SYMPATHY FOR THE TURPIN FAMILY
I happened across NBA.com's Steve Aschburner's article of 07/30/10 on the suicide of Melvin Turpin tilted "Only now, after a long battle, does Turpin find sympathy". It seems Mr. Aschburner believes some of us may owe Melvin Turpin an apology for the ridicule he received as a college and NBA player for the weight problem he struggled with throughout his basketball career. I am offended by this notion. Melvin Turpin was drafted sixth overall in 1984, only a few spots behind Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. Melvin Turpin lasted five seasons (three teams) in the NBA before wearing out his welcome and second chances in 1990. During this time Mr. Aschburner's states Turpin was laughed at, ridiculed, hollered at, benched, fined and waived by executives, coaches, and fans. The lesson learned here is not that we, the fans, executives, or coaches, should have acted differently but that Turpin refused to learn from his poor decisions. These consequences are a result o...