The onslaught of media coverage about John Amaechi and (mostly) Tim Hardaway’s stupid comments has been hard to avoid. This is a story laden with conflicted interests, hypocrisy and so much more. I find this particularly humorous since ESPN has been making the biggest deal about Hardaway’s comments.
How It Happened: Until Tim was asked the infamous question by a guy with ESPN connections, the whole Amaechi coming out of the closet story was a big letdown. Pretty much no one cared.
That had to scare ESPN. Amaechi’s book is being published by…. ESPN. Seriously, if this book was about basketball and his career… big snoozer. The guy had one good year in Orlando. He pretty much stunk. I think he had the skills, just not the interest (and that has nothing to do with being gay). The big Outside the Lines full interview, I imagine, didn’t get much action. It was a whole big snoozer, because most people really don’t care.
Dan LeBatard asked Tim Hardaway one final question, before the answer prompted a few more. He has been a sportswriter in Miami for some time. He had to know that Tim would probably not react will to the possibility of a homosexual teammate. Did he expect to get this reaction? I don’t like conspiracy theorists, but the possibilities of a set-up are there.
Then Tim Hardaway made ESPN’s day, week and month, if not year. His comments were just what was needed to make a real big story. And ESPN played them to death in just about every venue they have. For instance, I enjoy Mike & Mike in the Morning. But Thursday Golic was sick, and Greenie was just sickening. I think it was the whole show. Hello… pitchers and catchers reported! There were lots of stories available- was this THAT important? So what if one guy can’t stand homosexuals. Oh, that’s right… we now have to suspect that there are lots of Tim Hardaway’s hiding their true feelings. Aack!
Divergent World Views: The oddity of this whole thing is the diverse world views. In the world of ESPN/NBA, homosexuality is okay, but hatred is evil. In the world of Tim Hardaway, homosexuality is evil, but hating homosexuals is okay. Both are abberant world views.
I missed the reference on the ESPN radio show The Herd, but a columnist who is a professing Christian got it pretty much right. Christians don’t base their moral views on general consensus. Although there are practices that are culturally relative, homosexuality is not one of them. And neither is hatred.
Yes…. Jesus told me to love my enemies. I am to love people whose lives are characterized by practices that are immoral- like theives, molesters, drunks etc. One way I love them is by holding out the offer of forgiveness. In order to do that, I have to also say that what they are doing is wrong.
The Problem of Tolerance: The NBA, like ESPN, has sold its soul to political correctness. Nothing is wrong except saying something is wrong. Players hanging out at strip clubs so they can get involved in mob trials, brawls, shootings and endless paternity suits is okay. Telling people you are uncomfortable with homosexuals gets you fired. Tim Hardaway is now personna no grata for the NBA. His actions were reprehensible, but no less than the other basketball players enslaved to sin in its various forms.
Tolerance is the evil twin of grace. It almost looks like grace- but it never invites the person to change. Like the UN, the NBA tolerates everything, it seems, but intoleration. As a result… honest discussion about the fact that there are homosexuals in sports will continue to remain underground. Since No Bashing is Allowed, the sin of hatred will remain beneath the surface and corrode the souls of many people. And, the tolerance of many other sins allows them to continue corroding the souls of those who practice them.
Isn’t political correctness grand? Oh, and the love of money is the root of this evil for both ESPN and the NBA.
Cavman Considers 
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