Tim Hardaway Banned from NBA All-Star Weekend for Anti-Gay Remarks

Monroe, Ga. 2/16/2007 12:40 AM GMT (FINDITT)

NBA commissioner David Stern quickly banned former NBA standout Tim Hardaway from making appearances as an NBA representative during this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

Stern, in response to Hardaway’s remark during a radio interview declaring “I hate gay people,” stated "It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours.”

Hardaway was being pressed by questions surrounding former NBA player John Amaechi who recently revealed that he was gay. When asked how he would react to a teammate being gay Hardaway said "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 is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room."

The former Golden State Warrior and Miami Heat star continued, “"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people, I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

Hardaway, a five time NBA All-Star, was apologetic about the interview hours later, saying "Yes, I regret it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said I hate gay people or anything like that, that was my mistake.”

John Amaechi played in the NBA for five years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz. His recent autobiography “Man in the Middle” details his life and struggles dealing with his sexuality in sports.

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