LeBron James on John Amaechi

[outofplace]

Elliott: I don't think LeBron cares that he's gay. I think he cares that he went out of his way to hide it. Which is, in fact, dishonest, no matter how you slice it.

Do we know he lied about his sexuality? Did we know if teammates asked why they never saw him around women? Did he say anything more than, "I'm not interested in her, she's not my type," to teammates?

I haven't seen the interviews, and obviously none of us have read the book yet, but there are ways to give some honest answers without explicitly revealing that he's gay. Maybe he never had to go out of his way to hide it.

Just playing devil's advocate here.

I was thinking that too.

And to go further who has said definitively that none of his former teammates knew? Maybe some of them wondered but never made a big deal about it, and now they've found out that he is.

That sounds like it fits in with some of the comments in Penn State reaction story.

Of course, it doesn't allow Junkie to call Amaechi a liar, so he won't like this line of thinking.

 

[Shaggy]

Here are my thoughts:

1. I have not read a single story about this former player coming out of the closet. Not one, nor will I. It's no protest, I'm not resisting any urge. I just don't think it's a big deal whatsoever.

2. I think LeBron was attempting to show his acceptance of gays and how he wants to know and accept a teammate's decision. It didn't come out right.

3. Still, what he did say is a lot better than, "Man, I don't want no homos sharing showers with me."

4. The fact that this is a huge story shows how uncomfortable society continues to be in regards to homosexuality. I'm tellin you, it's not a big freakin' deal.

 

[Franklin]

Elliott: I don't think LeBron cares that he's gay. I think he cares that he went out of his way to hide it. Which is, in fact, dishonest, no matter how you slice it.

Do we know he lied about his sexuality? Did we know if teammates asked why they never saw him around women? Did he say anything more than, "I'm not interested in her, she's not my type," to teammates?

I haven't seen the interviews, and obviously none of us have read the book yet, but there are ways to give some honest answers without explicitly revealing that he's gay. Maybe he never had to go out of his way to hide it.

Just playing devil's advocate here.

I was thinking that too.

And to go further who has said definitively that none of his former teammates knew? Maybe some of them wondered but never made a big deal about it, and now they've found out that he is.

there were at least whisperings about it, at least according to amaechi (who supposedly writes that jerry sloan called him a gay something or another). so even if amaechi was never asked, people still apparently wondered. (i'm certainly not saying he was obligated to comment on rumor and innuendo--just pointing out that the issue was raised).

 

[Yawn]

he is not entitled to anything but the sj equivalent of a bar mitzphah for coming out

 

[RedSmithClone]

He articulated that quite well.

I don't think you should use that word. It's very bad to say that in reference to an African-American. Smarten up!

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

There's nothing about "honesty" in this story.
He's not affirmatively obligated to tell people he's gay.

 

[heyabbott]

As for LeBron, the guy is 22 and small change. He'd be a senior in college had he gone. I love how all the sanctimonious people on here conveniently forget a 22-year-old's ability to do and say stupid things. I know I did and said them, almost daily (yes, yes, I know, I still do). I'd cut the kid a break, personally. His choice of words was poor, but he doesn't have the advantage of the delete key, and once it's out there, it's out there.

I'm getting a very sick and tired of this complete bullshirt about cutting multimillionare "kids" at 22 years old and the stupid things they say a break. There are tens of thousands of younger people than LeBron, who didn't have his privleged background his untold riches, his lifestyle of materialism without resposnibility who are making life and death decsions and being held responsible for them every day. From my friend Roberto, the 19 year old guy at the Juffy Lube with his 17 year old g/f and child, to the soldiers in Afganistan and Iraq. Plently of people are responsible and accountable for the things they say and do. And If James can't articulate an opinion without sounding like an ignorant fool or a bigoted asshole, then fork James. And fork those that cover up for him by calling him a kid. If he wanted to be educated he could do that. He's rich enough and powerful enough to hire college professors from all over the country to travel with him and teach him. His ignorance is his own choice.

You want to cut some kids slack, how about the illiterate non english speaking 16-20 year olds trying to sneak into this country with only the hope of a better life, not intellectual midgets like L'Bron James.

 

[chester]

As for LeBron, the guy is 22 and small change. He'd be a senior in college had he gone. I love how all the sanctimonious people on here conveniently forget a 22-year-old's ability to do and say stupid things. I know I did and said them, almost daily (yes, yes, I know, I still do). I'd cut the kid a break, personally. His choice of words was poor, but he doesn't have the advantage of the delete key, and once it's out there, it's out there.

I'm getting a very sick and tired of this complete bullshirt about cutting multimillionare "kids" at 22 years old and the stupid things they say a break. There are tens of thousands of younger people than LeBron, who didn't have his privleged background his untold riches, his lifestyle of materialism without resposnibility who are making life and death decsions and being held responsible for them every day. From my friend Roberto, the 19 year old guy at the Juffy Lube with his 17 year old g/f and child, to the soldiers in Afganistan and Iraq. Plently of people are responsible and accountable for the things they say and do. And If James can't articulate an opinion without sounding like an ignorant fool or a bigoted asshole, then fork James. And fork those that cover up for him by calling him a kid. If he wanted to be educated he could do that. He's rich enough and powerful enough to hire college professors from all over the country to travel with him and teach him. His ignorance is his own choice.

You want to cut some kids slack, how about the illiterate non english speaking 16-20 year olds trying to sneak into this country with only the hope of a better life, not intellectual midgets like L'Bron James.

Not defending him for what he said, but exactly what "privileged background" are you talking about? You mean the house in the projects, a mom who was about as big an embarassment as there was and some criminal posing as his "father". I can't believe more people wouldn't want that kind of "Privileged background".

Did he come off sounding stupid in what he said about Amaechi? Somewhat. Is his age an excuse? No. Is it really that big of a freaking deal? Absolutely not.

 

[outofplace]

Elliott: I don't think LeBron cares that he's gay. I think he cares that he went out of his way to hide it. Which is, in fact, dishonest, no matter how you slice it.

Do we know he lied about his sexuality? Did we know if teammates asked why they never saw him around women? Did he say anything more than, "I'm not interested in her, she's not my type," to teammates?

I haven't seen the interviews, and obviously none of us have read the book yet, but there are ways to give some honest answers without explicitly revealing that he's gay. Maybe he never had to go out of his way to hide it.

Just playing devil's advocate here.

I was thinking that too.

And to go further who has said definitively that none of his former teammates knew? Maybe some of them wondered but never made a big deal about it, and now they've found out that he is.

That sounds like it fits in with some of the comments in Penn State reaction story.

Of course, it doesn't allow Junkie to call Amaechi a liar, so he won't like this line of thinking.

fork off, asshole. I wasn't calling him a liar. I was agreeing that he was being dishonest. There's a difference.

Like the difference between speaking something untrue or a lie of omission? You were the one insisting he did and said things to cover up his sexuality, even though there is no evidence whatsoever that hedid those things. That would be lying on Amaechi's part if he did that.

But hey, if you want to resort to cursing and name-calling over semantics, go for it.

 

[Point of Order]

To recap. . .

We, as media, make a huge deal about a former NBA player coming out of the closet. We lead newscasts and web sites with it, write stories and columns about it, like an alien has landed in professional sports.

Yet when asked to comment on the situation, and an athlete says something other than "It's no big deal," we make a big deal out of that.

If it isn't a big deal, than why are we covering it?

And if it is a big deal, then why the moral indignation when an athlete says it is?

See also: Jackie Robinson.

 

[Point of Order]

Of course you would have to put the comparison I made into proper context to understand.


***
To recap. . .

We, as media, make a huge deal about the first black player in MLB. We lead newscasts with it, write stories and columns about it, like an alien has landed in professional sports.

Yet when asked to comment on the situation, and an athlete says something other than "It's no big deal," we make a big deal out of that.

If it isn't a big deal, than why are we covering it?
***

Junkie, when you take my words out of context it might sound like a clever quip, but it's intellectually dishonest of you. I think you feelings about Amaechi are clear, however.

 

[Point of Order]

Using Jackie Robinson in the way I did, with specific context in response to Blog is my co-pilot's post, was totally appropriate. I'll take your words at face value on your feeling that Amaechi is a coward until you give us the "write" answer.