And knowing bosk1, I don't think he intended to describe those that dislike Draymond as "haters" and not rational people with valid opinions. It's rough sometimes wording something in a post when you're trying to reply and then do something else at the same time. I took his post to be pointing at those that just look at the highlights and see Draymond's big mouth and pass judgment, instead of watching him play intently.
I think most in this thread are the latter (at least for the most part), so I wouldn't take offense.
Yeah, pretty much that. But on the flipside, I also think that, to an extent, most of the few that are truly "offended" by him
don't really understand the game and how it is played, and are instead projecting on him what they think the game of basketball should be rather than what it is. But at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. I think the criticism is overblown and silly, that's all. But to briefly address the two points made about him:
-As far as his mouth and him being verbally and physically demonstrative, all I can say is: okay. If you don't like it and you think it crosses the line, so be it. I don't have a problem with it and wouldn't even if he were on another team than the one I happen to follow. What he does, IMO, is well within the bounds of what is acceptable in pro sports, especially basketball, and it isn't offensive whatsoever to me. Does that mean he doesn't sometimes get carried away and go too far? Nope. I have to concede that he absolutely does. But for my own tolerance level, it has never gotten to the point where I have found it offputting, and it is mostly well within the bounds of what I think a team's fiery, emotional "heart-and-soul" player is expected to be.
-As far as the "dirty play," I'll just stand by what I said a few pages back, and say that, to me, it's a tricky call. He is a physical player, and one who definitely pushes the boundaries and sometimes crosses them. But what he does is always part of a "basketball play," and, to me, doesn't go too far (usually). Hey, if that bothers people, I get it. And that's where I admit that he is the type of player that, if he is playing for you, you love it, and if he is playing against you, you hate it. I get that. But I just wouldn't call it "dirty" regardless of which side he happens to be on. For those that do, that's fine. I think it's a fine line. But what bothers me is seeing either exaggeration or blatant falsehood about his style of play, and I generally find that those who throw those kinds of things out there as if they are accepted fact to be pretty clueless. If you have to exaggerate to make your point, I'm going to feel free to disregard it and not take you seriously, whoever you are. I can tell you exactly why I like him as a player, and I can tell you exactly why I disagree with a lot of the criticism that I think is unfairly leveled at him. For anyone that wants to have that discussion, I'm happy to discuss. But when it devolves into "oh, that nut-kicker!" or "immaturely demonstrative after
virtually every single foul call" or "resume of dirty plays" or the like, again, I just can't take you seriously. If you want to be taken seriously, take facts and let's discuss. As with just about any other topic on Internet discussion forums, it's possible to have impassioned, heated debate about something
without resorting to exaggerating or bending the truth to fit an argument. And it is often rewarding. But when it just devolves into social-media-type catchphrases that don't paint an accurate picture, it's not productive.
EDIT: And if you think I'm wrong, don't be afraid to speak up just because I'm the admin. I can take criticism, and I can take being called out, even if I may disagree, as long as that criticism doesn't cross the line into personal attacks or other rule issues.