Maple Leafs 0 at Canadiens 3: On PK Subban

Hahaha saw your little skirmish on the Habs blog. Amusing stuff, I like how they can’t take any criticism that is justified with facts. All they do is dance around what you can prove and make immature comments.

On the topic of Subban, I don’t think the race card should have been brought out. Obviously it’s a very white dominated sport (hockey is) and there aren’t lots of players who are black- let alone top tier players. That being said, it’s inappropriate to say he’s being hated on with a racial bias, because that’s stupid and ignorant. If players like Hall, Seguin, Tavares, Stamkos etc.. had done this in their rookie years, they too would have been eaten up by the MSM. There is a ‘code’ in hockey, but this code follows a few principles that are common practice that apply here. The first being, respect your elders. As a rookie, it’s your job to shut up and take flak from the veterans. That’s not too say let them physically push you around on the ice, but when your own teammates go to the media and complain about your locker room behaviour, you have some shaping up to do.

This guy has all the talent in the world, he just needs to deflate his ego from the surprise run the Habs made last year and settle down.

Also, Subban is a shitty defenceman, he’s really a 4th forward almost. He looks lost in his defensive end.

Subban better keep his head up.

Well said.

More than anything, I think it’s an example of the media getting hold of a theme and refusing to let it go. We saw this with Crosby: one or two NHLers called him a whiner, and suddenly we’re constantly being told he’s a big baby. Every NHL player from Gretzky to Lemieux to Domi complains to the refs, but when Crosby complained it went on the highlight reels because it reinforced the theme.

Now Richards called out Subban for ‘disrespect’ and this is a new theme, so every example of non-conformity gets trumpeted. Like Crosby (or the Leafs), the Canadiens get lots of media attention. And there is always – always going to be a reference back to the Richards quote.

Is this targeting because he’s black? I’m tempted not to rule it out, because disrespect for your ‘betters’ is a frequent racist code in the US. All the same, given Crosby’s experience I don’t think it’s necessary for racism to play a role in creating this sort of theme. And if it’s not necessary and it’s not explicit I don’t see why we should assume it’s widespread.

From what I’ve seen of Subban, he frequently gets targeted by the opposition forecheckers – it makes sense, he’s an emotional rookie. He responds in ways that often cross the line. Other young, skilled defencemen – I’m thinking of Chris Chelios – have often done the same (and no, I’m not saying I think Subban is or will be as good as Chelios).

I noticed the veiled racism against P.K. Subban myself on more than one occasion, the OT goal celebration is just one of those incidents. I’m glad someone else had the courage to point it out.

I’m not taking a liking to Joffrey Lupul. When he screams about not being able to take off his helmet but practically leads with his head while doing so, then I don’t blame Subban for popping him. He should have known better.

I hate the Habs but I wouldn’t mind Subban playing for the Leafs. Yes he plays on the edge but in time he’ll cool it and settle down. At least I hope.

Subban needs to get his head filled in a couple times just so he knows the consequences, I would like to see a Richards/Subban tilt sooner rather than later

And if PK Subban was a Maple Leaf the level of hatred for him would be off the charts!

I think Subban is a good player who has the types of holes in his game that a talented 21-year-old usually does, and will probably have a pretty good career. And I’ll even go as far as to say I like the personality that some of his critics lament.

What I can’t stand is the assumption that absolutely every criticism of him now gets attributed to that personality. Call him out for slugging a guy while he takes his lid off? You must just think he’s not being deferential enough. Have a problem with him slew-footing? You obviously think he doesn’t respect his elders, whatever the hell that even means.

I would love for him to keep the personality, drop the cheap shots, and either bust out or play for another team. And I really wish more people could see comments on any of those topics individually, instead of lumping them all together.

What on earth is Harry Neale talking about when he says Lupul is careless with his stick after delivering his check? All I see is Lupul delivering a check and Subban taking exception.

Anyway, I never actually even thought of race having anything to do with his attention in the media. To me, the guy calls for the attention whether intentionally or not. Rookies don’t regularly trade jerseys with players during skills competitions. They don’t usually get called out for being too cocky or lacking respect (especially from a player with a very good image around the league, like Richards).

He does things to bring this attention to himself, whether intentional or not, and he plays a game that as is bullish as his personality. Maybe it’s just that, his personality. Everyone’s upbringing is different, we don’t know what he’s been through. I guess I figured this league had seen enough black players that it was a non-issue.

$0.02

http://str8hoops.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/zach-randolph-happy-valentines-day-card.jpg

To be honest with you, as a hockey fan, I like PK Subban. If he were on our team I’d like PK Subban. But what I wouldn’t like is for PK to get his head knocked off by someone because of the reputation he’s building for himself. Chirping – no problem, All Star game awesomeness – no problem. Not waiting for the guy to take his helmet off, or him not taking his off, fighting with a visor – problem. And as Lupul said, people are taking note.

I think the kid is great. Too bad montreal drafted him.

Wait, people comment over at HEOTP? When did that start?

Geez, if I were the Leafs I’d bitch way more about Kostitsyn’s cheap shot than Subban’s fighting ethics.