It wasn't marked on my calendar, but apparently Tuesday was "Michael Ray Richardson Offends Everyone Day." The former NBA All-Star who was banned from the Association for life for three drug offenses, is coaching his Albany Patroons (I don't know what that means) in the CBA playoffs. But before and during Tuesday's game against the Yakima Sun-Kings, Richardson decided to air some thoughts on Jews and homosexuals. Consider yourselves lucky, Asians and little people. You were spared. This time. Let's start with the homosexuals. From ESPN.com news services:
According to the Times Union, Richardson told a fan who heckled him early in Tuesday's game, "Shut the [expletive] up." And near game's end, he shouted at another heckler, "Shut the [expletive] up, you [derogatory term for gay men]."Any guesses on that one? I'm thinking it rhymes with "shag it," and is one of Tim Hardaway's favorite words.
And, as promised, let's not forget the Jews. Richardson was discussing a contract that was offered to him by the team with a couple of reporters (the CBA has reporters?) in his office.
"I've got big-time lawyers," Richardson said, according to the Times Union. "I've got big-time Jew lawyers."He didn't stop there. There's another whole paragraph about the craftiness of the Jew. In fact, one of the most amazing things about this is how, just like Dan Le Batard did in the Tim Hardaway situation, a reporter tried to a throw Richardson a life preserver, and he just shoved it away.
When told by the reporters that the comment could be offensive to people because it plays to the stereotype that Jews are crafty and shrewd, he responded with, "Are you kidding me? They are. They've got the best security system in the world. Have you ever been to an airport in Tel Aviv? They're real crafty. Listen, they are hated all over the world, so they've got to be crafty."
Here's a tip, pro athletes, retired athletes, and banned-for-life coaches: When a reporter says something to you like, "Hey, you know that might be offensive," it's probably in your best interest to just stop talking for a while. Sit the next few plays out.
