People who do illegal things should get punished. That’s called the law.

Does that make Raymond Felton an outlaw?

The New York Knicks point guard was arrested for illegal firearm possession a week ago and, since then, has not missed a game or been disciplined by the Knicks or the NBA. Just yesterday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Felton’s legal problems an “image problem for the league”.

I respect the legal process, and Felton will have his day in court (and 2-7 years in prison if he is found guilty), but I take issue with the phrase “image problem.” Felton getting arrested with an illegal firearm should spark a firestorm. The starting point guard for the Knicks was just arrested carrying an illegal firearm in New York City, where recreational hunting doesn’t exist. There is zero excuse for him to be carrying a gun illegally.

I take issue with Silver, the Knicks and the NBA acting like Felton is a college student who got caught drinking at a frat party, like Johnny Manziel. A little slap on the “image problem” wrist, and just head back to the court, where the Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 games.

The NBA’s Collective Bargaining agreement states that teams may not discipline players based on an arrest. A player cannot be denied his worker’s rights, which is fair, right?

Wrong.

Felton is making upwards of $3 million this year. He isn’t a worker by most traditional definitions of the word. He has put a lot of effort, time and practice into reaching his current position, but his position is unique in the world of labor; he is not a worker, he’s a player.

The Knicks and the NBA should bring down the hammer on Felton and any other player who transgresses this seriously. Bench them. Temporarily strip them of salary, I don’t care, but do something that says, “Hey, we don’t approve of this action. This isn’t the kind of behavior we stand for.”

Buying a gun isn’t a morally wrong thing to do. Buying a gun illegally is, especially for someone in Felton’s position.

Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in the summer of 2003. The event and initial hearings fell outside of the basketball calendar, but the trial was scheduled for September the following year. Prior to the trial, the Los Angeles Lakers gave Kobe a new $136 million contract that spring. The trial never occurred, but Kobe made a public apology outside of court to the alleged victim.

“Sex Offender” has since fallen down Kobe’s list of achievements, past NBA champion, scoring champion and even insufferable teammate. I bet younger Kobe fans don’t even know their favorite player likely sexually assaulted someone while also cheating on his wife.

Why did Kobe get off scot-free?

This isn’t an indictment of privileged professional athletes; it’s one against teams and leagues that are hesitant to make a statement of moral certainty and act on it. The New York Knicks are one of the most visible sports franchises in the world, and owner James Dolan has been silent on the issue of Felton.

Sure, athletes are people, too, and sure people deserve second chances. I’m not attacking athletes. I’m attacking teams, owners and professional sports leagues for letting talent win out over morality. It took Aaron Hernandez allegedly killing someone for the Patriots to release him.

Why should morality take a backseat to selling tickets? The Knicks suck anyway. Bench Felton.

Peter is a freshman in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @pbaileywells22.