Defending and bragging about his lewd comments made in 2005 during a conversation with then-“Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush, Donald Trump said “I am not proud of it. I apologized to my family, I apologized to the American People. Certainly, I am not proud of it. But this is locker room talk.”

Days after this claim, CJ McCollum, who plays for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers, tweeted: “I haven’t heard that one in any rooms.” Doc Rivers, head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Jamal Crawford, a Clippers’ player, led an array of coaches and players who debunked Trump’s silly defense.

Sadly, I am not an NBA analyst like Craig Sager or David Aldridge with clearance to visit locker rooms or to stand at the entrance of locker rooms and eavesdrop on what players talk about. Players and coaches are the best witnesses in this case.

In the wave of this claim and counter defense, a well-respected player, Derrick Rose, who was shockingly ousted by the Chicago Bulls and traded to the New York Knicks at the end of last season, is standing a lurid trial for allegedly drugging and raping his ex-girlfriend. This trial is disturbing, and it should be one of the leading discussions in sports.

Rose’s lawyers have repeatedly tried to smear his ex-girlfriend rather than providing prima facie evidence to prove their client’s innocence. I am naïve to judicial proceedings, and it would be premature to render a judgment here. But it is heartbreaking to note that Rose has testified about a sexual encounter in a very disgraceful manner.

When asked in court about his failure to reply the next day, Rose said, “I thought she was going to claim rape.”  Rose added that the NBA rookie program teaches players to never leave  their condoms behind after sexual encounters

Trump said when you are a star, they will let you do it. Rose is telling us you can have sex with your ex-girlfriend along with two friends whenever. At this point, I lost all my respect for Rose. When a player behaves this way, he brings a dark cloud not on just himself, but the entire league. And the fact that he has dragged the NBA into this is a reason for the association to issue a statement rebuking Rose’s action and to clarify their condoms lessons.

Again, don’t get me wrong. It is the court that must decide his innocence. But my pity lies in the fact that women must be seen as some sex material by the opposite sex, especially an athlete. Even consensually, an athlete going this route was gross.

It is bizarre to note that we are discussing rape allegations without a protection of anonymity. I just can’t imagine how disgusting she will feel for life if she isn’t the victor.

I am not saddened by this nasty occurrence just because I am a suburban Chicago man who should be a big fan of Rose. I am  an avid Houston Rockets fan. But Rose has brought  public disrepute to the NBA and the many decent fellas who play the ball game.

Shamelessly, Rose should’ve offered a public apology this distraction has caused the Knick’s family but instead chose to argue that the lady is out for money. OK, Rose, you are right. On the contrary, getting away with this will save you some cash but not “boos” from the fans in the Garden or elsewhere.

Rose is claiming that he and his friends having sex with his ex-girlfriend is something normal in Los Angeles. OK, so are we to think all guys in L.A. engage in something nasty like what Rose did? This should be one reason why Rose should be booed if he is lucky to face either the Clippers or Lakers very soon. Los Angeles must disassociate itself from this terrible innuendo.

Rose failed to realize that he isn’t just a star, but an athlete that thousands, perhaps millions, of fans look up to. Our next generations of athletes are being told to behave this way. Athletes should behave professionally since this is a job, too.

A politician is claiming that lewd conversations and actions are the hallmarks of locker rooms. Rose’s action was a choice and not a mistake. I am still here waiting for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s verdict aside from what the court will render.