The NBA does not have to deal with the issue of domestic abuse, often. But when it does, it’s often a controversial process.
The league suspended Sacramento Kings point guard Darren Collison earlier this week for eight games. Collison had previously plead guilty to a charge of domestic batter.
Many people disliked the league’s decision as it seems to be a fairly soft punishment for a major crime. Jeff Van Gundy was among those people.
As he often is, Van Gundy was outspoken about the issue during a Knicks-Rockets broadcast on ESPN. Transcript via Sean Highkin:
Transcript of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jones talking about the Derrick Rose case on the ESPN Knicks-Rockets broadcast pic.twitter.com/CCLt7sIImP
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) October 5, 2016
It’s hard to disagree with Van Gundy. The league has been progressive in many regards but this is one they probably got wrong.
Just to be the devil’s advocate in this situation, I would say it’s difficult to have such a standardized set of punishments. Not every case is similar and in my opinion, the player’s efforts to make amends afterwards is important to consider.
That said, it would be difficult to argue against what Jeff Van Gundy is proposing if it ever comes to fruition. The NBA should absolutely take this issue more seriously.
