OT: LiAngelo Ball, two other UCLA players arrested in China for shoplifting

[superjohn]

I'm not surprised that the self-made, do-things-the-right-way crew has made their opinions heard in this thread, but that thinking is distorted by their own experiences and not a basis for any type of reasonable policy. The idea that someone could take joy in the public shaming and humiliation of a 19-year-old kid is actually quite sad. The fact that they could serve real time for what amounts to a speeding ticket is unjust and downright scary to consider. Then again, some of you strike me as the type who are genuine in craving a return to corporal punishment and the like, so my stance that their punishment should include a fine and maybe some community service may come across as soft.

None of this should necessarily preclude people from making jokes or finding creative ways to rub their nose in it when they hit the road, but generally speaking I'm of the mindset that humility can be garnered from an act of entitlement and immaturity without inflicting a trauma that compromises their futures.

I did all sorts of stupid stuff at that age but this is unfathomably stupid. One thing I always had was street smarts. You don't go to a foreign country and break their laws, especially friggin' China.

 

[SubZero]

LeAngelo Ball is leading the NCAA in steals.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Thanks for the grammatical insight. I look forward to your ongoing work in that capacity. I agree the message I typed on my phone while multi-tasking wasn’t perfectly clear. There looks to be a lot of room for improvement BY-wide on this topic.

I merely stated an opinion that the ‘adults’ in this situation are in many ways responsible for what happened. If me feeling strongly about that offends you then a thousand apologies. I’ll look forward to your lectures this winter for others when they feel strongly about their opinions.

I’m not exactly sure what I can do to help the administrations at UCLA and Georgia Tech make better decisions, nor do I see how I would root out corruption in college sports. Your suggestion seems to be I can impact these things through the style by which I post. However, you sure used a lot of big words and posted that real fancy like and I’m not sure it had a huge positive impact?

Merely?

 

[ChampHusky]

UCLA has a direct pipeline to China. I am willing to bet many current students are the sons and daughters of influential Chinese officials. Many officials are likely UCLA alums. The University will work their contacts and make this go away.

 

[superjohn]

The multi-billion dollar co-founder of Alibaba will be able to get the charges dropped.

 

[whaler11]

Merely?

Yes.

There are pretty much only two functions of a message board. Sharing facts and sharing opinions. I’ve only shared an opinion - so yes ‘merely’. Are you also our resident etymology expert? That’s a heavy teaching load for you this winter. Btw: merely (adverb) just, only.

Are you really so upset that I have a strong opinion? I guess we could all caveat every post and never take any strong positions. Sounds like a hoot.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

I don't think, and hope not, Trump will even mention those 3 players in his China trip.

Sometimes, well known things don't need to be mentioned. For example, mutual face saving particularly in China and more generally in Asia.

 

[Kaizen]

Lonzo Ball's brother and two other UCLA players reportedly released on bail and ordered to stay in China hotel until case is resolved.

The trio were reportedly released on bail Wednesday morning, but their journey through the Chinese legal system is far from over.

LiAngelo Ball, UCLA players released on bail and ordered to stay in China after shoplifting

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Yes.

There are pretty much only two functions of a message board. Sharing facts and sharing opinions. I’ve only shared an opinion - so yes ‘merely’. Are you also our resident etymology expert? That’s a heavy teaching load for you this winter. Btw: merely (adverb) just, only.

Are you really so upset that I have a strong opinion? I guess we could all caveat every post and never take any strong positions. Sounds like a hoot.

Strong opinions and how they're expressed are two different things. I have no upset to speak of.

 

[gtcam]

UCLA has a direct pipeline to China. I am willing to bet many current students are the sons and daughters of influential Chinese officials. Many officials are likely UCLA alums. The University will work their contacts and make this go away.

All major American Universities have this pipeline

 

[whaler11]

Strong opinions and how they're expressed are two different things. I have no upset to speak of.

Like I said many posts ago - one thousand apologies.

Someday, I hope to meet your exhaulted
standards of posting style.

I am hopeful that I can develop greater compassion for people who do and say foolish things. This includes myself.

Much luck with this impressive and meaningful goal. Certainly you don’t need any work at being passive-aggressive, maybe you could teach us that this winter if you have extra time between all your other responsibilities. Fingers crossed!

I would note you took the time to come up with that catchy tagline - perhaps salvation lies within?

 

[Blue Huskie]

Lonzo Ball's brother and two other UCLA players reportedly released on bail and ordered to stay in China hotel until case is resolved.

The trio were reportedly released on bail Wednesday morning, but their journey through the Chinese legal system is far from over.

LiAngelo Ball, UCLA players released on bail and ordered to stay in China after shoplifting

Good idea. I'm sure they're not flight risks

 

[HuskyHawk]

All major American Universities have this pipeline

Not quite like UCLA. There’s a reason they are playing there. They may be the most popular U.S. college in the country and admit more Chinese students than most others. I assume Cal is also high on that list.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Jaker]

LaVar and LaMelo both deserve a year in prison with hard labor

 

[sportsart]

Let's not make China the next great vacation destination.

I have a Christian friend in China that, when I email him, if I mention Jesus or God in the email, there is a good chance the government will see it.

Bible study in China is unacceptable.

Make no mistake about it. China is still a communist state.

 

[jleves]

Good idea. I'm sure they're not flight risks

I'm sure part of the process is taking their passports, so they aren't getting on a plane and I somehow doubt they have contacts for an underground extraction.

 

[intlzncster]

I somehow doubt they have contacts for an underground extraction.

You aren't a Big Baller tho

 

[jleves]

You aren't a Big Baller tho

You've met me - you know better than that!

 

[Jaker]

LaVar says it's no big deal, being blown out of proportion.

 

[intlzncster]

You've met me - you know better than that!

Touche. I concede.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Let's not make China the next great vacation destination. I have a Christian friend in China that, when I email him, if I mention Jesus or God in the email, there is a good chance the government will see it. Bible study in China is unacceptable. Make no mistake about it. China is still a communist state.

Interesting comments; never been to China? Much of the country is no garden spot, but your remarks suggest limited related factual knowledge. Other than that, spot on!

As 1-2 million US citizens visit China annually, no massive need exits to make China a next great destination. Many are business-related visits, but many are also exclusively tourism-focused. Unfortunately, a few too many jerkish Yanks. UCLA's 3 Stooges fit right in with some of the latter.

Setting aside communism never has existed anywhere, reasonable arguments increasingly can be made China is among the world's most capitailist nations. However, you'd need to have some actual experience in the nation to observe and have some understanding of the heavily capitalistic-driven socialist country's business environment.

Similarly, many westerners would be shocked to know how much Biblical study occurs among China's 1.5 billion people. Absolutely not encouraged, to varying degrees discouraged, and often quietly conducted, but still a bushel load of Christians, trendy wannabe Christians, et al reading and discussing the Bible and many even attending various churches of varying and dynamic acceptance or look the way existence. That said, firing off related emails as with other things in China may be observed to monitored. For a few years, my office was just up the road from the main monitoring HQ.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Under the subject heading "Ball's In Your Court", the shoplifting exploits of UCLA's 3 amigos appeared in one of China's best known expat forums today. Additionally, the article mentioned Alibaba, China's Amazon+, is corporate sponsor of Saturday's Pac 12-organized UCLA-Georgia Tech. Safe to say the Bruins will be a bit undermanned, but contrary to my initial view (probably wrong!) maybe China won't quickly usher UCLA's sticky-fingered ballers out of the country.

From the linked article: "According to standard law, LiAngelo Ball and party could be held for over a month without charges, and if convicted, could spend between three and ten years behind bars. Said a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, "China will handle this case in accordance with the law and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people involved.”

 

[Kaizen]

Under the subject heading "Ball's In Your Court", the shoplifting exploits of UCLA's 3 amigos appeared in one of China's best known expat forums today. Additionally, the article mentioned Alibaba, China's Amazon+, is corporate sponsor of Saturday's Pac 12-organized UCLA-Georgia Tech. Safe to say the Bruins will be a bit undermanned, but contrary to my initial view (probably wrong!) maybe China won't quickly usher UCLA's sticky-fingered ballers out of the country.

From the linked article: "According to standard law, LiAngelo Ball and party could be held for over a month without charges, and if convicted, could spend between three and ten years behind bars. Said a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, "China will handle this case in accordance with the law and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people involved.”

When Lavar said: Everyone's making it a big deal. It ain't that big a deal. This big mouth doesn't know he can make his son a big, big deal. It may mislead the Chineses that shoplifting is not a big deal in USA. At least this is what my neighbor (a Chinese couple) told me what people in China will think.

 

[sportsart]

Interesting comments; never been to China? Much of the country is no garden spot, but your remarks suggest limited related factual knowledge. Other than that, spot on!

As 1-2 million US citizens visit China annually, no massive need exits to make China a next great destination. Many are business-related visits, but many are also exclusively tourism-focused. Unfortunately, a few too many jerkish Yanks. UCLA's 3 Stooges fit right in with some of the latter.

Setting aside communism never has existed anywhere, reasonable arguments increasingly can be made China is among the world's most capitailist nations. However, you'd need to have some actual experience in the nation to observe and have some understanding of the heavily capitalistic-driven socialist country's business environment.

Similarly, many westerners would be shocked to know how much Biblical study occurs among China's 1.5 billion people. Absolutely not encouraged, to varying degrees discouraged, and often quietly conducted, but still a bushel load of Christians, trendy wannabe Christians, et al reading and discussing the Bible and many even attending various churches of varying and dynamic acceptance or look the way existence. That said, firing off related emails as with other things in China may be observed to monitored. For a few years, my office was just up the road from the main monitoring HQ.

Not sure what you mean by my limited knowledge, and your mixed up response.

My knowledge is based on facts. Atheists are more than welcome in China.

 

[SubZero]

LaVar says it's no big deal, being blown out of proportion.

In Lavar’s mind, crime and laws may not be a big deal but it is in China.

 

[Leebo]

I'm sure Lavar will think it's no big deal if someone steals from his BBB popup shop.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

My knowledge is based on facts. Atheists are more than welcome in China.

Atheism? Yes, to varying degrees in different regions. And, local government leaders in particular tamping down wannabe western and returning Chinese missionaries conducting non-kosher activities more aggressively than accepted.

Meanwhile, different international organizations report anywhere between 20-80 million Christians (protestant and non-Vatican City sanctioned Catholics alike) attend services and masses in public churches, e.g., the large early 20th church behind one of my Shanghai buildings. However, that figure does not include many Christians meeting elsewhere, e.g., a group of 30-40 employees which supposedly did not gather each Sunday in my company's large conference room nor the group's Sunday minister/work week HR manager. Great guy!

Despite supposed outright government prohibitions, independent sources also report half of China's 1.4+ b citizens regularly practice well-recognized religions. Not Christianity, but a whole lot of followers of Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Muslim, local faiths, etc. Indeed, religions some westerners may inexplicably discount.

Actual experience, regular interaction with Chinese relatives, friends and colleagues, and factual knowledge gained over several years on-the-ground is quite revealing. By contrast, many a westerner opts to believe all perceived facts, other less fact-based information, and even a few too many bs rumors as absolute gospel truth. Lavar?

 

[crazyUCfan23]

Stupid has no age limit, the Boneyard proves that day in day out.

Truest statement ever posted on this board.

 

[Husker Husky]

I've read 4 pages of comments and shake my head at a few posts. So some of my random thoughts:

- As to having to "following the laws of the country you are visiting"; what freaking countries allow shoplifting?
- Does a coaching/administration staff really need to tell anyone over the age of 7 not to shoplift? Maybe not spit on the sidewalk in Singapore, but Shoplifting???
- As much as Laval Ball is a bleeding hemorrhoid, and I can't wait until his 15 minutes of fame is over, there were 5 other nitwits beside his son here. I bet their families are thrilled that he and his son will get all the attention and their kids will avoid a good part of the flack.
- At the end of this mess, the kids will not likely learn anything from this. They will be told over and over that the Chinese authorities are just a.holes. This is the world we now live in.