Just sitting here at work and I see that Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were expelled for the NBA Rookie Orientation Program this morning.  That is less than 24 hours after they got there.  Apparently, some of the security for the NBA found marijuana in the room and that was the basis for them getting the boot.  Also, it was rumored that Michael Beasley was in the room too.  That's not a good thing if he was.

It looks as though the two will be fined at least 20K and then start the season on a suspension.

Now, if the NBA doesn't test for marijuana, how can they fine or suspend anyone for using?  If the players are not arrested, then I don't see how the NBA can step in here.  If the NBA really wants to put their foot on the throat of marijuana use, then they need to start testing players for it.  If they don't want this to happen again, then they need to ban it from the NBA.  Does David Stern really want his league's image ruined by the rampant use of weed?  Does he really think it looks good when someone like Josh Howard admits to smoking in the offseason or when Carmelo Anthony, Damon Stoudamire, and Rasheed Wallace are arrested for possession?  I don't touch the stuff and I don't really care who does, but if it is illegal, then it is illegal. 

So, David Stern, what are you going to do now?  It's not fair to punish someone for something that you don't even test for, especially when those players were not arrested for their "crime."  Is he trying to send a message?  "Hey, you can't smoke this stuff while you are a rookie.  You can only do that after your first season, then feel free to smoke as much as you want.  Hell, you can even go on a radio show and talk about it and not get into trouble.  Just be sure it's after your rookie season."

I certainly hope that the two young men don't get unfairly punished for something that 80% to 90% of the NBA is already doing.

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