Phil Jackson

You know the sports season is picking up when great jokes made by athletes, coaches, owners, etc. are taken way too personally and jumped on by random special interest organizations. Here's the latest faux pas, courtesy of Los Angeles Lakers coach (and first-ballot Hall of Famer) Phil Jackson:

The Spurs made 13 3-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."

First of all, I don't care where you're from, that's a great line. Secondly, when is everyone in this country going to stop being so damn sensitive? If nobody's perfect, then everybody should learn how to take a joke. Maybe after we get our collective panties untangled, we can actually learn to read comments like that and realize that it describes a lifestyle without passing any judgment on it. This country has taken PC to a new level far beyond what is even remotely necessary for tolerance.

The biggest joke here is the amount of hypocrisy we create by comparing these statements against our own actions. Yes, this is the same society where we blame all our problems on sex and violence in the media before sending our 12-year-olds off wearing tube tops and short skirts. Or blaming video games for youth violence while buying our kids pro wrestling tickets instead of a good book. And what guy hasn't had to hear about women not getting enough respect from a girl who drives home that night listening to some gangster rap song about bitches and hoes? Of course no one's going to listen to you. What did you expect?

If anyone should be bitter, it's straight white males like myself who apparently can't say anything negative towards anyone else, yet everyone has society's carte blanche to disparage us. But you don't hear me bitching up a storm, now do you? When's the last time we sued someone or put out a press release? Words can be hurtful, no doubt, but if mere words are the most evoking pain for you, then you should do a little more exploring in the realm of experience.

But no, let's keep blaming NBA coaches for stirring the pot which we have poured. At least Phil Jackson has earned my respect over the years, and quite frankly, I appreciate his wit no matter whom he offends. No one respects hypocrites, least of all themselves.

And to those who are offended: How many NBA championship rings do you have?

What's that?

None.