For the Idiot File – CBA Coach Michael Ray Richardson

In life, if you’re in a position of authority, people tend to listen to you whether you have something to tangible and important to say or not.

This week, Michael Ray Richardson crossed the line.

Banned for life from the NBA for violating the drug policy three times in the mid 1980’s, he seemed to be doing well as a coach, until yesterday. He got suspended from the CBA Championships after what he said below:

From ESPN:

Before Tuesdays game against the Yakima Sun Kings, Richardson made anti-Semitic comments to two reporters in his office when discussing the contract general manager Jim Coyne had offered him Monday to coach his team in the CBA and USBL.

"I've got big-time lawyers," Richardson said, according to the Times Union. "I've got big-time Jew lawyers."

When told by the reporters that the comment could be offensive to people because it plays to the stereotype that Jews are crafty and shrewd, he responded with, "Are you kidding me? They are. They've got the best security system in the world. Have you ever been to an airport in Tel Aviv? They're real crafty. Listen, they are hated all over the world, so they've got to be crafty."

And he continued, "They got a lot of power in this world, you know what I mean?" he said. "Which I think is great. I don't think there's nothing wrong with it. If you look in most professional sports, they're run by Jewish people. If you look at a lot of most successful corporations and stuff, more businesses, they're run by Jewish. It's not a knock, but they are some crafty people."

And the offensive remarks didn't stop there.

According to the Times Union, Richardson told a fan who heckled him early in Tuesday's game, "Shut the [expletive] up." And near game's end, he shouted at another heckler, "Shut the [expletive] up, you [derogatory term for gay men],"

In all seriousness, could this guy be anymore of a dumb ass?

Wow. You would think in the 21^st century, people would learn to keep their mouth shut in public (especially when the media is around). This fool decided to expound on his intelligent opinions on Jews and homosexuals to some reporter, and in turn, he’s now disgraced.

Sadly, Mr. Richardson’s line of thinking is not out of line with what a lot of people think in this country and around the world. However, 99.9% people are not in a prominent enough position for their thoughts to be exposed to the media.

For example, Tim Hardaway is a perfect case study. A lot of people feel a certain way, but most won’t say how they feel as they know better than to do so.

In the end, I am quite glad Mr. Richardson decided to open his mouth, as people like him expose to world in what lies real deep in some people.