Hardaway Dumped From NBA

MIAMI (AFP) - Tim Hardaway, who spent 13 seasons in the NBA, was removed from league-related appearances, one day after an anti-gay tirade on a local radio program.

Hardaway responded to a question on WAXY about former NBA player John Amaechi and the Englishman's admission of homosexuality with a hard-line stance against gay players in the NBA.

"I hate gay people," Hardaway said. "I let it be known 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 sports."

A statement from NBA commissioner David Stern to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said Hardaway has been removed from league-related appearances connected with Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

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

Amaechi, whose book on his closeted life in the NBA was published Wednesday, would not have been someone Hardaway wanted as a teammate.

"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," Hardaway said.

"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. There's a lot of other people I hear who are like that and still in the closet. I don't like that."

Hardaway, who told a Miami television station he would not speak to a gay family member, apologized for his comments in a statement.

"I want to apologize for my comments yesterday regarding gays," Hardaway's statement said. "My comments were offensive and I regret making them. I'm sorry to anyone I have offended."

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Oh dear..... more bigots in the world.... looks like Hardaway need some gay love.