NBA Star Says Shark Attacks Don’t Exist
NBA star and blogger Gilbert Arenas says there are no such things as “shark attacks” in his latest blog entry…
There Are No Such Thing as Shark Attacks
I know this is random, but I just want to clear this up for people out there.There are these things called shark attacks, but there is no such thing as a shark attack. I have never seen a real shark attack.
I know you’re making a weird face as you’re reading this. OK people, a shark attack is not what we see on TV and what people portray it as.
We’re humans. We live on land.
Sharks live in water.
So if you’re swimming in the water and a shark bites you, that’s called trespassing. That is called trespassing. That is not a shark attack.
A shark attack is if you’re chilling at home, sitting on your couch, and a shark comes in and bites you; now that’s a shark attack. Now, if you’re chilling in the water, that is called invasion of space. So I have never heard of a shark attack.
When I see on the news where it’s like, “There have been 10 shark attacks,†I’m like, “Hey, for real?! They’re just running around? Sharks are walking now, huh! We live on the land, we don’t live underwater.â€
I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not, but I found it really funny. I liked when he wrote, “Hey, for real?” Because that is exactly how I’d say it.
There are many different types of environments here on earth to include those on land and water. For starters, various types of professions and hobbies take us daily to these environments. On land we have alligator, bear, and snakes attacks, these creatures live on land with us. With that in mind, when we use the terminology of “shark attacks” it is no different than that of a “bear attack” or any other attack that may occur on land. NBA Star, I would have to disagree with your comment and belief on “shark attacks”. From my personal experience on surfing the East Coast and places around for more than 18 years, I have seen many…many different types of sharks over the years. There behavior most of the time is not violent, or life threatening. It is almost that they have accepted us “humans” as part of there own environment, especially where many people frequent….bath, surf, and swim in the waters such as the East Coast.
Over the years, I have surfed places such as Sandbridge, VA, and Avon, N.C., where two fatal shark attacks have occurred, and there is no difference. Some tend to disagree, but I still believe that we are not on the dinner menu, and sharks will not vector in on us for any other reason than a mistake!! So Mr. Gilbert trespassing is not correct, humans “most of the time†have no intention to violate sharks space, or environment. I would more like classify trespassing to like sticking your hand inside of a beehive, or walking inside a lion’s den!! Rethink this, leave the court sometime and go swimming!! Don’t rely on everything you read……get some personal experience under your belt that might be a good start!!
With all great respect, Frank
I think he’s an idiot.
Er – how about Recife Brazil?
Since 1992, there have been 47 shark attacks along a 20-km (12.5-mile) stretch of coast. Sixteen of them were fatal.
In 2004, there were seven reported attacks. Two of the victims died.
Moreover, these attacks are genuine predation – there is no doubt swimmers are being attacked there as food. Researchers think it is happening because the local reef was destroyed and fish are now scarce.
Honestly I’m with Gilbert Arenas – we ARE in the shark’s territory, mimicking its main food source – seals and sea lions. If you’ve ever been below a surfboard and below a seal or sea lion, you know how much alike the two look.
“A shark attack is if you’re chilling at home, sitting on your couch, and a shark comes in and bites you; now that’s a shark attack.”
We are rapidly moving towards the time where that will happen!
I wish, Brenda, i wish.
I really hope everyone who posted read the full post…because he makes a VERY good case, and I admit, this is probably one of the most intelligent statements ever made by a celebrity in the history of Jesus.
I really do like that train of thought though, ’tis very realistic
no wonder he’s just a basketball player. facetious twaddle.
There is a reason why he is not a marine biologist or even a shark expert. Blah blah blah, same old crap that spills out from every corner of the globe with no scientific thought. Think…Does a shark attack a seal for its meal…yes, does a lion attack a buck for its meal…yes, does a jaguar attack a caiman in the water for its meal…yes, so when a shark mistakes a human for a prey item is its intent to feed, this is an attack, when its an exploratory bite its an attack too….attack is not restricted to a gang banger breaking into someones apartment and chewing them up with ’45′s or 9mm’s, its interspecies, not species specific.
I agree with you One Tough Cookie, he does make a good point, we are invading their living space. Come on he is not being stupid or anything he is just basically making a point to stop making it sound like the shark is just doing it to do it or because they like to eat us, that is just in the sharks nature to bite now and ask questions later. I agree with the NBA guy can’t we just call them shark bites instead of attacks they don’t do it as a premeditated thing they do it because that’s their nature to bite. Either way it’s a funny funny comment!!
Have you asked a shark SharkB8 if they like to bite now and ask questions later especially tigers or bulls who have come back at attack victims and ripped limbs off until they have filled their needs…..or a great white which made multiple attacks on its victim after its “first initial taste test”. They may not like the way we taste but sometimes kids dont like the way vegetables taste and then later on in life they end up eating vegetables. His comments are really stupid and ignorant.
this was a comedy routine on some comedy show. was pretty funny.
i love this post. it really made me think about how we really are invading the shark’s territory. sharks are just like any other creature on earth, and dont just go and attack a person because they feel like it. and by the way, there are many reasons why sharks will take multiple exploratory bites on a human.
like what haylee…multiple exploratory bites…you need to learn more about different shark feeding behaviour before you spurt out crap…so give us those reasons then!
waz, you are such a shark hater.
If you go swim in the ocean, then it’s your fault if something decides you are lunch.
Live with it.
you shark hater, you.
I actually have a healthy repect for sharks and have worked with them in the sciences field in one of the sharkiest places in the world. I have been face to face with Great white, tigers, ragged tooth and many others, I have witnessed what an attack does, I have seen their majesty in the water, so at no time should you ever try and tell me who I am. You are one of those pathetic shark week armchair experts. so pixelkitty, jump into the ocean, get first hand experience and go learn something and then maybe try and present an informed arguement….you sound plain stupid…well done, you got the reaction you were looking for.
lol i think he is just making some humor people, dont take him to seriously. and he has a good point joking or not
Waz, are you from South Africa?
I agree with the comment Waz first made, that hes talking total crap about the difference in meaning behind the phrase ‘attack’, although i also believ that wen ppl venture out to sea they should be aware that they ARE in the territory of other creatures and that we are foreign to them. A shark may see us and think ‘is that a seal?’ and if it has neva encounterd a human b4, may jump to the conclusion that it must be prey becos it has a vague similarity. I dont believe sharks hunt humans as humans, we are not part of their food chain and i doubt ever will become a stable part of their food chain. Just wat i think so dont freak out on me! LOL
You wouldn’t walk around a lion’s cage would you?
Sharky…spent many a decade in SA, now off in the oceans on the other side of the world
Since when is an attack not an attack. When someone mistakinly beats the crap out of you with a baseball bat what is that then called. An “attack” even mistaken identity in the natural world is an attack.
*knock knock*
candy gram !!
package delivery !!
I agree completely with Mr. Arenas..well written and enjoyable to read article!
******* okay he has a point!!
We’re in a sharks home….. in the ocean….
But there is a shark attack you know.
I love sharks, yade yaddaa….. i study them…. they’re rare.
But let me tell this dude something:
” NBA STAR, I BELIEVE YOU ARE GOING TO IGNORE PARTICULAR PROBLEM UNTIL IT SWIMS UP AND BITES YOU IN THE ASS!” sorry… that’s from Jaws……. of course…..
i love it! BUT THIS GUY IS AN IDIOT. HE’S KINDA OF RIGHT. WE ARE ENTERING “THEIR WORLD” BUT A SHARK IS A SHARK. AND AN ATTACK, IS AN ATTACK. SHARK + ATTACK = SHARK ATTACK. MAYBE IT SHOULD BE CALLED HUMAN ATTACK.
WHATEVER, HE’S STILL AN IDIOT EITHER WAY, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
anyone who bashed gilbert’s comments is an idiot. try getting a sense of humor.
i love SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!