NBA Stars Speak Out Against Homophobic Speech

On the heels of Kobe Bryant and his teammates recording a PSA after Kobe’s very public anti-gay slur, the NBA as a whole is launching a campaign taking on the same kind of hateful language.

The spot, created by Arnold NYC, GLSEN, Ad Council, NBA and featuring Phoenix Suns players Grant Hill and Jared Dudley (whose boss, Suns president/CEO Rick Welts, came out over the weekend), also features a track from the Beastie Boys called “Make Some Noise” from the group’s recently released, critically acclaimed album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. It’s always nice to see a professional sports association like the NBA taking a real stand against trash-talk, but maybe an “It Gets Better” video might have had a bit more impact? In any case, as the Bulls and Heat play in the most anticipated series of the 2010-2011 season so far, a huge amount of passive fans are probably now just tuning into the playoffs, giving this spot more reach than it would have gotten it previous years.

WATCH: NBA Stars Grant Hill and Jared Dudley Against Homophobia

By Rod 2.0

GLSEN has released behind-the-scenes footage of their pro-equality and anti-homophobia PSA shoot with Phoenix Suns Grant Hill and Jared Dudley. Ironically, it was lensed on the same day and only hours before NBA superstar and basketball diva Kobe Bryant was caught on camera using an anti-gay slur during a basketball game.

While the video message shot by Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers only mentions sexual orientation in passing, the topic takes center stage in the Suns' video. Says the six foot eight Hill in the video: "Using gay to mean dumb or stupid? Not cool. Not in my house, not anywhere. It’s not creative, it’s offensive to gay people and you’re better than that."

Dudley adds in an interview: "It's critical to set values. ... It starts with the NBA, because a lot of people look up to the stars [as] role models, the kids want to be you. And if they see how you’re acting toward this, it will definitely sway a lot of people."

The video was shot for GLSEN, the Ad Council and the NBA as part of the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign. It's a collaborative effort to address anti-LGBT language among teens. The video will air during the NBA playoffs. Watch it AFTER THE JUMP ...

NO HOMO - Homophobic Backlash After Toronto Raptors' Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans Hold Hands

Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans hold hands.. so!

By Rod2.0

The Toronto Raptors snapped a six-game losing streak with a 102-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Guard Leandro Barbosa had some 14 points ... should be reason to celebrate, right?

In a light-hearted moment, Barbosa took the hand of teammate Reggie Evans enroute to the locker room. The innoucous image has caused a "no homo" gay panic backlash across the 'net.

Hundreds of gay-baiting comments were left on YouTube and othersites. YouTube commenting is now disabled but OutSportscaptured some of the flavor: "How romantic…ha, faggs." "Reggie Evans is GAY" "Not only does [head coach] jay triano have to deal with barnani and calderon but these fags has well! its a miracle they even won 21 games!"

The backlash against the ballers is reminiscent of the January 2008 University of Louisville incident. The image of two Louisvile players embracing produced hundreds of gay panic comments.

Sad. The intense homophobic culture surrounding American sports is exactly why few athletes are willing to come out.

Father Michael replies to Baby Lebron

During the month of December The Future Forward will review the year's most memorable post.

On Thursday, October 28^th, Lebron James asked the world, “What Should I Do?”

Click Here: Lebron ask, "What Should I Do?"

Today, Michael Jordan gives his commentary.

LeBron James Video: Watch Eerily Prophetic Michael Jordan-'Rise' Mashup

LeBron James and the Miami Heat aren't exactly having the season that they had hoped for ever since the "Big Three" took their talents to South Beach.

Miami has a 9-8 record, and even though it's still early in the season, it won't be winning a championship with the way it's been playing lately.

To put things into perspective, the Cleveland Cavaliers were 12-5 at this point last season.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are all excellent individual athletes, but something isn't clicking in Miami.

Earlier this season, LeBron James and Nike made a commercial in which James asked "What should I do?" and it was met with mixed reviews.

Now this "mash-up" with Michael Jordan's "Maybe It's My Fault" commercial has been circulating all over the Internet, and the final line pretty much sums up many fans' feelings regarding "King James" and the way he has dealt with criticism:

"Or maybe you're just making excuses."

It is still too early to tell whether the Miami Heat will become the dynasty that it has been hyped up to be, but if it continues down the path it's on, it could be a very long season.

Shaq aka Shaqeeta Happy Halloween To Beyonce "Beautiful Nightmare"

In pretty much the greatest video ever in the history of sports, Shaquille O’Neal stole the show as a cross-dressing Beyonce-fan named “Shaqeeta” this past Halloween.

Basically, the Boston Celtics center and long-time NBA joker dressed up in a black skirt and tight-fitting top fully expecting to roam the trains of downtown Boston scaring random tourists. However, after that plan didn’t work out, O’Neal decided to give us this gem of a video so that fans could see what Halloween means to him.

Lebron Ask, “What Should I do?”

Lebron James New Nike Commercial Creates Buzz – “What Should I Do?” This is the question asked by former Cleveland Cavaliers and now Miami Heat player Lebron James in his recent Nike commercial.

Lebron James has been creating so much buzz among the players of the NBA. For one, his mother Gloria James has been rumored before to have an affair with fellow basketball player Delonte West. After that controversy, his famous move to leave his home team Cleveland Cavaliers despite the fact that he would be taking less money to play in Miami was next.

Lebron left Cleveland to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami Heat giving the team one of the most dynamic power trios in the basketball league history. Back then, James uttered the following words: “The attraction in Miami is being alongside Dwyane Wade and being alongside Chris Bosh. It is a new challenge for myself. The major factor was this is the best opportunity for me to win and win now and in the future. The number one thing with me is to help my teammates get better and to win.”

Perhaps the new Nike Commercial of Lebron James asking for “What Should I Do” is a reflection of the many things and controversies happening to him now. He asks his audience: “What Should I Do?”

Jordan Brand & The Original David

Aye Yo Daves! We've had the amazing opportunity to do a dual shirt collaboration with Jordan Brand for Nike's World Basketball Festival taking place in NYC August 12-15th. For the festival, Atmos NYC in Harlem (203 125th St , New York, NY 10027 (212) 666-2242) has been transformed into a tri-branded Nike/Jordan/Converse pop-up store. Quantities are limited so...don't sleep! Both styles "Mike 1985" and "King of Flight" feature iconic Jordan brand prints and 3-d Original David felted design applique'. We're also introducing "Clint", the newest David character to join the ranks.

Visit the site at: www.theoriginaldavid.com