Sadly, I think it is Hardaway who will be seen as an "American hero", "going against the grain" of political correctness, by a large chunk of the NBA's target demographic.
No, I disagree. It that were true David Stern & Mark Cuban wouldn't be saying what they are saying. Stern said essentially the league didn't want to have anything further to do with Hardaway and cancelled his invitation to attend the All-Star game in Vegas. And look how quickly Hardaway had to apologize.
I loved John A.'s choice of words describing Timmy H. "It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan & unfathomable."
You know the more I think about it, it's this lack of empathy that keeps screwing up our world.