Tim Hardaway - you bad, bad boy

[Buster T]

Some comments from professional b-baller Tim Hardaway.

Sitting down for a chat with a Miami radio show, the Miami Heat guard insists that he would never play on a team with an openly gay man:
[blockquote]First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because I don't think that is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room.[/blockquote]
Not only does Hardaway not want the homos in the locker room, he doesn't even want them on the planet!
[blockquote]You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States.[/blockquote]
No, all gay people should be launched into the sun. All women can be stuck back in the kitchen, too.


Although, we suppose it's nice he came out as a homophobe. It'll certainly make a lot of people's lives easier. Unfortunately, it will probably make a lot of other people's way more difficult. And, of course, earn Hardaway some enemies.

Hardaway's publicist must have been listening, because a few hours after blasting the *****s, he called back to apologize, saying he didn't mean it. The NBA, however, ain't buying it, they've barred Hardaway from making public appearances on their behalf. Maybe they'll send him of to rehab next...

[ipscshooter]

I predict that he will be entering rehab soon...


[edit] crap...I didn't read all the way to the end of your post.

[Charlie P]

It's his right to say what he wants and it's the NBA's right not to let him speak for the league.

[Buster T]

Hardawaywas born the way he is, its not a choice that he feels the way he does. Why can't we just embrace that and love Tim for who he is ?

[Charlie P]

Why can't we just embrace that and love Tim for who he is ?

From what I read he doesn't swing that way Buster,

Your right he's born that way, will that stop another one of your cliche ridden threads?

[ipscshooter]

ORIGINAL: Charlie P

It's his right to say what he wants and it's the NBA's right not to let him speak for the league.

He's retired, so I don't think he's speaking for the league, or that the NBA can restrain him from speaking his mind. Unless maybe he's got a broadcasting gig somewhere... They can, of course, tell him to shut up at NBA events.

[Charlie P]

The NBA, however, ain't buying it, they've barred Hardaway from making public appearances on their behalf.

Why did the barr him if he wasn't making appearences on their behalf?

[Charlie P]

He's retired, so I don't think he's speaking for the league

You appear to be wrong according to this.

February 15, 2007, 9:37 AM EST

A week after retired center John Amaechi became the first active or former NBA player to publicly acknowledge he was gay, one of the most popular players in Heat franchise history offered a blunt view on homosexuality Wednesday during a radio interview.

Former Heat guard Tim Hardaway, who had been making public appearances for the NBA, said on Miami-based 790 The Ticket he would not have tolerated a gay player on his team and would have asked to have been traded in such a situation or would have asked to have the gay teammate be traded.

"Well, you know, I hate gay people," Hardaway said near the close of an interview that mostly focused on his tenure with the Heat and the team's current state. "I let it be known, I don't like gay people. I don't like to be around gay people.

"Yeah, I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world for that or in the United States for that. So, yeah, I don't like it."

After the NBA learned of Hardaway's comments, a league spokesman said Hardaway had been removed from further league-related appearances.

"It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement to the Sun-Sentinel.

Hardaway was listed Tuesday as an "NBA Legend" when the league launched its NBA FIT program at the YMCA of Southern Nevada and had been part of the NBA's Community Caravan leading up to Sunday's All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

Hardaway played for the Heat from 1996 to 2001.

Shortly after arriving in Las Vegas, agent Henry Thomas, who also represents Heat guard Dwyane Wade, issued a statement through his office from Hardaway that read, "I want to apologize for my comments yesterday regarding gays. My comments were offensive and I regret making them. I'm sorry to anyone I have offended."

However, when contacted by Channel 4 before that statement was issued, Hardaway reiterated the comments he made in the radio interview.

"I don't condone it. And if people got problems with it, I'm sorry. I'm saying I can't stand being around that person, knowing that they sleep with somebody of the same sex," he told the television station, adding he would not talk to a gay family member.

When asked in the radio interview about how he would have dealt with a gay teammate, Hardaway responded, "First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, you know, I would really distance myself from him because I don't think that is right

[ipscshooter]

That's why I put in the second half of my post. I didn't know whether he had some kind of broadcast deal or something, in which casethey can tell him to STFU.

[burniegoeasily]

He is perfectly in his rights to voice his concern. I dont consider myself a homophobe, but Id be very uncomfortable with a homosexual in a locker room with me.