Of course there are more gay men in the NBA than just former player John Amaechi who made such a splash a few months ago. You remember, after his book hit stands in February, we went through the whole Tim Hardaway debacle. Read my previous posts here:
Amaechi Fallout #1: Freedom Of Speech
Amaechi Fallout #2: To Know Us Is To Love Us
Amaechi Fallout #3: Positive Reinforcement
Amaechi Fallout #4: Charles Barkley Plays Defense
Amaechi Fallout #5: Signs Endorsement Deal
So now to the point of this post. I read PostSecret every Sunday. This week, someone wrote in with the picture of a Duke University NCAA Championship ring and said that the winner should come out of the closet. I'm pretty sure I know who it is.
Being a huge NBA fan (remember I finished #2 of 12 in my Yahoo! fantasy league this year and #1 last year), and a bit of a self-styled Sherlock Holmes, I started to investigate. I think I figured out who it is but it isn't for me to say. I've always resented when folks felt as though it was their business to discuss my sexuality before I did. Hey, it's MY news, let me tell it!
In my online research, I read quite a few stories about J.J. Redick from Duke. He endured withering anti-gay attacks from the fans whenever he played in a competitor's arena. He handled the situation with dignity and grace and went on to become one of the most prolific college basketball player of all time. He never confirmed/denied his orientation, never bashed gays, always just took the high road explaining that the fans will do anything to get into your head so he just played through it.
J.J. now plays for the Orlando Magic. I don't know if he's gay, nor is he the one that I suspect as I mentioned earlier. He is a "devout Christian" which doesn't mean he isn't gay but perhaps it explains why he handled it so well. I like him cause he's a great player and, quite frankly, very easy on the eyes.
Here are some other players I find enjoyable to watch and their appearance here is no reflection on their sexual orientation as I know nothing. Most of them are married with children — again, no sure indicator of a person's sexuality:
Orlando Magic J.J. Redick and Utah Jazz Carlos Boozer
Former Houston Rocket and current ESPN commentator Jon Barry, Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups, NJ Nets Vince Carter
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Monday, May 21, 2007
Another Gay Player In The NBA? Duh.
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3 comments:
Not ALL of the duke players are gay, ya know! Geesh!
(except the 'Christian' one. But he is only down with the brown)
Steve Nash! Steve Nash!
When he took that cheap shot in the face last week I took it personally.
Great work.
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