Re: The Phil Jackson Brokeback Kerfluffle

Phil Jackson is being raked over the coals today for comments he made regarding the Lakers’ recent loss to the Spurs. From the article:

The Spurs made 13 three-pointers in their 107-92 victory, and Jackson was asked if too much penetration was leading to open outside shooters.

“We call this a Brokeback Mountain game, because there’s so much penetration and kickouts,” Jackson said. “It was one of those games.”

ESPN found the tape of him saying this and have run it repeatedly in an attempt to drum up a controversy for Jim Rome, Around the Horn, and PTI to talk about. Obliging this wish the president of GLAAD released a statement, ““Phil Jackson’s been coaching long enough that he should be able to talk about the Lakers’ performance without resorting to cheap gay jokes.”

What’s the problem here? Brokeback Mountain had a story which featured penetration and kickouts, two themes which in the basketball vernacular applied directly to the game which he was commenting on. If he calls it a Fatal Attraction game do we get the same response?

And what is it about Jackson’s comments that make them cheap and gay? Is the president of GLAAD insinuating that Brokeback Mountain is a cheap, gay movie? And while we’re at it what does “coaching long enough” have anything to do with it? Is that carte blanche for young coaches to do the opening monologue from Delirious?

My point is that all of the outrage here is based on the inference of those offended. Phil Jackson’s comments by themselves are not inherently offensive. Those offended ostensibly are aiming for a society in which homosexuals are treated equal, which obviously I support. I wonder if a better way to achieve that end would involve not stoking the fire of controversy from such a minimal, inconsequential, and ultimately dubious ember.

I’m Dick Schaap.