Empty the Bench

Ok, that’s not totally the truth. Pollard didn’t implicitly tell kids to “smoke” drugs—he just instructed them to do drugs, period (video below). The Plain Dealer has the full scoop:

Nobody has ever confused Cavaliers center Scot Pollard with Nancy Reagan. And the former first lady, famous for her anti-drug message, would not have been amused had she seen Pollard look into the camera during Sunday’s telecast of the Cavs’ game against the Indiana Pacers and say, “Hey kids, do drugs.”

Rich Harsar of Lorain certainly doesn’t find it funny. He was at home watching the game with his 11-year-old son, Mason, when the camera panned to Pollard, who was sitting on the bench in street clothes, during a 20-second timeout. Harsar said Pollard initially made a few funny faces and then made the comment, which was audible. Harsar said his son turned to him and asked if Pollard had actually said that. “I was dumbfounded,” Harsar said. “This is six in the evening on a Sunday. This is family time.”

Did you hear that, Scot? It’s family time in the United States, not time for silly jokes directed at a young, impressionable audience. Is this really surprising though? Pollard has to be bored out of his mind, appearing in just 17 contests for the Cavs while notching a paltry 12 points and 19 boards on the entire season. We wouldn’t be surprised if Pollard pops up in a “don’t do drugs” ad any day now as “punishment.”

Thanks to commentor Ben for finding the clip on Youtube.