Regarding Manny Pacquiao

[H2O Man]

12. 50% agreement.

I do not think Floyd's comments about Cotto were "hype" to build interest in the fight. Rather, I believe that it was part of the process of building tension between him and Miguel -- a man that is difficult to dislike. Those comments were foolish.

Years ago, one of my best friends needled Emile Griffith about his sexuality. After Emile came storming out, my friend KOed him in the first round. (The next fellow who insulted Emile that way was carried out on a stretcher, ina coma, and died shortly afterward.) I told my friend, many years ago, that his words were ugly. He said it was the only way to trick Griffith into brawling; otherwise, Emile would have easily outboxed hinm. (Worse, the two were friends, and Emile remained one of my pal's strongest supporters.)

I'm not excusing it, or saying it's okay. But I do put it in context. Still very wrong.

I also put Floyd's comments on Jeremy Lin in context:

"Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

What he said might make people uncomfortable, but they are not bigoted, and not intended to insult Asians or anyone else. Even in junior high school basketball, black players are too frequently viewed differently by non-black coaches, referees, and fans. They face different expectations, and are held to a very different standard. To attribute ill intent to Floyd for commenting on this strikes me as tortured logic.