Former five-time all-star Tim Hardaway’s anti-gay comments drew criticism on Friday from players assembled to compete in the 56th annual All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
Hardaway’s gay bashing draws ire of NBA stars
LAS VEGAS: Former five-time all-star Tim Hardaway’s anti-gay comments drew criticism on Friday from players assembled to compete in the 56th annual All-Star Game in Las Vegas. As a black athlete in the United States, Hardaway should know better than to bash another minority group, Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups said.
“I was surprised this came out like that,” Billups said. “He, of all people, being an African-American should know better because of the way we have been discriminated against for so long. “There is a right way and a wrong way to express yourself and he picked the wrong way.” Miami Heat centre Shaquille O’Neal said he tries to treat everyone with respect no matter where they come from or their colour of skin.
“My take on it is that I have been taught since I was a youngster that you never judge people,” O’Neal said. “It is a personal preference of his. The way I was taught was if people gang up or make fun of someone you should defend them.” Phoenix Suns MVP Steve Nash said Hardaway may be liked around the league but he needs to change his thinking.
“It’s sad. I like Tim a lot. He is a great guy,” Nash said. “Unfortunately he wasn’t exposed enough or educated enough about the subject to make an informed opinion. “But we are moving in the right direction on this. Just look at the backlash from his comments. I am sure he will grow from this.”
Hardaway’s comments followed the disclosure by former NBA centre John Amaechi that he is gay.
>“You know I hate gay people, so I let it be known,” the former Heat player Hardaway said on a Miami radio station on Wednesday. “I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around them. I’m homophobic. It shouldn’t be in the world or the US.”
Hardaway has since apologized. Ex NBA forward Charles Barkley said the fallout from Amaechi’s disclosure has turned into a media firestorm.
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