Don't miss ESPN 30 for 30 "Benji" this Tuesday night!

[MUHerd37]

i'm apparently a few years older than you....i didnt see him play but i know enough about him to know that his legend grew in the years after his death...a lot of guys who were the best in their class in 11th grade didnt amount to shit....a few years later ronnie fields was projected to be the best player ever to come from chicago while he was in hs...howd he turn out?

We aren't allowed to say that in this thread

[MUHerd37]

Of course you're right, just that this wasn't the time or place, which makes you less authoritative that you'd like to think.

People need to stop putting athletes on pedestals. Athletes are no more important than anyone else. That's why the country is so fukked up.

[19th Hole]

I was like 7 years old when he got killed. It was one of my first realizations in life that this world is a dark, evil place. The name Ben Wilson represents that to me. His basketball is irrelevant. I never saw him play. It wasn't until a few years ago when I read what Nick Anderson and others said about him that I realized he was the #1 recruit in the nation. Did you see him play?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spurious prepubescent emotion at best.

[rumnblack]

People need to stop putting athletes on pedestals. Athletes are no more important than anyone else. That's why the country is so fukked up.

Athletes are more important, simply because they represent the hopes and aspirations of thousands of people who otherwise lead mudane and crap lives.

That doesn't mean they belong on a pedestal but to say they're not important is ridiculous.

[MUHerd37]

Athletes are more important, simply because they represent the hopes and aspirations of thousands of people who otherwise lead mudane and crap lives.

That doesn't mean they belong on a pedestal but to say they're not important is ridiculous.

I disagree. Nobody is more important than anyone else just because they are good at basketball.

[Albert Pujols]

People need to stop putting athletes on pedestals. Athletes are no more important than anyone else. That's why the country is so fukked up.

The world is ****** up because stuff like this happens, not because people like sports. Contrary to your thoughts, I think Ben's death serves as a reminder to the rest of us that this shit does go on. Yes, his life was no more important than anyone else's......we are all equal. But I don't know the names of everyone that gets killed senselessly. I know Ben's name, and I know that his story is all too familiar to people that live in the ghetto everywhere.

[Albert Pujols]

i'm apparently a few years older than you....i didnt see him play but i know enough about him to know that his legend grew in the years after his death...a lot of guys who were the best in their class in 11th grade didnt amount to shit....a few years later ronnie fields was projected to be the best player ever to come from chicago while he was in hs...howd he turn out?

One of my best friends saw Fields play many times in person. We actually thought about seeing if someone would do a 30 for 30 on him. Had he not broken his neck in a car crash, he would have been a mainstream NBA player. 50 inch verticals......you can't teach those.

[MUHerd37]

The world is ****** up because stuff like this happens, not because people like sports. Contrary to your thoughts, I think Ben's death serves as a reminder to the rest of us that this shit does go on. Yes, his life was no more important than anyone else's......we are all equal. But I don't know the names of everyone that gets killed senselessly. I know Ben's name, and I know that his story is all too familiar to people that live in the ghetto everywhere.

I agree with a lot of what u just said. That's makes me believe even more that u weren't comprehending what I was saying.

[InTheDrink]

I disagree. Nobody is more important than anyone else just because they are good at basketball.

fyi people in inner cities in those days would absolutely disagree with you....guys who grow up with a shot in sports were generally left alone by the thugs, dealers, etc.....thats why wilson's death was so unusual

[Albert Pujols]

I agree with a lot of what u just said. That's makes me believe even more that u weren't comprehending what I was saying.

We're on the same page then, for the most part. I just didn't appreciate how you came across. Seemed like you were saying "oh, well, kids get killed, move along. And he sucked, too."

I guess I misunderstood your tone.

[Albert Pujols]

fyi people in inner cities in those days would absolutely disagree with you....guys who grow up with a shot in sports were generally left alone by the thugs, dealers, etc.....thats why wilson's death was so unusual

This really could have only happened in high school. He accidentally bumped a kid, and the kid was like "yo, you got a problem?" and capped him right there. So senseless and childish. An absolute shame.

[MUHerd37]

We're on the same page then, for the most part. I just didn't appreciate how you came across. Seemed like you were saying "oh, well, kids get killed, move along. And he sucked, too."

I guess I misunderstood your tone.

Yeah, the move along thing is the opposite of what I was trying to say. I lived outside Detroit for a while so I saw a lot of violent youth shit. I wasn't saying he sucked either. I'm just saying that a lot happens between 17 and 28. OJ Mayo played in Middle school ball about a mile from my house. There was an article in Sports Illustrated about him when he was still in middle school talking about how great he would be. It didn't pan out that way and hardly ever does. Lebron James is about the only one who has lived up to the hype. Kobe as well

[coop]

I disagree. Nobody is more important than anyone else just because they are good at basketball.

A person that is the #1 basketball recruit in the country IS more important than other people. To say otherwise is just delusional, wishy washy hippy bullshit.

In this specific case, he was loved by thousands in his inner city. Was obviously already adored by Illinois fans and alums (hundreds of thousands). But yeah.....his life is equally as important as Joe Blow with two kids and a dog from nutsack Tennessee....

gimme a break

[MUHerd37]

A person that is the #1 basketball recruit in the country IS more important than other people. To say otherwise is just delusional, wishy washy hippy bullshit.

In this specific case, he was loved by thousands in his inner city. Was obviously already adored by Illinois fans and alums (hundreds of thousands). But yeah.....his life is equally as important as Joe Blow with two kids and a dog from nutsack Tennessee....

gimme a break

I really don't think his life was any more important. Wow he was a good basketball player. How awesome.

[pulledclear]

[No coincidences]

Typical SBR thread these days.

Good intentions bogged down by trolling, racism and sheer stupidity.

[TexansFan]

Just finished watching it. It was one of the better one's and I thought it was damn good. I was born in 66, he was a few years younger than me.

I could have done without that asswipe Jesse Jackson however.

[pulledclear]

[romecloneout]

haha i love it...fukkin kid who starts the thread is trying to be a big cool guy and gets fukkin buried....hahaha hey thread starter take this shit back to the rx or take it to the fukkin saloon...get the fukk out of here the next jordan...tell wilhelm we said hi

[Albert Pujols]

haha i love it...fukkin kid who starts the thread is trying to be a big cool guy and gets fukkin buried....hahaha hey thread starter take this shit back to the rx or take it to the fukkin saloon...get the fukk out of here the next jordan...tell wilhelm we said hi

What are you talking about?

[TexansFan]

What are you talking about?

He just tossed MUHerds salad so he's in a good mood.

[No coincidences]

Finally got a chance to see this last night. Good piece. Had no idea the kid had climbed to No. 1 in the nation. Was he leaning Illinois? I would think so given how buddy-buddy he was with Nick Anderson.

Interesting angle on interviewing the guy who shot him. I didn't see that coming. That really brought the show all together and made it complete.

What happened to Ben Wilson's son? He'd be like 28 now.

*Edit: missed the end note that he played for Maryland Eastern Shore.

[No coincidences]

I could have done without that asswipe Jesse Jackson however.

Agree. Leave it to this glory hound to turn it into a three-ring circus. Surprised Ben's mom fell for his bullshit.

[Chi_archie]

Very well done by Espn!