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2:20 p.m. ET, 2/15/07

Tim Hardaway: Moron

Posted by Jack McCallum
Tim Hardaway has created a new legacy for himself by saying what he feels about gay people.
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Before his memorable interview on a Miami radio station Tuesday afternoon, Tim Hardaway was destined to go down as the hard-as-nails king of the crossover dribble. Now he'll go down as something else: The hard-as-nails king of the crossover dribble and an utter moron.

There is no other word to describe Hardaway. He is a moron. He would never have been confused with a Rhodes Scholar when he was playing, but it wasn't until Tuesday that the utter depths of his ignorance showed through.

By now you know that when asked about former player John Amaechi's coming-out-of-the-closet memoir, Hardaway told host Dan LeBatard: he wouldn't want a gay player on his team; he would ask that a gay player be traded; it would be hard to win with a gay teammate; a gay teammate shouldn't be in the locker room with other teammates; and, finally, to wrap it all up, "I don't like gay people, and it [homosexuality] shouldn't be in the world or the United States."

Hardaway has since, predictably, offered a tepid apology but not a retraction. Nor should he. His words were chosen carefully. He meant what he said. In fact, I've already heard Hardaway being defended for "speaking his mind" and that "he has as much right as anyone to give his opinion." Of course he does. I'm not questioning Hardaway's right to say what he feels -- I'm criticizing the hatred and ignorance that is in Hardaway's mind, which is the mind of a moron.

It would be a mistake to take the opinions of morons like Hardaway and declare them to be the defining sensibility of the Sports World, whatever that might be. I'm not sure that sensibility can be easily defined. But now that Hardaway's comments and the overall subject of homosexuality in sports are out there, it's time for clear-thinking team leaders to step forward and do the right thing. That's you Shaquille O'Neal, you Kobe Bryant, you Steve Nash, you Dirk Nowitzki, you Ray Allen. It's time for you to say that what came out of King Crossover's mouth is crap and that anyone who feels that way is a moron.

You don't have to use that word, though. It's pretty strong. But it's also accurate.
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Comments:

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Posted: 3:32 PM   by Anonymous
Moronic of you to call him a moron? Maybe.
Posted: 3:34 PM   by William F.
Hardaway should have chosen his comments better. No one should be hated. Hate the SIN, not the SINNER. There is a difference.
Posted: 3:34 PM   by Oscar
Right on Jack! Hardaway's actions can only be described as moronic. Anyone with so much hate in their hearts and minds is absolutely pathetic. And I wouldn't at all be surprised if Timmy was a closet case too with his supremely strong homophobia. If I find out he's Catholic too, case closed.
Posted: 3:35 PM   by rltree
Who cares. Freedom of speech is still free last time I checked.
Posted: 3:35 PM   by Anonymous
Media personnel get to prop up their opinions as intelligent and thought-provoking, but a former athlete provides his opinion and he is a moron. If he feels that way, then so be it. By the way, who really cares if Amaechi is gay? The media played this out so much more than what it is worth.
Posted: 3:36 PM   by Anonymous
People that say they HATE others need to understand that those uninformed comments are no different than racial or religous hatred. It is a form or similar to the illogical rasist ideas/ideals.
The world needs to stop hating and attempt to respect others ways of lives, religions and race.
Posted: 3:36 PM   by Anonymous
Excellent and I agree 100% - Haraway is a complete moron. As a black male, Haraway should understand just how painful discrimination can be. Clearly, he is no better the the Nazis.
Posted: 3:37 PM   by Anonymous
Wow, what an idiot he is. I have always wondered why people care about who is gay, and who is not. I could care less. In pro sports or in office settings: What goes on in their bedrooms is none of my business, and I don't want it to be.
Posted: 3:37 PM   by Anonymous
I never knew it was against our civil liberties to be censured. Hardaway feels that way because of either religion or personal experience. Either way, you nor I cannot stop him and if professionl athletes felt so strong about their homosexuality, then let them "come out of the closet".
Posted: 3:37 PM   by gc
I think on this front we should recognize the reasonable and fairly enlightened comments made by Doc Rivers and Isiah Thomas on the topic last week. I was encouraged last week to read them. On one hand, that shows the sad state of the debate on this issue, since those comments, which basically said "I don't have a problem with it, and I would make sure no one on my team does, either", are simply the position that every boss/employer should hold, and the one that has become accepted in most other professional settings. But this is a case where I think we should be "focusing on the good news, too", since it shows that important people in positions of power are actually supportive, and the NBA is not just a monolithic wall of ignorance and homophobia.
Posted: 3:37 PM   by Anonymous
That is a little harsh, outright calling him a moron. His statement was a little over the top, but in this country we have a right to free speech. It is just as bad to call hardaway a moron for disliking homosexuals as it is to call someone a moron for being a homosexual. Refute his point, but dont attack the person personally or you sink to their level. Bashing a gay basher is just a cheap media stunt to draw viewers.

To the point though: it could definitely be distracting playing with a gay teammate, it could make players uncomfortable, leading to bad team chemistry. The key word is Could.
Posted: 3:38 PM   by Anonymous
JACK YOU ARE THE MORON, TIM IS RIGHT AND THATS THE WAY IT IS.
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THAT IN
THE WORLD.
Posted: 3:38 PM   by Anonymous
I would not have said it quite the way Mr. Hardaway did, however he is right in the fact that homosexuality is wrong and has no place in a civil society.
Posted: 3:38 PM   by Anonymous
I agree with you Jack, Tim Hardaway is a moron. He is also ignorant and small.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Anonymous
Tim Hardaway is not a moron, the writer of this article is incorrect to even write such a thing. Maybe a certain writer should re-examine his morals. Homosexuality is wrong. Period. There is nothing glorifying about singing "I'm Gay" and thinking it's ok.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Cory
The thing you fail to realize is that most of these players you called out, probably do not have any feeling either way for this subject, and to "require" them to support what most people in this country see as a morality issue, is preposterous.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Bisquick McGillicutty
agreed. i find it surprising that we as a society do not strive to be enlightened. its ok if john amechi's announcement scares you or disgusts you... each person's initial/natural reaction is what it is. but the fact that those that disagree do not try to understand and accept is what is disappointing.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Anonymous
Jack McCallum: MORON!!!
I look up to Tim for what he did. How dare you call him a moron for standing up for what is right. I'm glad someone famous, that can talk to many people, stood up for us straight people. I hate gays too and I agree with Tim, that we shouldn't allow it in the World or in the United States. I hate gays and don't like them either, or like to be around them. Way to go Tim.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Anonymous
I don't get it...Hardaway is a moron for having an opinion that differs from yours?


That's mature.
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Anonymous
What a damn monkey he is... You really have to chalk it up to education... or lack thereof in his case
Posted: 3:39 PM   by Jalal Koochekzadeh
Tim Hardaway's comments were spot on. Straight males need to stop apologizing to gay people and need to stand up. WE are the maority, and thus we decide whats right and wrong. Im tired of the homosexualization of this country. Homosexuality is not right, and should not be respected or tolerated.
Posted: 3:40 PM   by Anonymous
Tim Hardaway. What a clown.

I wonder how Tim would feel if someone said "I hate black people."

If you don't agree with homosexualty, that's fine, many don't. I personally don't understand it but it's none of my business.

How having a gay person on your team can be a cause for concern is beyond me. How can someone's sexual preference deter your game? Maybe Tim likes something in the sack that other's on his team don't. Should that be of concern? Will Tim liking one particular bedroom move over a teammates preference really make a difference during a game?

Tim Hardaway has every right to his opinion. He's an idiot for having the opinion he does though. I think Tim and other homophobes are basically flattering themselves, thinking that every gay man wants them. Tim, look in the mirror dude. You are no prize. Get over yourself and get out of the dark ages. I hope black leaders come out and decry your comments.
Posted: 3:40 PM   by Anonymous
Name-calling...the apex of editorials.

James, Chicago
Posted: 3:41 PM   by Anonymous
No, my friend. You're a moron. Tim Hardaway is right in everything that he said. He's retired and he can say whatever he wants. Kobe, Shaq, and the rest of you the guys you mentioned don't have to come out and say a thing... b/c chances are they don't like queers either. You showed how much of a moron you are in your article, homo.
Posted: 3:41 PM   by Anonymous
How is it better to speak your mind by calling someone a moron than to speak you mind saying you don’t like gays. Everyone has their own opinion, and anyone who criticizes someone by calling them a moron is worthy of the same criticism.
Posted: 3:41 PM   by B-UNIT
Hardaway is not a moron. He is entitled to his own honest opinion. Although I think the way he presented his thoughts that wrong way and his word usage may have been a little harsh. Overall he doesnt beleive in homosexuality, this is pointless to scutinize these comments. I bet you that many more people feel that way in all of professional sports, but why say anything when they will be crucified.
Posted: 3:41 PM   by Anonymous
Sorry, but this is a non-issue. Tim's statement while it have been dumb to some people is at least honest.
Unless more people are going on record against racism, poverty, classism, inner-city youth dropping out of high-school in record numbers, rising HIV rates in african-american women, and the other social ills that affect not only the USA, but the rest of the world, along with racial genocide, the various wars, etc...then no one should be all that "outraged" over some random retired athlete's statement.
I am more amused by all the rhetoric and grandstanding by all the people that say that Tim is wrong in public and still tell racist and homophobic jokes in private...
Posted: 3:41 PM   by Anonymous
I get so tired of you politically correct morons who have a hissy fit anytime someone says anthing negative about gay people. Read the Bible. Homosexuality is a sin ... big time.
Posted: 3:41 PM   by Anonymous
Though it might have come across harshly with poorly chose wording, Tim Hardaway had every right to say what he wanted. For us to point the finger at him shows the sad state that our world is in, where heterosexual men are big, bad bullies when they talk about their dislike for gays. He doesn't have to like gays and he doesn't have to lie about it to "save face". I respect that.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
Moron? For speaking honestly in a PC world? Indeed. For disapproving of immoral behavior? Not a chance. I am so sick of freedom of speech not applying to certain lifestyle choices and beliefs, but being supported strongly when attacking other groups. If people are free to condemn opposing politicians, Christians, or Americans in no-holds-barred terms, then Tim Hardaway and I myself must be free to say to gays "your behavior makes me sick." He did that. That's his right. But as expected, instead of addressing the gay debate, you push forward as if the matter is settled and Tim Hardaway is evil. How progressive.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
He can say whatever the hell he wants.

This is America.

Something tells me, if he had replaced "gays" with something like "Christians", your panties wouldn't be in quite the twist.

You preening elitist journos need to get over yourself.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Shane
Gay is about as relevant as someone being black. It is a non-issue and the more we call attention to it, the more it will divide us. We should all care less if a sports person "comes out of the closet" or if a black coach wins the Superbowl. Recognize/judge them on their achievements not on their sexual preference, color of their skin, ethnicity, etc.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
Who are you to judge? He has as much a right to dislike and hate as anyone else. Just b/c you hate someone or something doesn't mean you are a moron. He can do what wants. Your a moron for worrying about what Tim Hardaway thinks about gay people. You need a life. He played basketball I could care less about his views on gay people.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Tim Cupery
From a sociological angle, Hardaway's comments aren't moronic. They're value-driven statements based on what he thinks is normal and what he thinks isn't. His statements are moral in character, although his position is probably driven more by an "ugh" feeling than by any form of careful reasoning.

If Hardaway tried to ground his comments in a certain religious tradition, then we might say that they are moronic with respect to that tradition. (As Chris Broussard pointed out, the traditional Christian position on sex is that any sex outside of male-female marriage is sinful, and most NBA players don't seem to much mind heterosexual infidelity. Note that Broussard doesn't equate thinking a behavior is sinful with not being able to comfortable be around the person engaging in said behavior.)
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2764353&name=broussard_chris

Practically-speaking, I agree that Hardaway's comments are moronic, given that he has to realize the sort of response he'll get for them. But he is speaking for a sizable portion of the population. (Myself not included - I just have to, as a sociologist, disagree with a misclassification of Hardaway's comments by McCallum.)
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
Jack McCallum - Moron - Mr. Hardaway has his opinion which I agree with as for as being around gay people. The Bible said one man and one woman. Period. Everyone has an opinion and if it is different from yours; are they all morons? Get back in the closet.
Posted: 3:42 PM   by Anonymous
You started your column so auspiciously, but you missed the opportunity to point out the irony of Tim's having been the king of the "crossover" dribble. He apparently no longer can go left.
Posted: 3:43 PM   by Anonymous
Tim Hardaway has the right to speak his mind. I believe it is wrong to hate anyone but I admire how he does not accept homosexuality. Just because the liberal media thinks it is ok does not mean that it is.
Posted: 3:43 PM   by DB
I am SO tired of the media--and this now includes ESPN.com--sensationalizing homosexuality. Get over it! Hardaway is a bigot. We all know that. But do we push headlines about every white supremacist who utters a racial slur? No; to emphasize such idiotic views only inflates their importance. And it unnecessarily stirs the pot on a very private issue. Since when did America become 'the land of the free [insofar as you don't offend anyone]'? Finally, no one would ever confuse a personal opinion of an NBA player as necessarily representative of the NBA as a whole. Enough already!
Posted: 3:43 PM   by Anonymous
What's as disturbing as his comments is the undeniable fact that there are a lot of players like him in today's NBA. Not every one - but by all accounts too many.
Posted: 3:43 PM   by Anonymous
What happen to freedom of speach?!

It's really amazing the day and time we live in. Everyone can think something but dare not say it. The PC police will be knocking on your door.

This is America and he has the right to not like anyone he chooses. This is usually typical to religious people who stand by their convictions.
THEY GET LABLED~!
Posted: 3:43 PM   by Anonymous
Ok fine. I have no problem with a gay teammate as long as they have a separate shower/locker room area, similar to what is done in high school for a female teammate. Imagine a girl in the same locker room with guys....certainly some of the men would have inappropriate thoughts of the female. A gay male in a locker room must have some feeling or attraction to a couple of his teammates....
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
homosexuality is a crime against nature and is morally wrong. Hardaway is not a moron or ignorant. Most homosexuals are the way they are due to physical, emotional, or mental abuse. They are not born that way. The sooner we quit accepting disgusting behavior, the sooner our world will be a better place. One is born French, Spanish, Canadian, etc.-one is not born gay or homosexual.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Shane Franklin TN
I really think it just as MORONIC to one hand say that Hardaway has every right to say what he wants, but then you criticize what HE says. Naturally, I don't agree with the word HATE.. I don't hate gay people (I do hate their choice of life style)as do I hate the choice of lifestyle of a drug dealer, a person who eats too much, a person who have sex outside of marriage (whether homosexual or straight) My point is this...TOLERANCE is and has been the FALL of AMERICAN MORALITY! I don't want to hear this garbage about "tolerance" making America great! It DOES NOT! It makes AMERICA the laughing STOCK of the WORLD.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
Tim Hardaway isnt a moron. That is his honest opinion and he is entitled to it. He did not actually say he hates them, he said he dislikes them. He was asked a question and he answered it truthfully. I myself am uncomfortable around gay people. I dont hate or dispise them, but i dont beleive a man should be with another man. But what Tim said about trading the player is not right. If the gay player has game, he should stay and play. If Tim doesnt like it, then he(Tim) should be traded.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
The only moron here is Jack McCallum.

Homosexuality cannot perpetuate the human race. The idea that political correctness is to believe the insertion of a mans penis into another mans anus as acceptable is beyond words. We can all be thankful that what ever is defective with people that are "gay" will be cleased from the gene pool as these people are not able to re-produce.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
No surprise. Yet another in the long line of so-called professional athletes showing their true worth in society...None! Take away Haraway's money and I guarantee you that he will find trouble before he would ever find success. The NBA should distance themselves from Hardaway super quick! Tim Hardaway: Moron? And them some!!! We should all be so lucky that those like he and Sprewell simply disappear off the radar.
Posted: 3:44 PM   by Anonymous
I find it absolutely crazy that any African American could display and feel such intolerance. After all, it was only 30-40 years ago when the same types of things were said when a certain woman refused to give up her seat on the bus and certain NBA players had to eat in separate diners because eating with white people "shouldn't be allowed in the United States". It's just another sign of how intolerant and ignorant the world really is today. Whether it's "gays shouldn't be allowed", "Muslims are all terrorists", "Israel and Jews must be destroyed", "southern people are all rednecks"...whatever the narrow-minded intolerance of the day may be, it's just sad it all still exists.
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
Bigot. That's the correct word. Say it again to yourself. "Tim Hardaway is a bigot."
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
The intolerance shown by Hardaway is utterly unbelievable. It's that same sense of hatred for those who are different that has caused so much civil unrest between black and whites over the years. Give the man a hood, he's earned it.
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
I agree he is a moron. I also think Hardaway likely has unresolved issues with his own sexuality. Otherwise, who really cares what other people do? Me thinks he protests to hard..
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
Mr Hardaway speaks bravely in this PC world. There are a lot of us morons
Posted: 3:45 PM   by Anonymous
I wouldn't have a problem playing with a gay person. The problem would come in the locker room and the shower. I wouldn't want to take a shower with a gay person. If that is wrong I dont want to be right.
Posted: 3:46 PM   by Anonymous
i personlay think you are the idiot for trying to call him an idiot. Beauty of this country is we can say and do what we please, even if it does bop us on the head. I aggree with Tim, i dont like homos either, and when I played, i would not have felt comforatble having a fruit cake on my footbal team.....
Posted: 3:46 PM   by Anonymous
he has a right to say whats on his mind, maybe your the moron for throwing words back at him.
Posted: 3:46 PM   by Barry
Sorry, I don't keep up with the NBA that much, but who in the world is John Amaechi? I never heard of him as a player. Why in the world is his story news today? Also, who cares what Tim Hardaway has to say about the matter. It's his opinion and he is entitled to it, even if most (or many) people do not agree with it.

I, for one, do not care about this issue. We need to be focusing on much more important matters such as who is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby :)
Posted: 3:46 PM   by Anonymous
It seems, Mr. McCallum, that what you want is to have everyone agree with your opinion of someone else's opinion. That really makes a lot of sense.
Posted: 3:51 PM   by Adam - Madison, WI
Nicely put Jack. As a straight man with gay friends, I don't see why other straight players aren't standing up to defend gays in the NBA. I have no problem admitting I have gay friends, and for the most part, people are interested and sometimes amazed to hear that they're actually "normal" people. Hard to believe that this is such an issue with some. However, as my gay friends have told me, many times, the individuals most opposed to gay people are gay themself, or at least bisexual. In several years when being gay is more fully accepted, maybe little Timmy will have something else shocking to say:)
Posted: 3:53 PM   by Chris
Well said, Jack.
Posted: 4:11 PM   by Anonymous
There is absolutely no difference between this rant and the one offered by John Rocker (albeit, this was more targeted). Tim Hardaway follows in a long legacy of men like Al Campannis, Jimmy the Greek, and the men at the '36 Olympic Games preaching Aryan superiority. The only difference is that the fallout won't make him the same sort of pariah because so many people agree with his comments.
Posted: 4:11 PM   by Anonymous
Nobody should be labeled a moron for speaking his mind. Only morons would suppress the views and stance that others take. Get a life Jack, there are many more things to get upset about than Hardaway's comments.
Posted: 4:12 PM   by Jay Heath
John Amechi made a choice to be homosexual and Tim Hardaway has a right to not like him because of it. He has a right to say he doesn't want to play basketball with someone of that lifestyle.
You use the word "hate" but I didn't see that in his comments. I saw dislike, which is very different from hate. Don't twist words to make your point, it makes you the moron.

People have a right to choose whatever lifestyle they want in this country, but we don't have to make them heroes for their choices. This Amechi is being made some sort of hero by the media right now and anyone who dares to say anything negative about him is seen as some sort of caveman.

We don't have to sit back and accept all behavior in this country just because liberal media members say it's so.
Posted: 4:12 PM   by Anonymous
What Tim said is crazy and ignorant. The NBA should distance themselves from this bigot ASAP. Although I am heterosexual, what TH said is no different than saying the same thing about peoples race, religion etc. This type of hatred should not be tolerated.
Posted: 4:15 PM   by Anonymous
What a great article. It was succinct, well-worded, and entirely accurate. In short, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted: 4:19 PM   by Anonymous
when I first read Hardaways comments, I was hoping someone would come out and clearly label him as a narrow minded reflection of the worst people have to offer. 'Moron' is a suitable substitute - well said. What exactly is Hardaway afraid of in the locker room? Does he think being gay is contagious?

I completely agree that it would be a meaningful gesture if one of the league's more respected stars came out and offered a more enlightened perspective on this subject, and perhaps teach people that reactions like Hardaway's represent the vast minority. Hopefully that is the case.
Posted: 4:19 PM   by Anonymous
I disagree with you.

The definition of "moron" is "a mildly mentally retarded person. Do you really think that's true with Tim?

I don't believe that views on gays has anything to do with intelligence.

Not that I agree with what Tim said. I don't. But it's education and attitudes that need adjusting. You can't make a retarded person smarter. But you can educate anyone.
Posted: 4:20 PM   by Anonymous
Jack-you should stick to writing sports, not the opinion page. While I don't agree with Tim's approach to this, I wouldn't call him a moron. One season I played, we had three guys on our team who came out a couple years later. Was it an issue? No. However, until someone is faced with such a thing, they don't know how to respond. It is only through the experience that I found it to not be an issue. Otherwise, I'd've said something along the lines of "I don't want somebody staring at me while I change." Tim's not a moron, Jack, he's just a manifestation of American Society as a whole. The majority of America isn't entirely comfortable with homosexuality. They can say they are all they would like, but the fact of the matter is, it's not entirely true. Kudos to Tim for saying the truth, ignorant though it may be. Moron? No. Bigot? Certainly

-Matt Dinan,
University of Rochester
Posted: 4:20 PM   by Kane
Thank you. This is going to get ugly, and I applaud you for jumping out and putting this out there.
Posted: 5:02 PM   by Anonymous
- standing ovation - I agree.

If more people spoke out like this, maybe my nephew wouldn't have been tortured for his sexuality in high school.
Posted: 5:02 PM   by Anonymous
man, the title of the article said it. moron. i used to like timmy and his 'skillz'. no more
Posted: 5:22 PM   by Kyle from SK
I think Hardaway's comments were moronic, insensitive and just wrong. He does have the right to express his feelings, but he should realize that these comments are harmful not only to the gay community, but also the NBA and all major sports.
Just because a man is gay does not mean he wants to sleep with every one of his teammates. It just means he's attracted to men. He may not be attracted to you or any of his other teammates. Even if he is, what's wrong with that? He's allowed to have feelings just as much as the next person.
Tim needs to grow up and get with the times.
Athletes are afraid to state their sexuality for reasons just like this.
Posted: 5:23 PM   by Anonymous
He is an idiot and unfortunately too many people feel the same way. I beleive it has a lot to do with education and religion.
Posted: 5:24 PM   by Anonymous
Sorry, but from where I sit, it looks like Tim Hardaway *is* being a leader. He opposes homosexuality. Get over it. Those who criticize him for taking a stand are morons.
Posted: 5:24 PM   by Anonymous
It's interesting that people who love homosexuality are okay, but people who hate it are a "moron." I guess tolerance is a one-way street.

On another note, I think Amaechi's statement on Mike&Mike that "I don't want tolerance; I want acceptance" is a little out in left-field. Perhaps he doesn't realize that a good proportion of our nation is composed of Christians who believe that homosexuality is morally reprehensible, just like beastiality or NAMBLA. Do you think Amaechi realizes that calling others stupid and bigoted simply because they do not approve of his sexual orientation is *gasp* being intolerant of their religious beliefs?

Altogether interesting discussion. Whether one has a right to tolerance from others is an interesting discussion (should straight be treated different from homosexual, or homosexual different from beastiality?), but Amaechi should realize he'll never get "acceptance" for his sexual orientation from everyone.
Posted: 5:25 PM   by Anonymous
Hardaway fails to realize, I think, that for many decades white athletes made the same ethnocentric comments about black athletes. The categories change, but the need to oppress others still exists. Why? I think James Baldwin said it best:

"If I'm not who you say I am, then you're not who you think you are."

When did equality and justice become words that people like Hardaway can just dismiss? Hold your fear, hold your anxiety, but have the decency to also educate yourself out of the ignorance that creates fear and anxiety.
Posted: 5:25 PM   by Anonymous
What an embarrassment. Please remind Tim not long ago black players would not have been allowed on the same bus as white players. We need to all come along. This is primo ignorant crap dressed up in a suit.
Posted: 5:25 PM   by Anonymous
Jack McCallum, you seem like a pretty smart guy, but are you truly surprised by Hardaway's response? Hardaway's comments may be ignorant, but I think they truly reflect the sentiment of a lot of people here in the United States.
Posted: 6:39 PM   by C. Miller
I can agree with his concern for sharing a lockeroom with a homosexual teamate. His comments seemed to stem from that central issue. Working in an office-type job with a gay coworker doesn't involve taking a shower with them! Tim's not a moron. He just doesn't want to get naked with with a gay guy.
Posted: 6:40 PM   by Anonymous
Me thinks thou doth protest to much Tim. It is usually the biggest homophobs who turn out to be gay.Not that there is anything wrong with that
Posted: 6:40 PM   by Anonymous
So your not questioning the right for Hardaway to say what he feels...as long as what he feels is what you feel. Thats a quaint sort of freedom that I'm sure Stalin would appreciate.
Posted: 6:40 PM   by Anonymous
i agree with Hardaway 100%. he can have his opinion and if that is that he doesn't like gay people then so be it. Apparently in this world we have to think, act and be PC. We might as all be robots.
Posted: 6:40 PM   by Anonymous
So are we at the state in America now where we must agree with homosexuality or be considered a moron? God forbid.
Posted: 6:41 PM   by Damion
what do other players in the nba have to say anything on this subject? All they have to do is play basketball....I think a lot of people in america share tim hardaway's beliefs and i think he is a representative of that segment of america, not a spokesperson for anti-gay sentiment in professional sports. he answered a question honestly, and he is only a 'moron' if he didn't realize that it would cause this kind of uproar....Not condoning what he said, but I'm glad that somebody actually said something that they truly felt. This is as honest an opinion as you're going to get and probably represents more atheletes and/or people in general than many would like to believe.
Posted: 6:41 PM   by Anonymous
Hardaway is right! Homosexuality shouldn't be in the world! Ever read the Bible? They should not be allowed in the locker room. Just as we have seperate locker rooms for men and women. There should be seperate locker rooms for gays. They are like a kid in a candy store when allowed in the locker rooms with regular guys! It is very uncomfortable and disruptive for the team. I feel like you critisize him for the sake of being politically correct and are just adding one more venue of acceptability for homosexuality. You are wrong for calling him a moron and it upsets me that you do. I am very proud of Hardaway for standing firm and speaking the truth and allowing people to know how he feels. This nation is to worried about how people are going to react about what they say and how they feel therefore what is wrong with this world just keeps getting worse.
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Joshua
Its deeply disturbing that we live in a world where people still 'hate' other people on the basis of a characteristic that someone is born with.
Imagine if a white player said that he "hated blacks". Such a racist statement would cause (rightfully) a massive reaction within the (mostly black) players association. Yet, what homophobics, anti-semites, racists, xenophobes, sexists, etc do not realize is that prejudice is prejudice.

"If we think education is expensive, try ignorance"
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Anonymous
You hit the nail on the head...Tim Hardaway IS a moron!
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Anonymous
Amen! Bigotry in any form should not be allowed to be a part of professional sports. It sets a bad precendent for impressionable children to think that it is OK to hate people that are different. Homophobia is no different than racism. I can only hope that his team cans him!
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Anonymous
Yes his comments not appropriate, but the NBA playing "Nanny"? No WAY!
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Anonymous
There are two sides to every argument. In this case, I do not think the sides are necessarily opposed. Hardaway has the right to say whatever he wants. This is the United States of America, and our young people are - at least in theory - dying in the Middle East to prove to the world the value of such enlightened thought.

That does not keep Hardaway from being a complete imbecile and moron. And, luckily, I maintain the right to call him that. He raises homophobia to a new height - the height of the smoke in Reefer Madness. Is this idiot really under the impression that any member of his team is going to start partaking in random acts of sodomy, while in the locker room? It is apparently that a much bigger risk is having your locker near another well known idiot, Stephen Jackson, who might inadvertently drop his gun.

My only prayer, now, is that Tim does not go into 'rehab' for some 'sensitivity training'. It would be an even bigger insult to John Amechi - already a brave man - for Hardaway to pull that type of mealy mouthed nonsense. Wear the tag of homophobe proudly Tim. You have worked hard at it.
Posted: 6:42 PM   by Anonymous
I don't think calling Tim Hardaway a moron is appropriate. He is after all entitled to his opinion. Homosexuality is unacceptable to most people, and I agree also that those who choose this lifestyle should be prepared for such negativity, especially in sports.
Posted: 6:43 PM   by Anonymous
Being Gay is a Choice and it is wrong and immoral. You sir are just as intolerant as aint-gay people you calim are idoits. who are you to tell people such as kobe or shaq to do. the right thing is to come out and say "I respect everyone but being gay is wrong" What if it was a child molester on there team?? should they stand up for them even tho its wrong?
Posted: 6:43 PM   by Anonymous
So you don't like people who don't like gay people. That makes you a bigot as well.
Posted: 6:43 PM   by Anonymous
Hardaway is not the moron here. he is merely stating what I'm pretty sure a good majority of America thinks. They don't hate them necessarily, but what they do. Amaechi said on Mike and Mike this morning that "he doesn't want to tolerated, to be treated like blacks were". what Amaechi doesn't say is that unlike black people, who are born black, homosexuals choose to be gay, they are not born that way(as much as the liberal media would have you believe). As a Christian, I do not support gays, and I hate what they do. I do have a Christian love for them though, and pray that they will turn from sin and will realize that what they are doing is wrong.
Posted: 6:44 PM