I appreciate this post as an articulate statement of the point of view I've been pushing against. I think there's a possibility that something like this happened. If it did there would still be a lot of questions to ask about how it was presented by Adam Herman and the idea that a lot of spin is being served and eaten up on the topic resonates with me too.
I think Miller's agent's statement is pretty clear, I don't see how it is a soft rebuttal.
“It’s K’Andre’s understanding that the NYR equipment manager, or whoever is responsible for getting it, has the puck and that it’s being framed like other first goals. At no time did he think otherwise.”
Neither were the statements by the team. They didn't dodge the issue, they categorically said it was false meaning if other facts come to light they will be in a very bad spot. What we see in the video also doesn't really jibe with the narrative.
The idea that the Rangers might be motivated to hide their dirty laundry isn't crazy, and this narrative hinges on that completely. The idea that Herman has DeAngelo Derangement Syndrome (sorry) isn't crazy either. I genuinely don't know what to believe here.
I'd still encourage anyone who finds the issue interesting (for me it is because it is a bit of a microcosm of bigger issues) and wants to have perspective on it, I suggest you watch the highlights of the goal. It goes like this...
DeAngelo, playing on the offensive goal line (of course) when Miller takes a point shot, instantly celebrates the goal and continues towards the net to retrieve the puck. No way he's faking happiness at the goal, or unaware who scored it. Then we see the celebration, which DeAngelo joins last because we was retrieving the puck. Miller is waiting for him to arrive after celebrating with the others and they fist bump then hug. This just doesn't look like two people who dislike (or are even ambivalent about) each other, or one who is about to prank another for racial reasons (who happens to have 5 inches height and 25lbs on him, how's that going to go?) Maybe DeAngelo really is like a cartoon villain and attempted this. Just seems far fetched. A friendly prank is more plausible, but still seems doubtful given the statements by agent and team.
If we really want the truth MSG would likely have the relevant video -- the broadcast has a camera cut right before DeAngelo would have been seen skating by the trainer(?) with the towel on his shoulder who is gesturing for the puck. It also looks like he turns and hands something to another guy who turns and goes down the tunnel, but I can't say it looked puck-like unless it had been put inside something.
I'm not saying DeAngelo is getting shafted, that he isn't a locker room problem, a jerk, or even that he didn't try to play a prank. My problem is that people want to mesh a bunch of embellished ideas into a narrative that makes someone an irredeemable racist when there really isn't any evidence of it. Herman is definitely playing it that way. He may have some inside knowledge to justify that which he isn't at liberty to share, but the ends don't justify the means. We shouldn't just believe something because it suits our purposes.
Since you said you don't want internet debate club I don't expect a response, but again, I do appreciate your long thoughtful post amidst the superficial hot takes.
