Yakety-Yak: Do Talk Back

Today, by contrast, trash-talking is an end unto itself. Person knows he should shut up when pitted against the talents (and talkers) like Jordan and Charles Barkley, but admits, "I'll say something to anybody." That's because he views talking less as a weapon than as part of his personal style. When Person's hot, he'll shout at the opposing coach, "Get this f --- ing guy off me. He's killing your team." Next time down the floor, he'll add "It's a H-O-R-S-E game out there for me."

Run and taunt:

Similarly, pro football, with all its posturing, often resembles pro wrestling. Before the advent of NFL stars like "Neon" Deion Sanders, a runningback just used his hands to hold the football. Now the league should transform its punt, pass and kick contest into a run, point and taunt competition. No tackle is too routine, no five-yard gain too meager to become a cause of celebration. "Guys are behind by 30 points and they're running with their fingers in the air," says Will McDonough, NBC's NFL commentator. "Everybody's playing to TV now." Basketball's most famous ex-coach, Red Auerbach, thinks players resort to trash-talking for attention. "If Chuck Person didn't mouth off," says Red, "who would know who he is?" To talk some trash, Chuck would be a non-Person.

Another legendary coach, Paul Brown, counseled players who were overly demonstrative after scoring a touchdown, "Son, act like you've been there before." But today's pros are unlikely to be moved by such old-fashioned notions. They just might take note of Shaquille O'Neal, the sensational- rookie destined to succeed Michael Jordan as the dominant personality in the NBA. After more than holding his own in his first matchup with Dream Team center Patrick Ewing, O'Neal said, "Pat's a great player; I'm a pretty good player." Now that's really talking some trash.

© 1992