Okafor should be the one number pick anyways, because Magic needs a big man.

Just a shame he's not actually much bigger than their Shooting Guard

[Matt]

Well if he ends up as a Barkley, E Brand or Ben Wallace then size doesn't really matter

[J@3]

That's a big "if"... actually more like IF

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

Yeah if they put the cross on the nba logo, that would piss a lot of people off. This game is played in a democratic country and there has to be freedom of religion. On top of that, religion and sports should not even be on the same page. From a player's standpoint yes ... but there should never be an official religion of a sport. And besides, I don't see it happening.

[Micchy_boy]

david robinson was vocal about his belief in God but as we all know he do it not having a sign of cross on jersey or whatever but he show that God was with him through playing. and we can say that he was successful in bringing God to other.

[hmm]

.

[J@3]

HE WANTS A CROSS ON NBA LOGO ? What an stupid,web-minded person.
Like there is no muslim or non-believer player or NBA fans around.is only christians love NBA or is USA a christian country.No USA is a laic country.Why would NBA logo have cross anyway ? There are muslims,gays (pippen),christians,jews,atheists playing in NBA,loving NBA.People from all over the world with different culture,religion or color (it doesnt matter) lovin the game.

I'm not entirely sure what all of that meant, but I agree... er, I think

The fact is bringing Christianity into professional sports would alienate too many fans. Sport isnt about religion, not in most Western nations anyway. If that was the case then only Christians would be allowed in the League, and any hopeful Muslims and the like would have to convert in order to play in the NBA. What Howard is requesting is self-centered and overly bias. What if he was a muslim? Would he want a Turban on the logo too? If he wants a cross on the logo he can draw his own and stop being such a bigot.

While we're changing the logo, here are a few of my idea's...



Edit: Spent 5 mins on the pics so dont give me any crap about it

[matmat8]

That's true jaev2
The thing is sports are already part of politics so please don't bring religion...

[Bang]

Mr. Kareem and Hakeem might not agree with the cross idea.

It is kind of admirable that he would be willing to speak out an idea like that. However, it's kind of stupid...no really stupid. Religion and sports shouldn't mix. But then, don't football games have reverends praying in locker rooms? Oh well. Hopefully people remember that church and state should be separate. So should church and sports.

[fgrep15]

This topic could potentially get very ugly, but let's give it a try anyway.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004 ... id=1811526

Dwight Howard recently came out and said that he wants a cross on the NBA logo. He also added that he intends to use his status to tell people the truth about God.

Coincidentally, Pat Williams, the president of the Magic, wrote a book about how to live like Jesus.

In the article, Williams claims that Howard's religious belief won't be a factor in their decision. But he did refer to it as "wonderful" and say it was great to see a young man who was on the straight path.

Okafor is from England, but he does have African roots, so there's a very strong chance that he's not a Christian.

Hmm...

His roots are Nigerian, he's Ebo, so he could be but I don't know.

HE WANTS A CROSS ON NBA LOGO ? What an stupid,web-minded person.
Like there is no muslim or non-believer player or NBA fans around.is only christians love NBA or is USA a christian country.No USA is a laic country.Why would NBA logo have cross anyway ? There are muslims,gays (pippen),christians,jews,atheists playing in NBA,loving NBA.People from all over the world with different culture,religion or color (it doesnt matter) lovin the game.

And there is no way orlando drafting him orlando will draft EMEKA ONCE AND FOR ALL.if they draft this moron player i will not watch NBA anymore.Mannnnnnn !!!!!!
Why guys like this have talent anyway.i am really pissed.it seems i found who will hate in NBA incomin years.

Wow, so you're going to hate the guy because of that

Let's get serious here, the guy is 19, so him talking about putting a cross on the logo is likely just a joke, not a joke but just him being creative, not something he actually considered would happen.

[Gripni]

You can't fault Dwight Howard for being religious. I don't think the NBA logo should have a cross on it, though. I'm not even Christian.

I didn't know Emeka Okafor is British...

[fgrep15]

That's because he isn't, he was born in Houston

I know Deng was in England for a while though, but he was born in Sudan, and Ben Gordon was born in England.

[Steve04]

Okafor is from England, but he does have African roots, so there's a very strong chance that he's not a Christian.

That doesn't really make any sense..What you think every native born African is into voodoo or something? There are Christian Africans in Africa too.

I don't think Howard's religion will be a factor, Ultimately you pick the best basketball player regardless of personal beliefs.

[fgrep15]

Yea that's what I was thinking too, I'm Nigerian, and I was born their, and their are a lot of Christians in Africa, and also many in Nigeria, so I don't know where you go that from.

[Andrew]

Dwight Howard's intentions are admirable, but if he's serious about the change to the NBA logo, I don't agree with the idea. As a couple of people have already mentioned, such a move could be considered insensitive to NBA players (and fans) of different faiths. I don't think the NBA should associate itself with one religion; I don't think it's a professional basketball league's place to be preaching.

Also, he should be careful about "(using) his status to tell people the truth about God". He should follow the example set by people such as David Robinson, who was proud of his faith but never forced it upon people. If Howard's approach is going to be "holier than thou", constantly preaching, I don't think he's going to be too popular with a lot of people. But if he's going to take a similar approach to David Robinson, then I don't think there will be much backlash.

[PRoPuLsiOnDJ]

But then, don't football games have reverends praying in locker rooms?

Even the NBA has these guys. As a matter of fact, some of the Laker players have a preacher come in before the games. But there is really no problem with that because they are not bringing it out to the media nor are they trying to convert other people. They are just praying. And the players listen to these preachers at their own will. I saw this on a documentary .. and only 3 or 4 lakers listen to the preacher before games.

[hmm]

.

[EGarrett]

That's because he isn't, he was born in Houston

I know Deng was in England for a while though, but he was born in Sudan, and Ben Gordon was born in England.

Hmm...maybe I was thinking of Deng.

But I did just say there was a strong chance he wasn't a Christian. Obviously there are Christians in Africa, but the percentages are different.

[hmm]

.

[fgrep15]

as i know %15-20 of africa is christian and same percent of muslims and the others are voodoo guys.

Haha Voodoo guys, I had some in my backyard, had to fight them off with my poking stick sometimes.

[Amphatoast]

I'm a Christian, but I don't believe it should be on the NBA logo. Since when was the NBA a religous sport? Never!! Putting the cross on it will make people approach the game with a different tone. You hurt someone or get in the heat of the moment battle and all sort of religous things will come up. It's a sport, free to all races, religion, or whatever, even if you believe in the Devil. I don't see cross going on the NBA, at least not in my lifetime and I'm only 18.