THE CINDERELLA EVERYONE LOVED TO HATE
THE 1990 UNLV RUNNIN’ REBELS
Whether you’re posting pictures of your Saturday brunch or keeping in touch with high school classmates, social media has a way of connecting everyone together that wasn’t available before. Unfortunately, it has also dredged up a litany of issues, and for those involved in a court case, social media can be problematic. Social media can be detrimental to your case because your accounts are accessible to everyone, including a jury, the judge, and your opponents. The most important thing to remember is to never post about your case on social media to avoid any perception issues. For plaintiffs in personal injury cases, every word and photo posted has the potential to be twisted by insurance companies to prove compensation isn’t deserved. Furthermore, what you regard as a simple reassurance to your loved ones that you’re okay after an accident could be seen by the defense as a confession of perfect health — regardless of your medical bills. HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR CASE SOCIAL SCRUTINY The early ‘90s was a contentious time in college basketball, full of pure amateur competition. The days of the “one and done” player were far ahead, which meant that all the top-level talent was bred in the hotbed of the NCAA. Players like Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson had to prove their NBA mettle in the grueling basketball tournament we all know as March Madness. It has always showcased the best of the best, but America has always loved an underdog. Last year, audiences adored Loyola Chicago as they made their way to the Final Four. Cinderella teams fill our hearts with hope and optimism, but not all of them are loveable. Perhaps no small school is more polarizing than the UNLV squad that was put together by the late, great Jerry Tarkanian. The team was nasty, flashy, and, most importantly, downright impossible to beat. “The Runnin’ Rebels” ran the court like no team before. Reports have the 1991 Tarkanian squad referring to the Arkansas Razorbacks’ “40 minutes of hell” as “40 minutes of vacation” when it beat the then second-ranked team on its home court. The team embodied swagger and wasn’t afraid to create a splash everywhere it went. Most of the noise wasn’t positive, but when you win the national championship the year prior, a little arrogance is necessary to maintain your “bad guy” image. Formally a small state school known to locals as “Tumbleweed Tech,” UNLV wasn’t even a Division I school until 1970. When
Tarkanian took over in ‘73, the
school went from an institution most acclaimed for its hospitality
program to an NCAA basketball tournament regular. After making their first Final Four appearance in 1977, the team started down a path that would take them to four Elite 8s in five years, and there would be no greater success than the season that came to pass in 1990.
Most games are back-and-forth, with drama centering around every possession. That was not the case during the 1990 national championship game. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski guided his team to the final through steady stellar performances throughout the tournament, and all was well until the legendary program met UNLV’s rowdies. The opening tipoff was about as close as Duke ever got to controlling any part of that game. Anderson Hunt, Stacey Augmon, and Larry Johnson ran the Blue Devils off the court, and the Cinderella team everyone came to hate won 103–73 in the biggest blowout in NCAA tournament history.
as careless and temperamental. Additionally, posting anything illegal or risqué on social media has the potential to be used against you, even when it’s meant to be harmless. Courts have ruled that evidence of illegal activity on social media is admissible in court. Sadly, even your family and friends could face scrutiny. If your mom is posting about how much fun she had at yoga with you while you claim to have sustained damage to your neck or your dad rants on Facebook about how much you want in compensation, you may face accusations of fraud. However, don’t delete your accounts all together. Opponents in your case will question why you were so quick to wipe out your social presence, and your credibility could be tarnished. At Don Turner Legal Team, social media is just one facet of your case where we offer our expert advice. If you have questions or concerns about your case, Don Turner Legal Team can help you. Call 770-594-1777 or visit DonTurnerLegalTeam.com.
If you’re facing criminal charges, a Facebook rant about your political opinions or a post about your new car could be construed
2 | 770-594-1777
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker