Trivializing violence not good look in NBA

Morality court is now in session. All rise for the semihonorable judge Fluster N. Bluster.

First on the docket: The Memphis Grizzlies and their fans. Charged with trivializing violence.

This court finds the defendants guilty as charged. The honorable me will not be gavel-rapping, however, because it’s too much like the tomahawk chop.

Oh, you want an explanation of the court’s verdict? Here goes.

The Grizzlies and their fans, and team management, have adopted “Whoop that trick” as their rally cry. It’s from a rap song by Al Kapone, created for the 2005 movie “Hustle & Flow,” which was filmed in Memphis.

In that movie, which the court has not seen, the main character, played by Terrence Howard, is a pimp attempting to become a rapper. One of his artistic creations is “Whoop That Trick,” which in the movie is originally titled “Beat That B—” (per the website PopMatters). “Trick” can refer to a prostitute’s customer, or to any person with no swagger, ie: a patsy.

This court is not passing judgment on the movie. The last movie this court saw was “The Graduate.”

Furthermore, the court freely admits it is not a scholar of urban culture or rap music, nor is it trying to tell any demographic or ethnic group what they can or cannot say, or sing, or rap. We’re not in the business of censoring or book/movie-burning.

What this court is suggesting is that whooping that trick, whomever the trick might be, is not something that should be celebrated and glorified at 10,000 decibels at a public sporting event. Nor should it be perpetuated, even mockingly, by a member of a visiting team, such as, for example, Stephen Curry.

The court hereby suggests that before each Memphis home game, starting next season, the PA announcer take 10 minutes or so to explain to fans — including the kiddies — why that rally cry is appropriate for this audience and event. Good luck. Next case: Greg Norman vs. Human Decency and Sanity.

Here your honorable judge will place his head on his hand and take a moment, closing his eyes and pondering how a morally bankrupt greedmonger like Greg Norman could actually sink lower.

Norman’s legacy is promoting ruthless, amoral governments. He helped sanitize South Africa’s apartheid regime back in the ’80s by ignoring boycotts and playing in tournaments in that country.

Now Norman is enthusiastically burnishing another pile of dog waste. He is frontman, CEO and chief huckster for the LIV Golf Invitational Tour, a series of tourneys backed by the Saudi Arabian government.

“Look, we’ve all made mistakes,” Norman said of the Saudi government, while talking to reporters at a promotional event, “and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward.”

Those “mistakes” include the murder and dismembering of a journalist for a U.S. newspaper, and assorted human-rights atrocities.

The Great White Shark, who is hereby downgraded to Moral Minnow, said the Saudi leaders have had their say on these matters “and they want to move forward.” Bless their hearts.

As for the Saudi regime’s relentless trampling of gay rights, Norman said, “I’m not sure whether I even have any gay friends, to be honest with you.”

Look, the court is going to delay sentencing, because it’s possible that Norman is purposely embarrassing the Saudis by playing the role of a cartoonish promoter of sociopathic greed.

It’s also possible Norman wears that stupid hat so tightly that it cuts off the blood to his brain. And to his soul.

Next case: Bay-To-Breakers Boss vs. Bay Area Morals.

John Kane, the founder and executive chairman of the company putting on Sunday’s Bay to Breakers race, has donated to the political campaigns of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Matt Gaetz and amateur golf whiz Donald Trump.

How do you feel, all you zany BTB centipedes, knowing you are indirectly supporting a dangerous crew of whacked-out conspiracy theorists seeking to wrest control of the U.S. government?

I understand, you runners and funners participate in this cool event because you love the San Francisco hipness vibe. Hey, this court has participated in the race, once finishing in the top 5,000, thanks to the court’s blistering kick. Literally blistering.

Here’s what the court sentences you runners to do: Run (or walk, amble, lurch, stagger, roll, whatever) the race, enjoy, party, sober up, then donate $50 or more to any worthy cause not endorsed by Citizen Kane.

By the way, the same sentence goes for you fans of the Giants’ and A’s, the respective owners of which have made considerable campaign contributions to political candidates you may find repugnant and/ or frightening.

This court is adjourned.