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Suns' pro-Latino jersey sparks row
Source: Agencies |
May 7, 2010, Friday
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THE Phoenix Suns, in a show of support for the Latino community over a controversial new state law, wore jerseys emblazoned with "Los Suns" in their 110-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, drawing a mixed reaction from their fans.
The Suns organization and players decided to wear the jerseys to honor Mexico's annual 'Cinco de Mayo' holiday, and as a gesture of support to the Latino community both in Arizona and nationwide, Suns owner Robert Sarver said in a statement.
Forward Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers as the Phoenix Suns raced to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Canadian guard Steve Nash and Jason Richardson scored 19 points each and Grant Hill added 18 in a grind-it-out game played at the Spurs' pace until the Suns started hitting 3-pointers.
Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker added 20 points for the Spurs.
The best-of-seven series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 tonight.
The Spurs outshot Phoenix 51 percent to 42 percent but the Suns outrebounded taller San Antonio 49-37, 18-7 on the offensive boards. Stoudemire made just 5 of 16 shots but was 11 of 13 at the free throw line.
Sarver criticized a new Arizona law that seeks to crack down on unauthorized immigrants, and requires police to determine people's immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" they are in the United States illegally.
The measure has made Arizona sports teams and events the targets of national protests and calls for boycotts.
At half time, with game locked at 51-51, fans were divided over the gesture.
"There's a strong Hispanic community in this area that is being unfairly targeted by this pseudo law, and I think that it's good that people with a voice come out against it," said David Vertullo, an anesthesiologist.
Car dealer Anthony Bartoletti said he initially decided to miss the game, but later changed his mind after deciding it was a pragmatic business decision by the organization.
The decision to support the Latino community, however, had strong backing from the players.
Stoudemire said he was pleased to support Latinos in the desert state.
"It was great for the community to know that we support them 100 percent," Stoudemire said after the victory that gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. "We're making a positive decision by wearing the uniforms."
Nash said he was proud of Sarver's stance, and said that pulling on a 'Los Suns' jersey was not meant to be divisive.
The Suns organization and players decided to wear the jerseys to honor Mexico's annual 'Cinco de Mayo' holiday, and as a gesture of support to the Latino community both in Arizona and nationwide, Suns owner Robert Sarver said in a statement.
Forward Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers as the Phoenix Suns raced to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Canadian guard Steve Nash and Jason Richardson scored 19 points each and Grant Hill added 18 in a grind-it-out game played at the Spurs' pace until the Suns started hitting 3-pointers.
Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker added 20 points for the Spurs.
The best-of-seven series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 tonight.
The Spurs outshot Phoenix 51 percent to 42 percent but the Suns outrebounded taller San Antonio 49-37, 18-7 on the offensive boards. Stoudemire made just 5 of 16 shots but was 11 of 13 at the free throw line.
Sarver criticized a new Arizona law that seeks to crack down on unauthorized immigrants, and requires police to determine people's immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" they are in the United States illegally.
The measure has made Arizona sports teams and events the targets of national protests and calls for boycotts.
At half time, with game locked at 51-51, fans were divided over the gesture.
"There's a strong Hispanic community in this area that is being unfairly targeted by this pseudo law, and I think that it's good that people with a voice come out against it," said David Vertullo, an anesthesiologist.
Car dealer Anthony Bartoletti said he initially decided to miss the game, but later changed his mind after deciding it was a pragmatic business decision by the organization.
The decision to support the Latino community, however, had strong backing from the players.
Stoudemire said he was pleased to support Latinos in the desert state.
"It was great for the community to know that we support them 100 percent," Stoudemire said after the victory that gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. "We're making a positive decision by wearing the uniforms."
Nash said he was proud of Sarver's stance, and said that pulling on a 'Los Suns' jersey was not meant to be divisive.
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