Wizards in the Media Thread

[keynote]

Historically, most athletes that get endorsement revenue, media gigs, etc. stay away from controversial subjects. What Haywood originally said was not monstrous, and his apology, if not perfect, was an apology. For all I know, a friend or family member called him out. For me it's not a political issue, and he's not obligated to support or even condone anything. I just think an apology works best without any ifs, buts, or other qualifiers. Apologize if you want to, move on, let your actions speak for you. I'm ready to focus on basketball, and still perfectly happy that Haywood's a Wizard.

Exactly when did MJ apologize for calling Kwame a flaming f _ g _ _ t?

Well, that's a rumor; right? I mean, MJ didn't call Kwame that on the radio.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Historically, most athletes that get endorsement revenue, media gigs, etc. stay away from controversial subjects. What Haywood originally said was not monstrous, and his apology, if not perfect, was an apology. For all I know, a friend or family member called him out. For me it's not a political issue, and he's not obligated to support or even condone anything. I just think an apology works best without any ifs, buts, or other qualifiers. Apologize if you want to, move on, let your actions speak for you. I'm ready to focus on basketball, and still perfectly happy that Haywood's a Wizard.

Exactly when did MJ apologize for calling Kwame a flaming f _ g _ _ t?

Well, that's a rumor; right? I mean, MJ didn't call Kwame that on the radio.

Oh, Brendan said this on the radio show ... not the blog.

Okay, now that makes him fair game for Dwyer and others who might have been offended.

[miller31time]

Dwyer went too far but his main point was correct (being gay isn't something that should be feared or make others uncomfortable, as Haywood alluded to in his shower example). That's a primitive way of looking at sexuality.

However, and this is important, one viewpoint does not make a person good or bad. If Haywood dislikes gay people, that doesn't mean Brendan is a bad person - something Dwyer's article seemed to try to do. But there is a big difference disliking gay people and coming out and stating it.

It's fine if you don't like somebody's way of life but don't go out in a public forum and make it known. Not only is it bad for the career but it's disrespectful to those who DO live that life.

[nate33]

He never said he "disliked" gay people. He merely implied that he and other NBA players might be uncomfortable knowingly changing their clothes in front of a gay person. It's a mildly ignorant statement, but not hateful or inflammatory.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Dwyer went too far but his main point was correct (being gay isn't something that should be feared or make others uncomfortable, as Haywood alluded to in his shower example). That's a primitive way of looking at sexuality.

However, and this is important, one viewpoint does not make a person good or bad. If Haywood dislikes gay people, that doesn't mean Brendan is a bad person - something Dwyer's article seemed to try to do. But there is a big difference disliking gay people and coming out and stating it.

It's fine if you don't like somebody's way of life but don't go out in a public forum and make it known. Not only is it bad for the career but it's disrespectful to those who DO live that life.

Primitive? I'm not so sure.

Is it commonplace to have female reporters in the lockerroom immediately after games, as the players are coming in and out of the shower?

If teams were co-ed, would it be okay to have males and females shower together?

Is it okay for males to be present in the locker rooms of female athletes?

A real-life example: Female MMA fighter Gina Carano (a very attractive woman at that) once had trouble making weight for a fight and she had to strip naked at her weigh in. A male executive was reportedly peeping behind the towel.

Which brings me to very real possibility: A gay teammate might be attracted a straight one, OR, more likely straight teammates might feel uncomfortable having to get undressed around 100 times around the guy.

Here in Hawaii I can say that during gym class at one school the boys locker room follows an etiquette where the straight boys shower separate from those of other orientations. I kid you not.

Brendan's statement to me is on point.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

He never said he "disliked" gay people. He merely implied that he and other NBA players might be uncomfortable knowingly changing their clothes in front of a gay person. It's a mildly ignorant statement, but not hateful or inflammatory.

I don't even think it's ignorant.

If anything it's honest and progressive.

[Kanyewest]

If Haywood was just making a general statement saying that he doesn't support or condemn homosexuality, that would have been fine. However, he's making an apology which many would consider a homophobic response. I bet gays would be offended that they are compared to a nut like Stephon Marbury in the fist place. If I made a spiteful statement, in an apology I wouldn't say I don't hate or love you.

[Bickerstaff]

What Brendan said hurt more than it helped, I'm sure, but he was nowhere near Hardaway territory. Hardaway basically said that he hated gays. This Kelly Dwyer blogger seems out of line to me. I'm all for calling Brendan out on this, but to act like he;s a monster is ridiculous.

To return from my attempts at levity, I'll say common sense would be for Brendan to not comment on a politically sensitive issue. Say nothing and there's no apologizing necessary.

As for calling out Brendan, my thoughts are he's just another guy with a blog. Does he represent the NBA and the Wizards? Only in the eyes of somebody hypersensitive as far as I'm concerned.

If Kelly Dwyer didn't make a stink about this who else would have?

Has PFLAG chimed in? No.

I think the whole thing is much about nothing. Marbury's flaky as hell and Brendan spoke the truth, not in hate.

I basically agree, but I do think that players have to represent their teams on and off the field. I think what Brendan said was just kind of a dumb joke and I doubt there have been too many complaints coming to the Wizards, but enough that somebody must have told him to apologize. The NBA is a small enough world that everybody is going to be judged to a degree on everyone else's actions, so stuff like this is going to get magnified. Also, the NBA is a business and doesn't want its employees alienating segments of the population. So, yeah, best to stay out of politics if you're an athlete.

[miller31time]

Dwyer went too far but his main point was correct (being gay isn't something that should be feared or make others uncomfortable, as Haywood alluded to in his shower example). That's a primitive way of looking at sexuality.

However, and this is important, one viewpoint does not make a person good or bad. If Haywood dislikes gay people, that doesn't mean Brendan is a bad person - something Dwyer's article seemed to try to do. But there is a big difference disliking gay people and coming out and stating it.

It's fine if you don't like somebody's way of life but don't go out in a public forum and make it known. Not only is it bad for the career but it's disrespectful to those who DO live that life.

Primitive? I'm not so sure.

Is it commonplace to have female reporters in the lockerroom immediately after games, as the players are coming in and out of the shower?

If teams were co-ed, would it be okay to have males and females shower together?

Is it okay for males to be present in the locker rooms of female athletes?

A real-life example: Female MMA fighter Gina Carano (a very attractive woman at that) once had trouble making weight for a fight and she had to strip naked at her weigh in. A male executive was reportedly peeping behind the towel.

Which brings me to very real possibility: A gay teammate might be attracted a straight one, OR, more likely straight teammates might feel uncomfortable having to get undressed around 100 times around the guy.

Here in Hawaii I can say that during gym class at one school the boys locker room follows an etiquette where the straight boys shower separate from those of other orientations. I kid you not.

Brendan's statement to me is on point.

I don't get what the fear is. Do you think the gay person is going to try and hit on the straight person? I could see that possibly happening if it were a co-ed locker-room as you presented as an example, but that takes into account potential mutual attractiveness (which would not be the case in Brendan's scenario).

[montestewart]

Exactly when did MJ apologize for calling Kwame a flaming f _ g _ _ t?

I thought I once heard that Phil Jackson called Kwame about the same, an allegation that kind of surprised me, even if he was just trying to find some motivator. Hard to keep track of all these allegations.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

Marbury is either addicted to crack, or manic depressive, or both.

[crackhed]

i'm with everyone else on haywood's eloquence and his smarts, but i would give some thought to putting the broadcast ambitions on hold if i were in his shoes... 'least till the latter yrs of his career imo. broadcasting is challenging on many levels and the potential for distraction isnt negligible.

[crackhed]

Marbury is either addicted to crack, or manic depressive, or both.

the man's an accident waiting to happen

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Dwyer went too far but his main point was correct (being gay isn't something that should be feared or make others uncomfortable, as Haywood alluded to in his shower example). That's a primitive way of looking at sexuality.

However, and this is important, one viewpoint does not make a person good or bad. If Haywood dislikes gay people, that doesn't mean Brendan is a bad person - something Dwyer's article seemed to try to do. But there is a big difference disliking gay people and coming out and stating it.

It's fine if you don't like somebody's way of life but don't go out in a public forum and make it known. Not only is it bad for the career but it's disrespectful to those who DO live that life.

Primitive? I'm not so sure.

Is it commonplace to have female reporters in the lockerroom immediately after games, as the players are coming in and out of the shower?

If teams were co-ed, would it be okay to have males and females shower together?

Is it okay for males to be present in the locker rooms of female athletes?

A real-life example: Female MMA fighter Gina Carano (a very attractive woman at that) once had trouble making weight for a fight and she had to strip naked at her weigh in. A male executive was reportedly peeping behind the towel.

Which brings me to very real possibility: A gay teammate might be attracted a straight one, OR, more likely straight teammates might feel uncomfortable having to get undressed around 100 times around the guy.

Here in Hawaii I can say that during gym class at one school the boys locker room follows an etiquette where the straight boys shower separate from those of other orientations. I kid you not.

Brendan's statement to me is on point.

I don't get what the fear is. Do you think the gay person is going to try and hit on the straight person? I could see that possibly happening if it were a co-ed locker-room as you presented as an example, but that takes into account potential mutual attractiveness (which would not be the case in Brendan's scenario).

I think there would be paranoia, tension, and homophobia from the straight guys. I also think there are some gay guys that would watch a man undress the same way many men would watch a naked woman. However mature both parties may be that could tun into a bad situation over time.

[willbcocks]

The problem with Haywood's remarks was the context in which they were made.

Had he been asked, "How would you feel about having a bisexual teammate," and to that responded, "It would make me feel uncomfortable having to shower together in the same lockerroom," this would be a non-issue.

The context of his remarks, however, was describing how Marbury has gone off the deep end and is engaging in bizarre, self-descrutive behavior. Homosexuality is compared to Marbury's crazy behaviors. Moreover, as Dweyer points out, albeit in a wordy and overdramatic way, if you watch the video and your thoughts are "****, I better watch my ass changing around that guy," there's something wrong there. Those videos aren't "gay porno," they're a cry for help.

The "PC run amok" excuse plays similar to the "Hey, I was just making a joke," excuse when you ask people to stop saying "Hey, that's gay." There are a lot of people who still use "gay" as a common derogatory remark. They're not biggots but they sound childish and silly. That's how I would characterize Haywood for these comments.

[closg00]

In an article on Bob Johnson and bad NBA owners in-general, a swipe is taken at Abe in-passing.

Abe Pollin? MLSE? The shadowy Hawks owners? Robert Sarver killing Seven Seconds or Less? Sure, they're all up there.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba,183815

[verbal8]

I agree with your analysis. Haywood would have been a lot better off if he had said Marbury was "on crack". Then he only would have apologized to Marion Barry. He still could have used the "I neither support or condemn" phrase in his apology.

The problem with Haywood's remarks was the context in which they were made.

Had he been asked, "How would you feel about having a bisexual teammate," and to that responded, "It would make me feel uncomfortable having to shower together in the same lockerroom," this would be a non-issue.

The context of his remarks, however, was describing how Marbury has gone off the deep end and is engaging in bizarre, self-descrutive behavior. Homosexuality is compared to Marbury's crazy behaviors. Moreover, as Dweyer points out, albeit in a wordy and overdramatic way, if you watch the video and your thoughts are "****, I better watch my ass changing around that guy," there's something wrong there. Those videos aren't "gay porno," they're a cry for help.

The "PC run amok" excuse plays similar to the "Hey, I was just making a joke," excuse when you ask people to stop saying "Hey, that's gay." There are a lot of people who still use "gay" as a common derogatory remark. They're not biggots but they sound childish and silly. That's how I would characterize Haywood for these comments.

[TheSecretWeapon]

I like Dwyer a lot, but I think this was one of his worst efforts.

Rearrange the hypothetical a little and "Haywood is a dolt" becomes a little less certain.

Would it be understandable for a FEMALE athlete to feel uncomfortable changing clothes in front of heterosexual men?

Would it be understandable for a MALE athlete to feel uncomfortable changing clothes in front of heterosexual women?

Would it be understandable for an athlete (of any gender) feel uncomfortable changing clothes in front of hetero people of the same gender?

Then why would it be a symptom of doltery for someone to think he MIGHT feel uncomfortable changing clothes around someone they know to be homosexual?

I do agree with Will that it's...umm...interesting that Haywood's mind went to "gay" in reaction to Marbury's videos. But I think Dwyer was way over the top in response to comments that were pretty innocuous.

[DCZards]

Don't know if this Randy Foye article and video has gotten out there so here it is. The video is especially good. A lot of insight into Foye's background and character.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... rdsinsider

[Kanyewest]

I watched the highlights of the Heat/T-Wolves game and Foye looked sharped. BTW, I believe he was fouled by Dwayne in the closing seconds of the game.