Gerald and pictures? [Archive]

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anon

03-20-2011, 08:44 PM

SeattleIrish

03-20-2011, 08:46 PM

I spotted Gerald in the Duke section at today's game (chatting with Marshall Plumlee) and asked him for a picture. He was kind, but said that he doesn't "do pictures anymore." I found this really strange, especially since not only was he was in the Duke fan section but also at his home NBA stadium.

Did something happen to Gerald that I didn't hear about that would make him hesitant to take pictures with fans?

He now believes each picture steals a small part of his soul. And, really, how much soul can one reasonably be expected to share?

s.i.

Rich

03-20-2011, 08:49 PM

ksimp112

03-20-2011, 09:09 PM

Maybe with the popularity of Facebook today, he doesn't want any picture of himself on anybody's profile.

DukeFanSince1990

03-20-2011, 09:20 PM

He's a vampire. Thats how he jumps so high.

ajgoodfella7

03-20-2011, 09:22 PM

Because he realizes that photos just bring him bad press:

http://fayobserver.com/fayobserver.com/files/db/dbed11a3-a39d-4493-84c1-2b73b8c0fe59.jpg

anon

03-20-2011, 09:30 PM

Because he realizes that photos just bring him bad press:

http://fayobserver.com/fayobserver.com/files/db/dbed11a3-a39d-4493-84c1-2b73b8c0fe59.jpg

I figured it might have had something to do with this. There were a ton of Carolina fans in that building.

uh_no

03-20-2011, 09:30 PM

I spotted Gerald in the Duke section at today's game (chatting with Marshall Plumlee) and asked him for a picture. He was kind, but said that he doesn't "do pictures anymore." I found this really strange, especially since not only was he was in the Duke fan section but also at his home NBA stadium.

Did something happen to Gerald that I didn't hear about that would make him hesitant to take pictures with fans?

Its up to him. If he had granted it to you, he likely would have had to spend the rest of his time there taking pictures with people. I can't blame him for just wanting to enjoy the game. If you spotted him outside, perhaps he would have been more open to the idea.

ajgoodfella7

03-20-2011, 09:33 PM

Its up to him. If he had granted it to you, he likely would have had to spend the rest of his time there taking pictures with people. I can't blame him for just wanting to enjoy the game. If you spotted him outside, perhaps he would have been more open to the idea.

That's what I'm guessing as well... was just joking with the picture. In all likelihood, he probably has fulfilled so many requests the past few years, that he just wanted to enjoy himself and be a fan at the game today.

uh_no

03-20-2011, 09:43 PM

That's what I'm guessing as well... was just joking with the picture. In all likelihood, he probably has fulfilled so many requests the past few years, that he just wanted to enjoy himself and be a fan at the game today.

Given it didn't look like he enjoyed himself at the national title game last year. I can't imagine he didn't wish he was a part of it. Personally if I saw him I'd thank him for his time at Duke and wish him the best in his NBA career. Can't argue with his decision to go pro though. I feel bad for the guy that his time came to pass the year before we went the distance.

As a sort of anecdote for how I kind of feel sorry (well...as sorry as you can feel for someone making that kind of money) for players so good that they can make the decision to forgo part of their college career:

When Kobe is asked if he ever regrets not playing college ball he his answer is "every march."

kinda sad in my opinion

Newton_14

03-20-2011, 09:49 PM

That's what I'm guessing as well... was just joking with the picture. In all likelihood, he probably has fulfilled so many requests the past few years, that he just wanted to enjoy himself and be a fan at the game today.

Time an place. I think we as fans sometimes overstep our bounds, and should respect their privacy. Gerald is a former player attending the game to root his former teammates on. Just my opinion, but I feel we should respect his space there, say hello, and move on.

Like someone else mentioned, if he grants one photo that opens the door to X amount of Duke fans in attendance expecting the same thing.

WiJoe

03-20-2011, 10:00 PM

Sorry, good people. I will NEVER feel sorry for anyone who leaves school early and doesn't look happy when a team he could have played on wins the national championship. NEVER.

Newton_14

03-20-2011, 10:11 PM

Sorry, good people. I will NEVER feel sorry for anyone who leaves school early and doesn't look happy when a team he could have played on wins the national championship. NEVER.

I am sorry but if anyone thinks Gerald Henderson was not pulling for Duke against Butler last year with all his heart, soul, and mind, is a lunatic. I am sure he probably thought about the fact he could have been out there, but to suggest Gerald was not happy HIS TEAM won is crazy.

anon

03-20-2011, 10:15 PM

Time an place. I think we as fans sometimes overstep our bounds, and should respect their privacy. Gerald is a former player attending the game to root his former teammates on. Just my opinion, but I feel we should respect his space there, say hello, and move on.

Like someone else mentioned, if he grants one photo that opens the door to X amount of Duke fans in attendance expecting the same thing.

My person opinion is that it comes with the territory. He is a celebrity and makes millions of dollars a year. He can deal with it. Obviously he has every right to decline a fan's request, but to suggest that he has some sort of extra right to privacy in a public arena is silly. (That's why they invented luxury boxes! ;) )

ajgoodfella7

03-20-2011, 10:18 PM

When Kobe is asked if he ever regrets not playing college ball he his answer is "every march."

I regret every day that Kobe didn't come to Duke for a year.

uh_no

03-20-2011, 10:21 PM

I regret every day that Kobe didn't come to Duke for a year.

Providence doesn't....they enjoyed their elite 8 appearance that year :P

Gewebe14

03-20-2011, 10:57 PM

Gerald is awesome, but we had a "meet and greet" with him as part of the Duke club of Charlotte the other week and he was NOT very friendly. He said nothing, signed autographs for about 5 minutes and basically got out of there as quickly as he possibly could. I know he's a "celebrity" but lets be serious I highly doubt he is signing autographs and having his picture taken all the time -- I was definitely surprised he wasn't more proactive.

It was right after they had played the bulls and he had a great game, but the team lost.

Starter

03-20-2011, 11:29 PM

Sorry, good people. I will NEVER feel sorry for anyone who leaves school early and doesn't look happy when a team he could have played on wins the national championship. NEVER.

This sounds like the perspective of someone who's never had to make the decision Henderson did. I'm not saying anyone in that spot should be upset when their old team wins -- and I doubt Henderson is (http://twitter.com/#!/GhJr09/status/7479241411141633) -- but I think it might be a little bittersweet. It'd be akin to a student who graduated in the Class of 2009 from Duke. You know and love the players that won a championship, but there has to be a part of you that feels a little jealous that you weren't there for it.

Kdogg

03-21-2011, 07:19 PM

This type of policy is not uncommon for a pro athlete and I understand why. The athlete has no idea about the guy or girl posing with him in the picture. Sure he's probably just a fan but he could be a drug dealer, a game fixer, a sociopath, etc... A harmless picture could lead to a can of worms so why chance it in this day and age. Grant Hill learned the hard way. When he was young, he never thought twice about taking pictures with fans.
Early in his career with Detroit, he was snapped with a Pistons fan who had an unsavory pasted. Of course Grant didn't know and he learned a lesson. This was before the age of the internet, facebook and twitter so you can only image what it would be like today.

allenmurray

03-21-2011, 07:42 PM

During a tournament game the camera panned to John Stockton. The announcer remarked that Stockton specifically asked to be seated in the middle of the row rather than on the aisle so he could watch the game and not deal with autograph requests. Each autograph or photo takes only a minute - FOR US. But 200 of them in a row means the player/celebrity never gets to do anyting else.

_TheFakeJWill_

03-21-2011, 07:45 PM

I was lucky enough to see Mason Plumlee in CVS and was a total fan boy and asked for a picture... He said OK and was really cool about it. Highlight of 2011... Thanks Mason :)

moonpie23

03-21-2011, 09:24 PM

I'm sure that Gerald was thinking about what it would have been like to be on the title team, however:

1907

He'll just have to live with that.

elvis14

03-21-2011, 10:42 PM

A few years back when the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament were at the RBC center I ended up sitting about 20 rows behind Torry Holt (WR NCSU and the St. Louis Rams). Torry was there one day with his friends and the next day with a youth and some friends. After two days of sitting behind him and watch him take pictures with fans, sign autographs, etc and be extremely outgoing, polite, pleasant the whole time I became a huge TH fan. He was especially gracious and upbeat to kids and their parents. People let him be when the ball was in play but during extended timeouts and halftime people would come down to meet him. He turned no one away, had a smile that lit up the the room and took it all in stride. His friend were also very polite and accommodating.

I have to admit that when I hear Gerald deny a Duke fan a picture it is a little disappointing and I think it's appropriate for the OP to ask if there was something unknown as opposed to ripping G! I like G! and wish nothing but the best for him.

DukeBlueNikeShox

03-22-2011, 04:05 PM

And why would anybody want a picture with Gerald Henderson? :confused: #Confused

uh_no

03-22-2011, 04:45 PM

And why would anybody want a picture with Gerald Henderson? :confused: #Confused

G can fly, baby!

cbnaylor

03-22-2011, 04:45 PM

I had the same experience with Elden Campbell when he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. I was WAY younger at the time and wanted to get my picture taken with him at Carowinds while we were standing in line for the same ride. He had his little boy with him and said that there's a time and place for that and right now isn't the time. Of course I was a little mad about this being that I was so young but now looking back on it, it makes sense. I've carried that principle with me ever since. I know asking to get G's picture during a game is around his environment but he's a guest during that event. The time to ask for this is after his game's or at some signing event.

SupaDave

03-22-2011, 06:12 PM

Let me tell you that fandom is a funny and unique thing. Grown men that normally command respect turn into little kids right before your very eyes - and you can see it happen. There are times when it's appropiate and times when it most definitely is not. There probably should be rules but usually most would break them anyway.

Why would they break them? Well because there's this sense of entitlement that because someone makes a lot of money then well - he owes you something (see above). There's a different standard for athletes and entertainers. I definitely can't recall seeing Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jerry Krause, or even Mark Cuban ever being mobbed for autographs/photos.

It's hard for the average citizen to understand that although that guy makes more money than you he still gets a paycheck just like you (hopefully). He could be living check to check - just like the majority of America. Rare is the athlete that doesn't change his lifestyle after being in the pros for a little while (and some of it is absolutely necessary to get ANY kind of tax break) but usually they tend to want to live the same kinds of lives they have always lived (for example - I happen to know that Gerald is generally a pretty reserved fellow).

Most athletes are gracious and some truly LOVE their fans. Most also know the fickle nature of fans as well. Ron Artest has a real love for any fan he can get and will travel to obscure parts of California for autograph sessions. Some sessions for only 2 grand a pop. Chump change in his world.

Then there are those that just get it. As an example, when I was in high school I personally asked Grant how he dealt with all the attention (after witnessing some females go stark freaking mad in front of us). In a nutshell, he basically said that his worth was in every autograph and every picture. Great advice too. Grant has always had a deep understanding in the value of people.

But back to rules - I thought I'd think of a few to help out. I want you all to be able to get that perfect photo but you have to remember that it's all in the approach (for example - I have a picture of me, Puffy, and Jay-Z in South Beach b/c I reminded Puffy of a party we went to years ago).

So...

if a guy is eating - don't approach him (you hear Eminem say this constantly)
if a guy is drinking - don't approach him (just ask Charles Barkley about that)
if a guy is with his girl - leave him alone cause he's got enough on his mind
if a guy is with his children - let the family be
if the guy is a spectator - be discreet, most of you wouldn't run up on Ron Artest like that and the rest of the players deserve the same respect

But if this same guy is in uniform or at a corporate sponsored function - then feel free to yack it up. He'll be dressed for pictures as well. After games there's usually a free for all autograph session. As much as you WANT these guys to be free - they aren't. EVERYONE pays for their time and if they aren't being paid then they're probably paying somebody for whatever you catch them doing.

Some pointers, if it isn't corporate sponsored in some way - don't pull out a basketball or ask them to sign your jersey. That's ridiculous. If you see a guy out on the town, don't be a creep and ogle the guy - buy him a drink or pay his tab. I promise that will get you some pictures. Talking to athletes/enterainers is a lot like talking to women. You don't just ask a woman for her phone number as soon as you meet her (unless you are as incredibly good looking as myself) so you use a bit more discretion when approaching an athlete. It's one thing to meet a fan that's genuinely concerned but it's a whole other thing when you get approached with a pen in hand - it's like "who are you?"

People didn't like A.I. early on because they didn't have access to him - but this was all by design so look for the signs. If there's a guy standing in front of you with a pen in hand, it's probably best to double back in some way. I mean, what kinda man waits in line for another man's signature when it's not on a check?

See Donovan McNabb at a Subway? He's probably fair game. See him at an expensive restaurant? Well aren't you there to eat?

Let your manhood be the guide to your fanhood. And if you can't do that, look from afar and get to be the guy that gets to say "I saw Charles Barkley throw a guy threw a window." B/c that's just as cool...

anon

03-23-2011, 01:54 AM

Why would they break them? Well because there's this sense of entitlement that because someone makes a lot of money then well - he owes you something (see above). There's a different standard for athletes and entertainers. I definitely can't recall seeing Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jerry Krause, or even Mark Cuban ever being mobbed for autographs/photos.

I agree with most of what you say, but isn't this a bit contradictory? I don't think it's about the money but rather the profession. If you choose to go into the entertainment business (of which professional sports is a subset), people do you expect you to be gracious with fans and the media (which feeds the fans), in general. This is the reason why people like Barry Bonds and Albert Belle have such a bad rapport with the public. Gates, Jobs, and Cuban do not have the same expectation of them, because they are businessmen, not entertainers. Inversely, as someone else posted, those athletes who do make an effort to interact with their fans are often some of the most admired.

(Let me reiterate, though: athletes certainly are not *obliged* to interact with fans, and their choice not to, for whatever reason, is fine with me. I harbor no ill will toward Gerald—I just was wondering if there were some known reason for his decision.)

evrim

03-23-2011, 02:45 AM

Not everybody has to be a very social person. Some people just are not super social or friendly (as opposed to be unfriendly).

i sometimes think about how people who are famous go about living their life - they can't go anywhere without being bothered and if they are not the most outgoing person to start out with, it will be a hard life.

SupaDave

03-23-2011, 07:48 AM