The Lakers issued a press release Monday afternoon with a clarification from coach Phil Jackson about his original comments on the subject of the new Arizona state law.
Phil's new statement is as follows:
“I’ve been involved in a number of progressive political issues over the years and I support those who stand up for their beliefs. It is what makes this country great.
I have respect for those who oppose the new Arizona immigration law, but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies. This was the message of my statement.
I know others feel differently, even in the Lakers organization, but it was a personal statement. In this regard, it is my wish that this statement not be used by either side to rally activists.”
Jackson's original remarks got some folks all riled up because he didn't immediately support a boycott of the state.He's a thoughtful and intelligent man whose remarks, didn't include an opinion of the law at all.
Here is what he said to ESPN.com's J.A. Adande, "“Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard [the legislature] say, ‘We just took the United States immigration law and adopted it to our state?’” Jackson said of the Arizona statute.
It’s not usurping” federal law, Jackson replied, adding that the Arizona lawmakers “gave it some teeth to be able to enforce it.
If I heard it right, the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I’m not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”
Unfortunately that will not fly with the folks marching around the site of tonight's game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals between Los Suns and the Lakers.
Monday's LA Times reports that the organizer of today's protest, one Mario Gonzalez, described as a longtime Lakers fans, isn't happy and won't be until he hears Phil repudiate the statute.
“The way we look at it, Phil Jackson is supporting the Arizona law. That’s surprising. It caught us off guard. We want to find out where the team stands on the law.”
Sounds like all the folks demanding personal information from Tiger Woods and believing they have a right to it. Doesn't seem that Phil is going there.
Want some boxing news? Click here to read about Malinaggi vs. Khan
Colin Ward-Henninger, Lakers Examiner, has more on the team, here
Comments
Athletes understand the importance of following the rules laid out by the governing authorities. Breaking what some may call an insignificant rule like traveling or walking are known to change an outcome of a game because the rule was broken. That's life! The Federal Government has an immigration law that prohibits people from violating the process of becoming a citizen. Those who were born in a foreign land such as myself and my Mother had to endure all the govt red tape to become citizens. Sure we could have cheated but there's something called 'respect' for the law of a country you would like to call home. If I go to Mexico, I would learn their laws to ensure I respect it. We muddy the issues with personal circumstances rather than the circumstance of something greater than 'I'.... your home.
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