FanHouse John Amaechi

Some pretty stout not-actually-allegations stemming from John Amaechi recently, via the Rocky Mountain News, via Marcel at SLAM, whereby he accuses Kobe Bryant and a bunch of other somewhat anonymous USA basketball types of homophobia. Or, if you want to take it further than that, some sort of sexist-profiling.

"It's been tense to say the least,'' Amaechi said when I ran into him in a lunch line about what it's been like being seeing some Team USA players and coaches.

Amaechi said players have turned away from him, and there remains a "lot of tension." He mentioned seeing Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

"I ran into Kobe, and he was surprised to see me,'' Amaechi said. "It didn't go well."

[...]"I had passed some of the coaches in the MPC (Main Press Center) the day before, catching only the trailing end a statement of the coach who saw me, '... isn't that Amaechi? What the hell is he doing (here),'" Amaechi writes in his blog. "I was a little irritated. I couldn't help but wonder if that was the way they would have reacted to another former NBA player they recognized passing shoulder to shoulder a world away. Even an average one."

Hmmm. Personally, I'm a bit skeptical of Amaechi's publicity manuvers given the heavy handed ESPN noise surrounding the release of his book. And I'm also a little skeptical of his abilities at person to person perception if he has yet to figure out why there might be tension between he and other members of the NBA.

While John Amaechi continues to crusade for gay athletes and hairlessness, his foil Tim Hardaway is just trying to get his profesisonal life back on track. Following his virulent anti-gay comments and subsequent exile from All-Star weekend, Hardaway realized he needs to make amends. Sort of. If only for career reasons. From The Miami Herald:

"People have been trying to kick me when I'm down," he said this week, reflecting on everything that has happened. The reaction was "very, very shocking. People saying my wife left me -- that's not true. My family is OK and my finances are OK."

". . . I'm looking for a second chance and trying to clean up my image. I haven't been in trouble with drugs or guns. I'm an upstanding citizen. Like I told my children, life is not easy. This is a big bump I have to overcome. I'm going to deal with it like a champ. I've got to make sure people know I don't hate gay people."

I suppose that's good news for all the Hardaway supporters, and bad news for anyone who thinks that his comments weren't themselves enough of an embarassment. But when it comes to trying to reach out to the people he's offended, Tim's still taking a hardline:

Hardaway, who attended a Heat game last week, said he soon will speak with a gay organization (he's considering three) to "make them understand" why he made his comments -- which he apologized for -- and to gain a better understanding of their perspective. He rejected an offer to spend a day with North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns, who is gay, "because that was more for publicity for him."

I'm no expert in public relations, but it seems to me that part of seeking forgivenes is compromising, showing humility, stuff like that. If Hardaway is out to convince the world he's not a bigot, he should, pardon the phrase, bend over backwards. Trying to set the terms himself, questioning people's intentions, and trying to "make them understand" just looks like he's pleading guilty to a speeding ticket.

If only Hardaway had just won a Super Bowl... then none of this would happening.

The John Amaechi story has just about reached the end of its news cycle, but not before he does the requisite stops on the TV talk show circuit. Of course, we didn't actually learn anything we didn't already know in his Jon Stewart interview, but it's certainly entertaining, and perhaps even informative for those who didn't expect Amaechi to be so ... normal.

(via True Hoop)

On the same I day I find out that Josh Howard's favorite book is "Othello" and that Nate Robinson plays 2K7 as his pixelated-self, I learn John Amaechi is terrified of an intoxicated Dennis Rodman. I tell you; today's gossip mill is churning 'em out like Spears does crazy! That final gem via a reader at -- earmuffs, Tim -- Queerty:

John Amaechi and Dennis Rodman were both hanging out at West Hollywood gay bar, The Abbey on Saturday afternoon. Don't think Rodman realized John was there, but John definitely saw Rodman and tried to stay as far away as possible! Rodman was so out of it that while walking down Santa Monica Boulevard toward the bar, his friends had to keep him from walking in front of on-coming traffic.

Whoa, whoa, whoa ... hold on just a second. I realize this is from an anonymous e-mailer and I'm supposed to take it with a grain of salt and all, but I see two glaring problems with this "alleged incident." 1. What in the world is John Amaechi doing at a gay bar? Please explain. And 2. Dennis Rodman has friends? Give me a freaking break...

(Thanks to Boi From Troy ... I think.)

Um, probably not. But that sure didn't stop Outsports.com from naming Hardaway to their 2001 list of 'Ten Most Likely Gay Ballers in the NBA'. Seriously! Take a look at whose name is man-sandwiched between MOST LIKELY GAY IN '01 Vince Carter and MOST LIKELY GAY IN '01 Penny Hardaway:

7. Tim Hardaway, Miami. Not too different from the bruthas one might run into at any black gay club on a Saturday night. Opposite of Dale Davis. Not really trying to be tough. Just himself.

It should be noted that the list's author, Randy Boyd, clearly states he "has no idea who's gay and not gay in the NBA," and that his list "is pure speculation," "just for fun," and "wishful thinking." But come-on! After listening to Hardaway's comments about John Amaechi, and homosexuality in general, how can you not laugh at this?

Hardaway: I can't stand being around a person knowing that they sleep with someone of the same sex.

Reporter: So if you had a family member who was gay, you're saying, that you would hate them?

Hardaway: Yes. I wouldn't talk to them.

Reporter: But what if you were gay, Timmy?

Hardaway: I'm not gay.

Berry: But what if you were? What if I told you were gay in 2001?

Hardaway: Well, I guess I wouldn't talk to myself then.

Reporter: You wouldn't talk to yourself if you were gay?

Hardaway: Correct. I wouldn't talk to myself; I wouldn't look in the mirror . . . hell, I'd probably punch myself in the face. Repeatedly.

(Thanks to SportsbyBrooks for unearthing this gem!)

Another odd little note in this is that Tim Hardaway loves to stay at the YMCA. At least, that's where he was yesterday, doing an NBA Cares outreach event at a Vegas YMCA.

Just know, young boys of the Vegas area, that Tim Hardaway cares about you ... as long as you're not gay. In fact, if we're to believe the tales of the Village People, I'd guess that Tim Hardaway doesn't appreciate a lot of things that happen at the YMCA.

This whole thing has to just be a nightmare for David Stern. Not because of any agreement or disagreement Stern has on the issue, but he wants the shine to be on the events of All-Star weekend, and nothing else.

And not only is an ex-player grabbing headlines by advocating hate, stealing the spotlight from the impending All-Star weekend, but he's also doing an NBA Cares event. Tim Hardaway's sentiments are not what you'd call "caring."

If Timmy had another NBA Cares event scheduled for today, I think the invite's about to be rescinded. In fact, he's with David Stern in Vegas, the world capital of organized crime. He'll be lucky if David Stern, Adam Silver and Stu Jackson aren't out in the desert right now, digging a hole with Hardaway's name on it.

See Also:
Hardaway Apologizes; Amaechi Appreciates the Honesty
Tim Hardaway Did Not Spend Valentine's Day With a Dude

Tim Hardaway, shown to the right about to get it on with NBA official Bennett Salvatore, has issued an apology for saying he hates gay people. The apology is as brief as it is meaningless. Check it out:

"Yes, I regret it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said I hate gay people, or anything like that. That was my mistake."

So he's sorry not for what he said, but he's sorry he said it. And I don't doubt that that's true, Hardaway probably does regret it after seeing what an uproar it caused. I'm sure he wishes he could have those few minutes of his life back.

One guy who wouldn't want him to take it back, though, is John Amaechi, the gay former NBA'er who inspired Hardaway's bile. Here's what Amaechi said to Den Le Batard, who conducted the interview with Hardaway.

'I'm actually tempted to laugh,'' Amaechi said Wednesday. ``Finally, someone who is honest. It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan and unfathomable. But it is honest. And it illustrates the problem better than any of the fuzzy language other people have used so far.''

It seems like Amaehi feels that Hardaway's comments are a little more representative of the norm in the NBA than anything else that's been out there so far. Hardaway says he believes his comments represent a majority of the NBA, and I hope that's not true.

In fact, I don't think it is true, I think NBA players deserve a little more credit than that. The NBA might not be a bastion of progressive thinkers, but it's not a group of hateful people. There might be a lot of guys who are uncomfortable with homosexuality, just as there are a ton of people like that in all of society. But there's a difference between that and outright hatred, and I'd like to think that most NBA players stop short of Hardaway's hostility.

See Also:
Tim Hardaway Loves to Stay at the YMCA
Tim Hardaway Did Not Spend Valentine's Day With a Dude

Tim Hardaway, former Heat guard and former owner of a nasty crossover, does not believe in the crossover when it comes to sexuality. Tim keeps it straight, and he hates people that don't. Dan Le Betard asked Hardaway on his radio show he he'd deal with a gay teammate. Tim Hardaway's response was not pretty.

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don't think that's right. And you know I don't think he should be in the locker room while we're in the locker room. I wouldn't even be a part of that."

"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."

Suddenly, I long for the innocent days of Shavlik Randolph's shower concerns.

I really don't know what to tell you here ... it thoroughly depresses me. Hardaway's words pretty much speak for themselves. I could tell you that Hardaway is an uncultured bigot, fears things he isn't familiar with, and has a hateful heart. But if those thoughts aren't already in your mind, nothing I can say is going to put them there.

But here's the truly scary part:

Hardaway: The majority of the players would ask for him to be traded or they would want to get traded.

Le Betard: But you'd be trading him to a team where he probably wouldn't be wanted there either, I would imagine.

Hardaway: Right, that is true. Just buy him out his contract and let him go (laughs). You know, something has to give. If you got 12 other ballplayers in your locker room that's upset and concentrate and always worried about him in the locker room or on the court or whatever, you know, it's gonna be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate.

I don't know how qualified Tim Hardaway is to speak on behalf of the entire NBA, but he feels like "a majority" of players share his views. And Tim is OK with just outright releasing the player, and keeping him out of the NBA entirely.

If you're looking for something to ruin your day, you can hear the audio here.

See Also:
Tim Hardaway Loves to Stay at the YMCA
Hardaway Apologizes; Amaechi Appreciates the Honesty

From what he's seen, John Amaechi suggests Toronto. From the Toronto Star:

Amaechi said yesterday he would dine and drink in this city's gay village before and after games against the Raptors, his homosexuality an open but guarded secret with other patrons in the bistros. He had once hoped to play for the Raptors, working out with the team in the summer of 1998 before the NBA lockout that September ended that chance.

"I was a regular up there," said the Englishman, who last week became the first NBA player to acknowledge he is gay. "I'd go to bars and people would talk to me about the game I'd played, so it wasn't as if they didn't know." ...

The 36-year-old said such acceptance in a city which, over the weekend, had police recruiting gays, lesbians and the transgendered and a provincial cabinet minister reveal his summer wedding plans to his long-time boyfriend, could support an openly gay pro in his prime.

It hasn't yet happened in real life, but as further evidence of Toronto's gay-friendly atmosphere, it's worth remembering that the NHL's Maple Leafs made news a few months back when it was revealed they gave permission for their logo and uniforms to be used in an upcoming gay-themed movie.

In any event, Amaechi also asserted in an interview with the Chicago Tribune that he's certain there are current players who are gay in the NBA. I don't doubt for a second that he's right, but I have a hunch we'll see an NBA team draft an openly gay player before we see a current NBA player come out of the closet.

At least to this straight guy, it seems like it'd be easier to come out of the closet in high school or on a liberal college campus than in front of hundreds of reporters with cameras and microphones. And when it comes to picking players, any GM will tell you that talent trumps everything.

(HT: TrueHoop)

For any NBA players out there who were considering the sound financial move of revealing their homosexuality to the world, here's one reason to reconsider: someone might kill you.

At least, someone might threaten to kill you. I tend to think that threats of this nature are usually from cowardly homophobes. But real or not, John Amaechi, the former NBA player who recently told the world he was gay, received these death threats.

It's just odd because two weeks ago, no one gave a damn about John Amaechi. Even hardcore NBA fans ... if anyone ever thought of John Amaechi, it was just something like, "Oh yeah, John Amaechi ... boy, I really could care less about this guy." And now, people feel strongly enough about him to want to put a bullet in him. Fantastic.

I'm still really rooting for an active gay athlete to come out ... I truly hope it happens, because it's the only way that the small-minded out there, like Shavlik Randolph, for example, are going to get over the juvenile "this guy will stare at my package and try to rape me in the shower!" mentality.

The death threats sort of bring back into focus the reality of the situation, though. It wouldn't be easy for a guy to do.