Amaechi Fallout #3: Positive Reinforcement

Quite a few folks have expressed concern and disdain for Tim Hardaway's anti-gay comments:

David Stern
NBA Commissioner

"It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours."

Continental Basketball League (CBA)
The CBA is a farm team type league to the NBA, decried Hardaway's comments. Hardaway is a member of Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group which currently owns and operates the CBA’s Indiana Alley Cats franchise.

“The CBA does not in any way condone or endorse the hateful comments made by Mr. Hardaway to ESPN yesterday,” said Dennis Truax, Director of Basketball Operations for the CBA. “Mr. Hardaway’s comments were unfortunate, hateful and are not the views of the CBA or any of its member teams. It is our fervent belief that any person should be allowed to participate in our league, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, political preference or sexual orientation, without fear of reprisal or discrimination. The CBA is an equal opportunity employer, and Mr. Hardaway’s comments have no effect or bearing on our position now or in the future. We do not share his views or support his position regarding Mr. Amaechi and his recent personnel revelations.”

Charles Barkley
Former NBA All-Star and current NBA analyst on TNT

"That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard someone else say...especially from a black person."

Shaquille O'Neal
Current NBA All-Star and player for the Miami Heat

"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."

Chauncey Billups
Current NBA All-Star and player for the Detroit Pistons

"He, of all people, being an African-American should know better because of the way we have been discriminated against for so long."

Steve Nash
Current NBA MVP and player for the Phoenix Suns

“It’s sad. I like Tim a lot. He is a great guy. 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.”

Pat Riley
Current Miami Heat General Manager and former Hardaway coach

"[Hardaway's attitude] would not be tolerated in our organization. But I do know that Tim's a good spirit, and I'm sure now he wished he could take all of that back. And I hope he's not severely judged by his spewing of some of those words. That kind of thinking can't be tolerated. It just can't."

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Recap of Hardaway's comments:

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "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."

Hardaway was a guest of Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard on Miami sports radio station WAXY-AM and was asked how he would deal with a gay teammate. When asked if he would accept an active player's coming out, such as that of retired NBA center John Amaechi, Hardaway replied: "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," he said.

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