NBA Rookie Camp Lesson No. 1: Don't Smoke Dope at NBA Rookie Camp

There is a good deal of disagreement among the greater community of citizen judges when it comes to grown adults and marijuana. Some think it's not a big deal, others want heads lopped off. It's a similar sentiment when you break it down to a sporting population: many would argue it's fine in the offseason, others see it as an unforgivable offense for someone making so much dang money. The NBA, for whatever reason, is at center stage in this war over whether we should give two shakes to whether our athletes burn.

In the interest of unity, then, let me offer a basic tenet I believe we can all subscribe to: it is a bad idea to smoke dope while at a rookie camp which has the central aim of telling you not to smoke dope. The NBA's rookie camp does that and more: league officials go over basic rules of conduct, offer lessons on money management and fiscal prudence, educate educate educate. The anti-drug facet is a major pillar, by all accounts.

Kansas products Mario Chalmers of the Heat and Darrell Arthur of Memphis got busted with marijuana in their hotel room at the camp, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard. The pair got sent home. Fines and suspensions are on the way. (Also, I assume they didn't get their weed back.)

I guess when you're fiendin' you're fiendin' ... but seriously: at least wait until rookie camp is over, OK? There are, like, 51 weeks out of the year when you're not sitting under the eagle-eyed watch of Secaucus. Use your noodle. (Also: Marcus Banks, opening night starter for your Miami Heat!)

What Were They Thinking?

Heat rookie Mario Chalmers, left, and Grizzlies rookie Darrell Arthur were thrown out of the NBA's rookie transition program Wednesday after reportedly being caught with marijuana in their hotel room. They wouldn't be the only athletes to be booted or suspended for a foolish act, though.

Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Nebraska wrestler Paul Donahoe, above, was one of two athletes kicked off the Huskers wrestling team on August 12 after nude pictures of them appeared on a pornographic website.

Carlos Osorio, AP

Georgia linebacker Darius Dewberry, center, was suspended after vandalizing a hospital. Dewberry, the sixth Bulldog to be disciplined in the offseason, broke a parking lot barrier and four potted plants in early August.

John Amis, AP

Josh Jarboe, an incoming freshman player at Oklahoma, was dismissed from the football team August 1 by head coach Bob Stoops after a video of him rapping about guns and shooting people appeared on the Internet.

You Tube

Oklahoma guard Jenna Plumley was suspended indefinitely on July 14 following an alleged petty shoplifting incident. Police said Plumley was stopped by store personnel at Wal-Mart with cosmetics in her possession.

Alonzo Adams, AP

Former Florida State star Peter Warrick was charged with grand theft in 1999 after he reportedly attempted to fleece a department store in a pricing scam with then-teammate Laveranues Coles. Warrick received a two-game suspension from the Seminoles and Coles was kicked off the team.

Mark Foley, AP

Ex-MLB outfielder Ruben Rivera was voted off the Yankees by his teammates following a spring training game in 2002. Rivera took Derek Jeter's glove and bat and sold them to a sports memorabilia dealer, reportedly for $2,500.

Peter Cosgrove, AP

Florida safety Jamar Hornsby was kicked off the team in May after being charged with using a credit card issued to Ashley Slonina, a student who died in an October 2007 motorcycle accident. Hornsby was accused of using the dead woman's credit card 70 times for a total of $3,000 in charges.

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In July 2007, tennis player Anastasia Rodionova became the second player on the WTA Tour to be disqualified from a match when she smacked a ball toward fans rooting for her opponent at the Cincinnati Women's Open.

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Five Alabama players, including lineman Marlon Davis, pictured, were suspended in October 2007 for a violation of school policy involving the receipt of textbooks. Following the incident, the university launched an investigation into the distribution of textbooks to athletes on scholarship in all sports.

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