Secret Life of the Gay American Basketball Player
Some of the people who know me best claim I’m homophobic.
I’d disagree, but I see where they get that idea. I can admit, I’ve made my share of off-color jokes and offensive comments, but my stance on homosexuality has been the same for awhile: If you’re a guy who’s attracted to guys, or a girl attracted to girls, OK. Do you. Doesn’t matter to me. I can’t say I’m this completely evolved and 100 percent politically correct person, but I’d at least like to think I’ve matured since my days being in the high school football locker room and saying things high school kids say when it comes to that issue.
Homosexuality in sports is still taboo, even long after we’ve broken the silence on drugs, infidelity, violence towards women, steroids, deadbeat dads, and every other salacious story that crawls across the daily ticker. We still don’t talk about (at least not seriously) gays in sports, especially when it comes to male athletes. Mainly because except for a figure skater here and there, nobody comes out of the closet. Three years after retired NBA player John Amaechi went public, we still haven’t an active pro basketball player follow his lead, although the numbers (and the rumors I’ve heard just from being in this industry a few years) indicate there has to be at least a handful of gay players in the League.
The NBA itself has a complicated, unstable relationship with the homosexual community. While the WNBA is undeniably gay-friendly — I’ve been to a few Seattle Storm games and the place is full of obviously lesbian couples — it’s like the league still doesn’t want to openly admit and advertise it. There have been small controversies stemming from WNBA arenas either not doing the traditional “Kiss Cam” that you see in every NBA arena, or ignoring couples on the Kiss Cam who might be gay or lesbian. And even after superstar Sheryl Swoopes outed herself as lesbian in 2005, it hasn’t appeared to have a significant impact on the league in its marketing or with other players coming out.
The NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors have had Gay Community Night promotions this month. On March 1 against Orlando, the Sixers had about 100 tickets at $20 a pop set aside for gay community members. The team had done a similar promotion four years ago before bringing it back this year.
“(NBA teams) try to market themselves to all different types of groups, people of different religious affiliations or nationalities,” Matt Oldsey of Comcast Spectator’s Event Services, who helped put on the 76ers promotion, told the Philadelphia Gay News. “It’s a good practice to market yourself to every group and every type of person, and I felt like there’s definitely room to include Philadelphia’s gay community; no group should be singled out or not included, because our products can be enjoyed by all types of people.”
At the same time, it’s highly likely that in a league struggling to make money — especially a Lottery team like the Sixers that just saw its biggest box-office draw, Allen Iverson, leave for the rest of the season — franchises will do anything to sell tickets, even if the higher-ups have a fundamental problem with the group of fans being targeted. NBA teams have events like Jewish Heritage Night and U.S. Armed Forces Night, for instance, and the League as a whole has the “Noche Latino” extended promotion to draw in fans from the country’s largest-growing ethnic group. But do we know for sure that none of those owners and front-office suits have negative feelings toward Jews, Latinos, or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Just because some teams have extended a hand to the gay community, it doesn’t mean everyone sees a place in the game for them.
So where exactly does homosexuality fit within the inner circles of the NBA, and basketball in general?
LOGO's Shirts & Skins
A couple years ago, I ran across a show on the LOGO network (TV aimed at the gay community) called “Shirts & Skins,” a reality show following an all-gay basketball team in San Francisco. I only watched a couple of episodes — during which Amaechi and Swoopes made guest appearances — and the one thing you couldn’t deny was that the guys on this semi-pro level team could play. It’s not like their style of ball was any different. And some the players had legit credentials: DeMarco Majors (far left) played at D-III Menlo College and in the ABA. Mike Survillion (far right) also had a brief stint in the ABA.
“Shirts & Skins” ran for one season and wasn’t picked up for a second. Was it because it didn’t appeal to enough sports fans? Was it proof of the stereotype that gays aren’t very interested in sports? Was the show just not good enough to survive? Was it only supposed to be a one-season deal? I’m not sure.
But I do know there was no way the show would be bringing in an active NBA player for an appearance. If one had even popped up randomly in the background because he happened to be in the same public gym, I would imagine that player’s agent would take the steps to have that footage buried, or have his client’s face blurred. Because more than anything, athletes today who are guy don’t come out of the closet for the same reason athletes don’t take political or socio-economic stances — because it’s too risky from a business standpoint.
Thanks to the anonymity of the Internet, however, there is one gay ballplayer we know of. In Playing Basketball From The Closet, an unidentified American who plays pro ball somewhere overseas — who goes only by the moniker “Baller” — has been blogging about his life as a closeted athlete since December 2009. In one post, he talks about how his homosexuality affects his game on the court:
I always have the tendency to be very harsh with myself, I can finish a day with 17 points and 6-9 from the field and I will only remember the 3 missed shots and try to think why I missed them and that I could have done better, and that’s usually the feeling I go with, it’s rear that I will sit down and say to myself great job and will be thinking about those 6 makes.
In some way I think it does have something to do with me being gay, maybe it’s making a complicated situation easy by saying it like this, but I think that since like most guys who fight with their sexuality I felt bad for the most part of my childhood and youth. I tried to reject the thoughts and the emotions, since being gay is “wrong, not normal” and I can go on and on.
Basically what I’m trying to say is that going around feeling bad about myself since I’m different might explain why I only look on the bad things, those things that I grow up feeling and grow up thinking about, maybe in some way I need those feelings to give me the “approval” that I’m still different and not as good as the others cause I’m gay.
I know it’s not a matter of black and white, and I can happily say that I feel much better about myself than I used to, but I guess it’s not a completed process. Maybe somewhere it’s the homophobic side of me, a side that was always there but was developed by being in locker rooms and around guys that are usually homophobic and have tendency to make gays to be less man, not worthy and for sure not equal to all the rest.
I still see myself as work in progress, I can really say that I feel good with my career and the direction it’s going, and even though every game worries me all over and I’m never sure my ability will surface Things are going good. I do sometimes start to think if my issues with myself and my sexual preferences don’t prevent me from reaching my full potential, but this is something for another post.
John Amaechi's memoir
In college, I had a few classes with an older female student who used to play college basketball in the South. One time she speculated that “at least half” of female ballplayers on the college/pro level were lesbian. I doubt many hoop fans would be surprised to find that true, but when it comes to male basketball players, the numbers are presumably lower.
And yet this much we do know: Going by the odds alone, the thoughts expressed by “Baller” are the exact thoughts running through the minds of at least one and maybe 100 NBA players. I’ve heard (unconfirmed) that reportedly one in every 15 American men identifies as gay, so you do the math: Your favorite player, maybe the All-Star you voted for, maybe the certified superstar whose sneakers you’re wearing, maybe the designated “tough guy” on the bench … he could be living in the closet, where fear of getting injured or fear of missing the game-winning shot is nothing compared to his fear of being exposed.
Now ask yourself a question and give an honest answer: Would finding out that aforementioned player was gay change how you feel about him?
Around the time Amaechi revealed his secret, former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway gave an honest, albeit controversial, opinion on how he would have reacted to finding out a teammate was gay:
“You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known,” Hardaway said in a radio interview. “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.
“First of all, I wouldn’t want (a gay player) on my team,” Hardaway went on. “And second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because I don’t think that’s right. … 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.”
Even if Hardaway may be in the minority among NBA players, he also isn’t alone in his views. And while it’s easy for us to take him to trial for a public faux pas, how many of us, at the core, hold values that aren’t much different?
How do you think an openly gay NBA player would be treated in the locker room and with fans/media? Do you think an NBA player will ever come out of the closet publicly?
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March 22nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
Coop says:
Haven’t read the whole piece yet (I will) but maybe you should consider that a) not all camp guys are gay (and vice versa) and b) if you can understand why sportmen (loaded with testosterone) often act like neanderthals then surely you can understand what is essentially the inverse. I will leave any hate for later, though, should it be warranted.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 am
TheGhost says:
Hey guys…welcome me to the dime family. I’m a new member/dime reader and will be posting comments regulary. But on to the topic at the hand. This is an issue that is never addressed. I’m positive that there has to be some gays in the league. I mean take a look at a guy like brian scalabrine! Everything about him screams flame…truth is guys are afraid of coming out of the closet because they have seen from previous examples that the treatment that will get if they do decide to come out is not pretty. But i think nba players would protest against gays if they knew which players were gay. or they might demand as a club that the owner trades a certain player….but gays are definitely present. Take a look at big baby…he’s always been Kevin Garnett’s bitch!!!!!!
The Ghost signing off!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
ticktock6 says:
No doubt there is going to be mad ignorant sh*t in this comment thread. But I would like to be one of the first people to say this was a great post. Clearly a lot of thought went into it and I was glad to read it here. Go Dime.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
Charles says:
I don’t hate anybody, gays, straight, or whatever you choose to be. But i don’t want a gay dude in my locker room either, I mean dude is seeing everybody naked and so forth, I would be super uncomfortable. Gays want to compare themselves to blacks in the opposition they had to face, but that sh*t is different, you can’t choose genetics but you can choose to like another man’s balls or suck another chicks titties.
To be honest though, gay females don’t bother me, i just feel like they should let more dudes join em. LOL!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:31 am
shiptar says:
I hate gays to. There shouldn’t be room for them in pro sports or in any kind of sports. Just stick to the ballet or figure skating…
I respect Hardaway for speaking publicly about his opinion, which is probably an opinion of about 99,9% of people who’ve had any contact with any sports!
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
Long Distance says:
I do know of some gays in the league, would mention names but its not the point. Anyways…
here is the thing, with some of these dudes, its not gay, its just being with girls gets old, so they start messing around. Not Gay, where they are looking to love a man or men forever, but Gay as in they do homosexual activity with men because they get so much tail its boring.
There are more dudes in the league are more just messing around then looking for life partners.
Interesting but true.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
Quedas says:
My position is this: it’s ok to admit to yourself that you’re prejudiced, but you should always strive to fight that prejudice and try to evolve. Simply being honest and admitting you’re a homophobe doesn’t let you off the hook. Let me put it this way: if, say, Bill Laimbeer came out and said something like “I’ll be honest, I just don’t like black people” would you excuse him with “well, at least he’s being honest about it”? – probably not. It’s like those people that say that they don’t care about a person being gay, but just don’t let them kiss in front of me… Sure, it can be awkward, but it shouldn’t be. And we should all be ashamed if it is. Honesty is all well and good, but only if you’re confronting your problems and trying to solve them – not as an excuse to keep being an homophobe…
PS: I swear to God, if somebody here writes “no homo” after their post, I swear I’m gonna lose it…
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Jerrod says:
I would have no problem with a gay teammate. In fact I have had gay team mates in the past, and they have been just as competitive and driven as everyone else on the team.
Charles, Make a gay friend, and you’ll get its not all about sucking on balls. If they are in the locker room with you, they are focused on the game and winning. Seriously, he doesn’t care about your balls because you probably aren’t giving it up to him. You are not gay right? why worry.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:42 am
vince says:
50 years ago:
“I hate blacks to. There shouldn’t be room for them in pro sports or in any kind of sports. Just stick to the fields or drums…
I respect E. W. Warren for speaking publicly about his opinion, which is probably an opinion of about 99,9% of people who’ve had any contact with any sports!”
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
control says:
I don’t understand why there are so many people who are paranoid about gay people. Honestly, a sexual preference is a sexual preference…that would be like hating a guy who only bangs fat chicks, if you are repulsed by them yourself. Ain’t no one out there said “I hate that guy because he’s a chubby chaser”, in fact, they’d give him props for being a good wingman.
Who the fuck cares what two consenting adults do to get their nut off. As long as he ain’t swing his dick in MY direction, I don’t give a fuck. That being said, being gay just doesn’t make any logical sense to me as far as being in a relationship. I can understand that a guy just wants to bust a load, but a relationship with someone you can’t really propagate with? That isn’t logical at all.
Of all things to discriminate against someone for, sexual preference is just as stupid as skin type, eye colour, hair length, etc. I’d rather hate against someone because they are a douchebag (Rondo), or they act and play like a pussy (Valgina), or just because (everyone on the Knicks).
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:44 am
Quedas says:
Of course two jackasses had to vomit ignorant bulls*** before me. Yes, I’m looking at you Charles and shiptar…
Also, people get over yourselves. You know gay men are not all rapists trying to control themselves, right? Seing your shriveled weiners in the shower aren’t going to send them into man-loving tugfests…
They really don’t care… Get over yourselves…
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:48 am
Kate says:
@charles Just bc a man is gay, doesn’t mean he is attracted to every man he sees, so I doubt if he’s in the locker room he’s gonna try & rape anyone.
I agree w/ Jerrod, if you aren’t gay, it shouldn’t matter. we can deny it all we want, but there are gay men in sports now, they’re just hiding now bc of the comments ppl in this post make, & how other athletes will respond.
@shiptar you are an idiot.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Jeffco says:
It doesn’t matter what they are, it only matters if they can ball. I’ve played with a few gay players in my life, on my team and the opposing. I had teammates that were more into the whole gang and thug thing so they let it be known they were homophobic. As soon as they would see what might be a gay player on the other team they would immediately start talking smack and making jokes. one time, an opposing player that we had played against many times was gay and he crossed up the homophobic player on my team and my teammate reacted by shoving him as he caught up to the gay guy.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Jeffco says:
There’s only one reason I believe NBA players wouldn’t do exactly what my teammate did is because it would be a lot of bad publicity. It would almost certainly hurt them as they become a free-agent, make appearances, or just anything that brings them in the public eye.
Gays in the NBA will only be a big media fest because more guys are homophobic than girls and the media is eager to see the reaction on NBA players. I would think a reason for guys not to come out as gay is because they dont want the media attention. Another reason might be on how the media looks at them after coming out as gay. Will they be named in every article as the gay player, or will the media look at a hard foul and they say it was because he’s gay and accuse the player who fouled hard as homophobic?
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:51 am
jalen neal says:
I feel like gays should not even be allowed to exist, i mean seriously what is the point of life if not to procreate more life? i mean why are you even alive if your not going to continue our species? think about cavemen, the ones that were ‘gay’ were obviously not making babies so whats the point of their living? if you think its ok for someone to be gay then think about this: what if everyone was gay, and nobody procreated? the world would end pretty quickly wouldnt it? people who are gay are live pointless lives. we dont need to be feeding people who arent contributing to the life cycle. Gays are just useless.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:52 am
R Bala says:
This was a great post. Mr Burton hit a a very touchy subject in pro sports and Ticktock knew the time the he said there will be some ingnorant commenting coming up-just see the last comment before mine.
Bottome line is, if a guy can play ball he can play ball. As long as his off court dosen’t affect his on court, there should be no problem. As a pro, all athletes should know that the locker room is still a place of work and it’s not necessarily a part of your private life. They should know the boundaries there so all should be good.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:52 am
ballin says:
Honestly, wouldn’t bother me at all if I was on a team with a gay dude. Who really cares what somebody else does behind closed doors???
If you’re straight, it’s not like the gay dude will hit on you or some shit. The worst I can think of is they might sneak a peek in the locker room. And if that happens, so what? If you’re uncomfortable with that then I suggest you gain a little confidence in your heterosexuality.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:53 am
Coop says:
I take back my comment regarding Control being a jackass after that post.
Posters 4 and 5 should kill themselves.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:58 am
chris says:
so, being gay is a lifestyle choice, like how you wear your hair? no, being gay, like skin color, is a biological fact, and about 8 to 10 % of all men, and 1-2% of all women, any color, any culture, are gay, right round the world. tim hardaway and the kkk need sensitivity classes, or a big-ass lawsuit, or whatever it takes to get them to leave that sh*t at the door. i’m glad dime brought it up, hope u keep talking about it till it changes in all sports, cos jocks aren’t any less gay than the rest of us.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 am
Papa Smurf says:
No gay person has ever bothered me. I don’t even consider it an issue. I have a feeling that most people who do make an issue of it are reacting to their own unwanted desires.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
control says:
Coop
I believe you said I was a troll. Thanks though
BTW, I wasn’t hating on Brook in that post, I like guys who compete and don’t accept losing. Guys who will do what they gotta do to play the team game right and play it to win.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:01 pm
sweetv0mit says:
Great article Austin! I was homophobic before but honestly never really had a good understanding of it until I made friends with a lesbian couple and found out that my brother was gay. I think people shy away from the topic or resent gay people just because they don’t know anything about it, only the stereotypes that you hear from everybody. So this is a great article and hopefully people would just be open-minded about stuff or don’t talk about something that they don’t know anything about.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
mfeige says:
As a Gay basketball fan let me say I will be unbelievably proud and moved when the first active player comes out whether its an All Star or the 15th man on the worst team in the league.
Let me just say something to the commenters so far on this post being Gay is absolutely not a choice, that is fundamental to understand gay people. No one chooses to be something that society maligns constantly and they have to hide from their family and friends.
Also to those who are afraid of Gays in their locker room. Gay people aren’t interested in straight guys, sorry we’re just not. Why waste our time? It’s ridiculous. Please get over yourselves. Everybody minds their own business in locker rooms regardless of their sexuality.
Thanks for an interesting thoughtful piece.
Matt
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:03 pm
danocasa says:
Had the locker room conversation before with one or two gay dudes, and they both said the same thing. if youre not gay, theyre not attracted to you. They likened it to a lesbian being attracted to a straight dude, or a straight girl being attracted to a gay guy. If the gay person knows that the other person is not gay, nothings going to happen. so all you bigots can get over yourselves, no gay dude is going to pin you down just because both of you are naked in the same room.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
loganlight says:
Wow AB.
How long has this story been brewing? Surely you didn’t sit down at the computer this morning and think, ‘Today, I’m going to write about gay basketball players.’ Kudos for taking on a tough subject.
As per the content, I find it interesting to think about the numbers of professional athletes that may be homosexual, or struggling with homosexual thoughts (not acting on them). It’s hard for me to really place someone though…
What I do find as interesting is that no one has come out and claimed their sexual orientation. There is a large (and growing) community that would embrace that player and would probably place them as lead spokesman for the gay sports campaign. There would be advertising dollars involved, books to write, maybe even a Lifetime movie (ha, sorry)… Would that be worth the possibility of alienating yourself in the locker room and possibly being blackballed out of the League?
Would a gay player shoot the ball any worse? No. Would they pass the ball worse? No. But at this time, in our country, it would more than likely rip apart a team in the locker room, behind the cameras. It would take a strong team unit to embrace that player and stick up for them… but I just don’t see that happening.
To sum it up: Are there gay NBA players? I’m sure there are. Will these players be ‘coming out?’ I don’t think so. Too much to lose. Would they be alienated? More than likely. Would I play with gay man? I see no reason why I wouldn’t.
LL
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
monome says:
i’m all for gay players to come out.
It’s right on so many levels and it sets good examples for young people.
That’s how it should be.
if we expect NBA ballers to do something right, and the league itself to be a caring organization, having gay players to come out (if they are willing to) is a huge step into the right direction.
I’m all for it.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:31 pm
bigslow says:
What about Dennis Rodman? Sure he is currently married and was married to Carmen Electra for like 10 days but the dude wore dresses. Whatever his sexual orientaion I am sure the locker room must have been akward.
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
bliz289 says:
Austin, good for you for having the balls to write this. And for creating such a well-written, thoughtful piece. I’d like to believe 99% of the readers here are open-minded and respectful…and the few ignorant jackasses spewing garbage represent a tiny minority.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
control says:
bliz289
The USA is ruled by the ignorant minority. How many people were really offended by Janet Jackson’s beat up nipple sneaking onto tv? I bet only .01-.02% of sane people, but they whined really loud and caused the FCC to do a complete overhaul of the rules system for TV and Radio.
There are way too many loud and ignorant groups who do nothing but make it their mission to whine about stupid shit and they almost always get their way. The whole gay/not gay issue is along the same lines. Generally speaking I don’t think normal hetro people have an issue with gay people, but you have those biggot homophobes who whine really loud about them, so it remains a social stigma. Hetro people will rarely go to bat for gay issues, therefore it’s minority group vs minority group and in that case it will remain status quo.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Jason says:
Hey Austin –
This is a great post. I think America is ready for a gay athlete in professional sports. There are gay players who are out playing college sports and their is no issue. They are judged by their talent on field, court or mat. Also, they are accepted by their coaching staff, teammates, fans and media who follow their team. There was even a gay gold medal winner in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
An interesting point brought up here is that people seem to okay with lesbians playing professional sport, but it all changes when it is a gay male.
Additionally, if their are any gay men or those looking for exposure to LGBT community who are looking for places to play basketball. Visit the National Gay Baskeball Association’s website (www.ngbaus.com) and register. The NGBA helps to organize basketball leagues and national tournaments for the LGBT community and its friends. We’ll help you find or form a basketball league in your area. The Rockdogs who were featured in LOGO’s Shirts and Skins play in tournaments sanctioned by the NGBA.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Mad dog says:
Fire bun a batty man Sodom and Gommoroh must fall. Why you wanna sell your soul and gain the whole world.money the root of all evil
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
UncheckedAggression says:
To the idiot that said something about homosexuals living “pointless lives”,
Your explanation is based on biology. That the point of life is to pass on your genes, essentially. Do you realize just how hypocritical you are being? All of that theory is based on EVOLUTION, something I am willing to bet you do not even believe in given your ridiculous opinions on homosexuality.
I fucking love this about religious folks–especially christians. You take what you want from everything and ignore the things that are inconvenient. You do it with biology, the bible, fucking everything. Go ahead, believe that the earth is a few thousand years old. Trust that DNA test to see if you are that kid’s dad, then make BS comments about evolution. Whatever works for you.
Anyway, just had to rant after seeing that comment. I’m glad to see the majority of the posters appear to be reasonable when it comes to this issue.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Good piece AB!! Dime’s MVW right there..
And unfortunately gay ball players will never come out simply based on the fact that people as a whole are basically a mob and a mob is just that, a mob.. and a good 80% of all athletes are raised in testosterone filled enviroments their whole lives, with their pops callin gay dudes “fairies” and so on..
Sadly for every TWO people who would accept it and be mature about those situations, there would EIGHT who would act classless/ignorant about those situations..
And thats just the world we live in..
The stupid, clueless followers outnumber the collected, mature individuals..
Me personally i could care less if your gay or a hermaphrodite.. You do you and ill do me.. and let me say this.. i’ve had gay friends and they bring in the females.. sometimes by the boatloads lol
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Jerrod says:
What would happen if Kobe or Lebron James came out of the closet? Would that mess with locker room dynamics? or would the players who had issues put those aside to play with the best?
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
d says:
great post Austin. Good to see you guys talking tough issues that matter beyond the world of hoops.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:34 pm
datdood says:
1 out of every 15 of these posts is gay.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Now that we’re talking about it..
Anyone thing Brandon Jennings might be?? i do..
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Abe504 says:
I guess i wouldn’t really have an issue, as long as im not gettin hit on. Its just a line thats not to be crossed wit me, until u cross that line wit me, nothing to really say. I got my views (gay is gay, man or woman, not what i believe in but thats my opinion) but im cool wit a couple gay people and they are just normal people wit other preferences. Not really a huge issue, civil rights/ racism was a big issue.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Big Island says:
Oh god dammit! I just spent 10 minutes typing out my two cents and I couldn’t post it because it was “spammy”! Bastards!
Great article.
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Mad dog says:
Big up datdood well said ,so is AB. Die gay guys die. Damn Brokeback mountain fools
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
JAMES says:
I agree with Tim- I do not like Gays- I would never play with ball with a gay dude- I know my favorite player is not gay- Josh Howard and Ron Artest- def. not gay
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Papa Smurf says:
I got $20 says Mad dog is 1 of 15. Any takers?
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
quest??? says:
to be honest, i dont blame tim hardaway for what he said. If they want people to be tolerant of them running up and down on ass less chaps during parades, they should be able to tolerate tim hardaway’s comment. As for myself, I dont really have a problem against gays, just dont try to rape or come at me. Also, I see marriage as a sacred commitment so I wouldnt want them to get married, because i feel it would damage the sanctity of marriage. I would most definitely be uncomfortable if I had a gay teammate but that doesnot mean i would marginalize him.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
control says:
quest???
How could you say that the sanctity of marriage could be ruined just because two guys you don’t know, and will never see or have any form of interaction at all in your life get married?
Like 50% of marriages end in divorce, doesn’t that do more to hurt the sanctity of marriage? Do you want to see divorces made against the law?
There is a very high percentage of people who cheat while being married, that sure as fuck violates any sanctity…yet there are no laws preventing cheaters from being married is there?
That whole sanctity of marriage argument is completely bullshit, since the whole idea of marriage is between the two people involved. The only sanctity of marriage that matters is the sanctity between the two individuals involved.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Germany says:
nice articel…if you wrote it in 1995!
i can’t understand why in the us homosexuality is still a big deal. if a famous european sports star says “yes im gay” nobody would care. its nothing special anymore.
germany even has a gay state secretary (guido westerwelle) who visit the different cou ntrys with his boyfriend. so i think its time for the us (“land of the free”)to get back on track
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
My Favorite Seuperhero says:
Excellent article! I haven’t read all the comments yet, but I must admit, my opinion towards homosexuals is changing and I’m becoming more tolerant of them as fellow human beings……..however, I still have to admit that I couldn’t be as competitive as I normally would on the court if I KNEW I was playing with someone who was gay. I chalk that up to my ignorance and the fact that I don’t understand it as a lifestyle choice.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Quedas says:
@control – I couldn’t have said it better
@quest??? – You, and most homophobes out there, always seem to get this point wrong…
As to men running around in assless chaps, that is a dumb point for 2 reasons: 1) not all gay men are the overblown stereotype you portray them to be; 2) then Will Ferrell should be marginalized too…
But most importantly, how does that behavior affect YOU? They aren’t doing that AT you, don’t like it, don’t look. They aren’t asking for your tolerance. A man being gay is not an attack on heterosexuality. Those stupid comments by Tim Hardaway, on the other hand, WERE an attack on homosexuality… See the difference? A direct attack can, or cannot, be tolerated. A personal action done for personal reasons does not meet that criteria.
Let me put it another way. Being a bigot does not reinforce your manhood, it undermines it. Hard as it may be for you to comprehend, absolutely no one admires you for being an ignorant idiot…
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
LakeShow84 says:
^^^^^ Word up Control ^^^^^^
the whole “sanctity” of marriage is BS from the jump seeing that you can have “arranged” marriages and those marriages have been around forever.. meaning a girl can be sold to be married for the right price.. and said wife can through years of being beaten, raped, and degraded.. all at the hands of her “husband”.. aint no sanctity in that shit..
Happens all the time though with no objections.. well only from the poor girls offered up..
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
David Brandon says:
whats funny is how most of the same guys who comment are mia. anyway, ab, good article. it is something that isnt discussed. mainly b/c nobody wants to. if nobody wants to change anything, then it wont be brought up. we all know the L addresses issues it wants, be it dress code, fines for criticism, etc. so if david stern doesnt wanna make anything happen…simply put, it wont. i can admit that it would be a little weird to find out that the starting 2 guard on a playoff team was gay, but i mean, HONESTLY, most of us would feel the same way. nobody really cared about john amaechi, but if it were a guy who’s puttin up 24 9 an 7, for example, then yeah, thats different. just how it is. the wnba isnt as big as the nba so the issues are labeled differently. an some of those girls just LOOK rough, so we already know whats up. lol the closest we got in the L to seein it was dennis and we all knew he was crazy, although maybe not just gay. if anything!, cuttino an steve were dudes that i questioned long time ago.
and someone said something about scal…naw man, he’s just a douche. lol
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Mad dog says:
Papa smurf go suck your modda idiot bwoy
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
BT says:
Well I think the comments support the post’s point, that there is a split in the athletic community about homosexual players. Half here so no problem with it as they see no problem with ayone being gay, the other half abhor the idea. My only problem is one half is retarded, the other not. The idea, voiced by Charles I believe, of a locker-room becoming a free peep show for gay players is especially indicative of the problems they face and a wonderful example of such backward thinking. That a gay man is ruled by his sexual desires is not presposterous but accepted, in Charles’s mind, implies that the reverse must be true. So each day for Charles is pain staking by his oppresion of his desire to rape every women he sees. The second point-voiced by someone else-, that the civil rights movement has no parralel with the gay rights movement because they choose to be gay is also idiotic. No straight man at some point in his life chooses to go down on a dude; just up and decides that doing that is his new hobby. It’s genetic, so yes it is exactly the same as the civil rights movement. And the comment that lesbians are ok because they turn you on, what a wonderful way to demote the suffering of an entire people into your horny fetish. Good article though.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
sh!tfaced says:
control said it best @ 10… Who gives a shit, it’s a lifestyle and sexual preference. As long as they don’t act all cheap wanna wanna suck your dick every time, its cool.
Good one, AB… Before reading the comments parts, just thought old RUDY GAY jokes would be exploding by now…
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:50 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
I could care less if someone is gay, I don’t even care if one hits on me, I am flattered. Like everybody before said, who cares what they do behind closed doors. However one thing that bothers me about certain gay men is when they act like girls. I know not all gay men behave this way but I find it really obnoxious. You may be born gay but acting like a 16 year old girl is a behavior choice.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Just come on out of the closet, Mad dog. I’m sure you’ll feel much better about yourself.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Claw says:
I could care less if a guy is gay. What’s funny is thinking about Charlie Murphy’s Prince story and the gay guy kept setting picks on him, that was some funny sh*t.
Also the names on these posts get a new meaning, Ballin, Big Island, even Control, probably mine too but I thought that was funny.
March 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Claw,
Ha ha . . . Charlie Murphy’s Prince story was one of the funniest stories I’ve ever heard.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
control says:
johnsacrimoni
You have a point about the ones who act like queens. I really dislike guys who act like that, but it’s not even a sexual thing, it’s an attitude thing. I dislike them exactly the same amount as I dislike idiot fucking Guidos douche bags who act like the Jersey Shore cast.
I will admit I am a hater sometimes, but it’s almost always because I perceive the individual being hated on is stupid, lazy or just because (in the Knicks case). The only logical thing to judge ANYONE one on is who that person is as an individual based on actions they had control over.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Damn. control is killing it. Guess you gotta deal with it, its a new world, cocksuckers and carpetmunchers are here to stay… lol
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
dapro says:
Deep topic I have a few thoughts on this one but I’ll keep it simple
I don’t agree with homosexuality but I’m not a homophobic either, homosexuality has been around a lot longer than people care to mention. What I do have a problem with is the “flaming” homosexuals. It’s uncalled for and looks foolish. Same as anyone else that becomes a “stereotypical characture”
Their lifestyle isn’t going anywhere, we have to come to terms with reality.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Mad dog says:
yea mad dog I sure will like when i did when I was boning your mom and went to hide in the closet when your dad walked in. Fucka u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:22 pm
dapro says:
@BT
I understand your point but the Gay/Lesbian movement shouldn’t be compared or mentioned in the same breath as the Civil Rights movement.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
ticktock6 says:
What a shocker. The same dude who told me I wasn’t hot enough to have a twitter or have an opinion about basketball is anti-gay. Bwahahaha… (this is @ quest ??? by the way. If there was an “ignore” or a “dislike” button on here, you can bet I’d never be seeing this person’s stupid comments again. You are awarded no points and may god have mercy on your soul.)
I think it’s OK to have fear of something that’s not familiar or something you’re not comfortable with. But I can tell you any slight weirdness I felt about changing in a locker room setting with a bunch of lesbians (for this story to work, please note that I am FEMALE) went away when I realized none of them were looking at me or even cared. You know why? Because– shock– gay people have better things to do with their time than try to “convert” straight people. I think people would find that it really just wasn’t that big of a deal.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Mad dog, were you trying to rip on me when you ripped on yourself? I guess you were distracted when you posted that last comment. Please remove the dick from your mouth before posting any future comments. Maybe then you’ll start making sense. Thank you.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
My Favorite Seuperhero says:
“….And then we went in the house and he served us pancakes!”….Charlie Murphhhhaayyy aka Darkness! LOL
I think Control is summing it all up for everyone today….really it comes down to people having “…fear of what they don’t understand, hate what they conquer, I guess that’s just the story of man…” ~ Nas….but really, that’s just how people are…..Especially us Americans.
Anytime something new is introduced, we want to march or protest or try to stop it so we can maintain our bigotted views of life or cultures or beliefs that done equal our own. Look at the health care issue, immigrants, the entire racist past of our country, new technology, etc…
Once we accept that this is a sexuality/lifestyle/culture/whatever you’re supposed to call it, it won’t be an issue any longer, the media will try to hype it up, but it won’t matter at that point. Like someone said, it’s been around for years, it’s just starting to become more prevalent in mainstream society in this day and age
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
ticktock6 says:
Re: people who don’t consider gay rights to be a civil rights issue.
I think you need to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. All the gay people I know tried really hard to date “straight” and in some cases did it for many years before deciding to come out. They feel it is something they are rather than something they chose to be. Who would CHOOSE to be a member of a persecuted minority class just for fun? Is the whole world looking over your shoulder telling you who you should be attracted to? Don’t you know many straight people who are attracted to a huge variety of different types of women? Just because I’m white and it doesn’t “apply” to me doesn’t mean I shouldn’t recognize the civil rights movement as being important.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Mad dog says:
get a life punk and who names themselves papa smurf.Go fuck yourself punk
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
shiptar says:
Yeah,yeah in front of your computer you are all open-minded, respectful and supportive to gays. I would like to see you in a locker room with one.
Being gay is just not a natural state of a human person.
And don’t attack me, I’m no fanatic or something, just a normal competitive sportsman and I tell you there is no room for gays in team sports.
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Come here, Mad dog. Let me give you a hug. hahaha
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
My Favorite Seuperhero says:
@ ticktock….Yes, it is a Civil Rights issue, but not when compared to the African American Civil Rights issue.
We’re talking about a people who were forcefully and maliciously taken from their family, homes, land, culture, heritage, everything and brought to a place where they were lower than animals. It’s documented that pigs were valued more than African Americans. These people who were stripped and maliciously treated for centuries(!), fought and fought only to get a marginal piece of what the lowest classes in the country received for free. These people fought just to be recognized as ‘human beings’ and settle for a pence worth of equality in a country that purposely set up laws and regulations to prevent them from organizing.
The homosexual movement is a fight for equality, but it in no way, no shape, no form, compare to the Civil Rights violations faced by the African American community.
PS. Sorry about my rant, that’s just my militant side coming out! Woo-sah! Woo-sah!
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Charles says:
Most of what I posted was a joke fellas, the lesbian comment was a joke. Apologies to the b*tches who left wit hurt feelings and feel that I am ignorant. So if I try to work a job and the sh*t never works out, does that make it acceptable to rob people.(@65), hell naw, I’ma go to jail, no one is going to have sympathy and yes my friend I have CHOSEN to become a minority in a jail cell, so yes gays CHOOSE that sh*t, show me in a biology book in where there is dna strand that causes homosexuality and I’ll gladly agree with all of you! Until then u are all just people with opinions just like me, no rights no wrongs, objectivity void, subjectivity abound. So F*CK OFF B*tches!!!
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Unreligious says:
Good article Austin, my two cents on some of the posts.
The guys who post the comments about not wanted gay guys in the locker room remind me of what a women told me once. She was talking about being in a bar and listing to two guys talk about every women who walked in and what was wrong with them, and why they would not go with them. She said the two guys were fat and ugly and really did not need to worry about the women as no one would want them anyway. The guys who are claiming that it’s a choice. This says more about you than about any gay person.
@dapro You need to look at the historical records of the civil rights movement and read the comments that were made about black people at the time. Nine times out of ten these are the exact same arguments being made against gay people. Sorry but if you look at all of the struggles be they black, women, asians, gays they have a lot of parallels.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:22 pm
dapro says:
My Favorite Seuperhero says:
Couldn’t have said it better. There are similarities only because the Civil Rights movement open so many doors for others.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Quedas says:
@shiptar
Many people here documented specific cases of them being in locker rooms with gay teammates and not giving a sh*t. The problem is in YOUR head, not ours. Be a bigot all you want, but don’t you dare try and compare yourself to me. Few arguments are set in the stone, but I can confidently say you’re in the lowest possible level of the evolution chain…
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Mad dog says:
Dude I’m looking past you. Papa smurf no vibe with you bring smurfette instead.You go get bent by Grouchy. Damn douchebag.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:36 pm
iball says:
^^^^
So when did you choose to be straight? When did you wake up and decide if you wanted men or women? You didn’t. Why is it so hard for people to understand that it is about attraction and genetics determine who you are attracted to. You are right that someone can not choose to act on their innate desire to be attracted to the same sex but please don’t say that being gay is a choice.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:42 pm
guti says:
“and try to think why I missed them and that I could have done better, and that’s usually the feeling I go with, it’s rear that I will sit down and say to myself great job and will be thinking about those 6 makes.”
its rear is it? wow to the timing on that typo
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Mad dog,
I’m in your head.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Mad dog says:
How you gonna make comments about head with another man.lol man u’re so sweeet.Only person’s head u be in are the guys u be doing.
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Papa Smurf says:
Mad dog,
I’m still in your head. You can’t shake me.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
ticktock6 says:
@My Favorite Seuperhero
I’m not disagreeing with you, by the way. Be militant.
I was really just saying it IS a civil rights issue, not that the two historical situations are necessarily equal.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
LakeShow84 says:
i dont know about you guys but this Papa Smurf/ MD2020 fight been pretty entertaining lol
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Ian says:
quedas
agree homophobic fools think that gay men are always after them like u said get over yourselves they dont give a fuck about you (charles and shitar). dudes didnt choosee to be gay.
jalen
what???
quest
a bit homophobic are we?? damn and thats weird cuz arent 70% of puertoricans bisexual??
austin
good article man
control
good post
i dont care about what anyone likes but i do agree with your post 57.
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
dapro says:
@ Unreligious
I’ve studied the history and read 100′s of books prior to the Civil Rights Movement, which was the boiling point of 400+ years of oppression and racism not the end of it as some seem to think. Similarities sure, as I mentioned the Civil Rights Movement opened the door and allowed gays and other minorities to be heard but in no way shape or form has a gay person had to endure the persecution, violence, and extreme hate that an african american has. The two pale in comparison
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:33 pm
My Favorite Seuperhero says:
@ ticktock….that’s the only thing about this struggle that peeves me is when some people out there try to compare to the struggles that African Americans have gone through…..but I agree, it is a Civil Rights issue! lol
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm
sweetv0mit says:
Way to get everybody riled up Austin lol…
PapaSmurf / Mad Dogg = LOL
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Josh says:
I was really apprehensive about reading the comments on this post, with all the trash talking and posturing (no offense, it’s hilarious) that gets thrown around on a regular basis.
But I must say, I have a whole new perspective on most of the Dime readers after this post. I’m utterly impressed.
With a few notable exceptions. (Yes homophobes I’m looking at you.)
Austin I think this was an excellent, thought provoking post and definitely the best piece of writing I’ve ever seen on Dime (since the days it was hosted on Fox too… which might not have let you guys put this one up, now that I think about it). Keep it up!
Also, as someone who’s been involved in campaigns and petitions to increase LGBT rights from my home country, I have to say that reading a lot of the views here have not only been impressive, but encouraging.
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Colton says:
If you constantly want to be pounded as the butt of all jokes then come out of the closet. (pun intended) On a more serious note, i honestly believe i personally wouldnt think of any player (be it kobe or lebron or any player even) differently if they come out of the closet. Yes, the jokes would come, but its an easy target to put someone on blast who isnt part of the social “norm”. I think moreso than being an issue of being outed to the media a gay player would be more scared of coming out of the closet based on that they would be scared of their teammates and coaches treating them different. If you can ball, you can ball, no ifs ands or buts!
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Colton says:
nice piece by the way. forgot to mention that in the first post.
and also, to all of you who are comparing being a minority to being gay and how much harder they have had it shut up. its not what the post is about. and gays have been persecuted in tons of cultures throughout history, you guys are too stuck on american culture albeit fucked up and unfair what has been and still is being done to people of color. we are on a completely different topic.
also i dont understand how being gay is a thing that you are born with. i mean its possible, dont get me wrong, i 100% agree that many people in the gay community are just born that way but how can some people not have just chose it? that just makes no sense to me.
also, i found this really funny and it made me laugh.
http://www.yahoolaughs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gay.jpg
and to anyone who is sensitive, i have gay friends and i am not p.c. about it. but so what!? i make black jokes to black friends and make fun of my whiteness and make fun of pretty much anyone, i find comedy in damn near anything. . no biggy. no real judgement, just funny. haha.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Colton says:
i also really wish i could just point out to some of these people how idiotic they sound. but its pointless. fighting stubborn bigots is pretty much useless. but one more thing, to all of you who think being gay brings you a pointless life. think about these gay people who have jobs and are contributing in other areas of our socity than procreation. say your wife had some sort of problem where she couldnt have children. … she might as well off herself right. you are a bunch of ignorant assholes and you are the ones who really should have no place in this world. but somehow your still here and i have to deal with you pricks, so, just let it be! gay straight or a fuckin eunich as long as you are a good person, there is always a place for you in the world id like to have.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
the big fundamental says:
Props for that one Austin!! this one gives me the impression that youve been working on it for weeks!!! Great article!
Whats the big deal with someone being gay anyway????? 20 years from now some of you are going to feel so stupid for what you said about gay people! Seriously
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Yerhurtingmy Head says:
http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2007/02/hardway_latest_.html
It’s painful to see how stupid the haters are. If someone is gay, that’s not your problem. And really, how clueless are some of you? Don’t you know how stupid you sound? It’s like you mothers passed you through a pair of vice grips.
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:41 pm
the cynic says:
damn this was a long read, posts and article. Well done Austin, a lot better than you trying to tell us how T-Mac is going to close out games in Houston
Control has pretty much stated my opinion, if you want to get your freak on with a little kink, I don’t care have fun. I’ll admit I can’t stand gay dudes that tell me they were born this way, not because they are gay, but because they don’t want to be accountable for there choices. Be a man and take responsibility for your decisions in life
I can see why a NBA player wouldn’t want to come out; the media would turn it into an absolute circus like they always do and he couldn’t JUST be an NBA player anymore. A bunch of people that don’t even know the dude would crucify him and a lot more would act like he is a hero
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 pm
bola says:
i have no problems either having a gay guy on my hoop team.. i have gay friends and i agree with lakeshow that they do bring the girls..
but i must say that aside from homophobic degenerates like some people here, some members of the gay community are hurting their own image. Some posted that gays are not interested in straight guys.. that ain’t true at all ( at least where i came from).. gays do approach straight guys here.. its a culture thing but sometimes its the gay people who makes it difficult for the community to accept them.i know these people could be a minority but still you cant deny that it does affect or reinforced the weird/illogical ideas by the rest of the community.
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
french fry says:
The fact that a message board devoted to basketball is swarming with homophobia is sad and hateful. And let’s face it, we all know the most rabid homophobes usually are the first one’s to be outed.
March 22nd, 2010 at 11:46 pm
loc says:
Interesting post Austin, props.
Just a few thoughts,
Until it is someone more prominent than John Amaechi, it won’t matter. It needs to be an all star. At the very least a Joe Johnson or a David Lee or someone at that level, because if it is Taylor Griffin or Javaris Crittendon or Scalabrine, they’ll just quietly get bounced from the league.
Also, when is the first major gay hip-hop artist going to come out? Weezy kissed a dude on the lips and that just got blown over. I think both issues are oddly connected, in the same way that admitting you’re gay would be the end of your career. I guess in hip-hop you could become a gay club icon.
Anyway, as a person with a ton of gay friends (non of which are ballers, well, any good at all) I can’t see what the big deal is. If I can teach, catch a movie, have a coffee, have a beer, go to a club, go shopping, etc etc with a gay man then why would I not want to play some ball? When we’re done, I’ll go kick it with my girlfriend and they can go kick it with their boyfriend. Affects me not.
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:56 am
rlf says:
I’m sure the players know which players are gay. Funny thing, players cover for each other. Through affairs, through drug use. The NBA is a BIG fraternity.
Do you guys really think they don’t know? They just turn a blind eye. In reality, I doubt they truly care. As long as it is not known, so “other” athletes don’t judge their fraternity, they are fine with it.
Just don’t make it awkward by talking about it.
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:28 am
John says:
I find it frustrating when people say we choose to be gay. I didn’t make this choice, and I suspect heterosexuals who say it’s a choice didn’t wake up one day and _decide_ to date women rather than to date guys. You didn’t decide to be straight; what makes you think we decided to be gay? Bisexual people have that “choice” because they are attracted to both genders, of course. I challenge anyone who insists it is a _choice_ to choose to sort it out with someone of your own gender and see what kind of choice it really is.
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:30 am
cdubb says:
Nice piece, Austin.
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:48 am
Sweet English says:
Are there any outed profesional sportsmen? Anywhere in the world? I can’t think of any at all.
It didn’t help our case that the only gay basketball player was English. But maybe that shows that we got a little more tenacity and little more heart.
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:51 am
Mad dog says:
Papa smurf bot on your best day.You couldn’t get into my head even if you were a brain surgeon. Go bang yourself.
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
Papa Smurf says:
damn, little puppy. you’ve been thinking about me all night? i really am in your head.
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Powerslave says:
Wally Sczerbiak is a f*cking faggot! Kill em all!
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
BigBlackRod says:
If there ever IS a gay baller, he will have to be Jordan-level to justify his team keeping him. Otherwise, they will dump him like ballast…PEACE.
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:47 pm
joshuayosef says:
nice to see an article like this… untimely spelling errors could have been done without… but there was a lot of time spent here. good job austin
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:48 pm
joshuayosef says:
but really whats up with all the hate on gay people? and finger pointing at these ballers whom probably banged more chicks than all of us
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:13 pm
nat turner wit tha burner says:
I’ve heard gay rumors about these players: Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Chris Bosh and Rafer Alston.
March 24th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Rory says:
Thanks to everyone for the insightful (and those not so) responses to this article. I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Rockdogs bball team for the past 9 years, and was featured in the show Shirts & Skins (2nd from left in photo above). There are two fundamental things here: 1) I love basketball and 2) I am gay. While I will never be an NBA player, the fact that I’ve been able to compete in a sport that I love for so long regardless of my sexuality is an amazing thing. Have I experienced homophobia? Countless times. But all I have to do is look to the score board and the talent of my all gay team speaks for itself. We’re a group of guys who came together as a team to play basketball first. Our bonds formed over the years have helped us overcome the ignorance and homophobia we’ve unfortunately had to experience along the way. The point for us is simple: We’re basketball players first and foremost…. oh and we happen to be gay. Get over it. Here’s to living in a world where an NBA player can be out without fear, being judged purely on his basketball talent, not something like his sexuality, which he didn’t choose any more than his race or gender.
March 24th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
quest??? says:
@ IAN wtf??!?!?! where did u get that information bro? that is super wrong
March 24th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
quest??? says:
@ticktock first of all i said was that people were basically drooling over u and that u were not THAT hot and that to me your post was not funny @ everyone else : i am not homophobic, i know gay people, i dont treat them differently than any other straight person. All i said is that if i had a gay teammate, it would most definitely make me uncomfortable but at the same time i would NOT marginalize him. Maybe the example of the assless chaps was a little over board and not appropriate, but what i wanted to say was that i really do not blame tim hardaway.. @ Ian to quote dave chappelle’s black bush why u doing this man? i thought u were my latino brother why u throwing random facts and accusing me of being homophobic man? who told you that 70 percent of puerto ricans were bi wtf?!?! that does not even make sense bro, have u been to PR? who ever told you that information is wrong.
March 24th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
quest??? says:
@ ticktock get over it
March 24th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Bobbo says:
And it matters because?
“Otherness”, of all kinds, is a bitch, isn’t it? This reminds me of the era when the first all-black team needed to be discussed ad infinitum.