There's no question Darius Miles has acted like a fool both on and off the court at various times throughout his abridged career, whether it was that ridiculous, tricked out car of his, his consistent insubordination, or his inability to quit smoking weed for more than 2 seconds at a time. For this, he has no one to blame but himself.
My point of contention lies within the inclination to blame Miles for all the Blazers woes. Critics are quick to point out how his huge salary has hamstrung the team's trade manuevering or to blame his lack of productivity for the Blazer's dreadful regular season records of the past years. But doesn't at least some of the responsibility belong to the team's front office?
Is it Miles' fault they offered him, an immature young player, such a giant contract? Can you honestly blame him for the malformation in his knee that sidelined him for two full seasons and subsequently ended his career?
It's easy to sit in judgment of someone whose every indiscretion is paraded through the media outlets. Indeed, it's been harmful to the image of the organization, the city of Portland, and most of all Darius himself.
But as the old maxim goes, character is judged by what you do when no one's looking. And because Miles has been maligned aplenty, he deserves also to be commended for his moments of altruism.
I mean, honestly, how bad can a guy be who reads a random news story about the tragic death of a child and offers to pay for all of the family's funeral expenses, and without the media fanfare?
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=118401287864845700
Behind the weathered, bearded facade it's hard to see the fresh-faced kid giddy just to be playing in the NBA among his idols. But I have a hunch he's still in there somewhere.
Keywords: Portland Trailblazers
