The NBA just became a little more unbearable (UPDATED...Again!)

What to look forward to this evening:

The "Los Suns" jerseys the Phoenix Suns wear annually for the NBA's "Noche Latina" program just went from marketing gimmick to political statement.

And a playoff series with a narrative already worthy of The History Channel just added a subplot that would make for a rowdy segment on Fox News Channel.

In announcing the Suns would wear their Spanish jerseys for Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs -- which falls on the Mexican holiday known as Cinco de Mayo -- Suns owner Robert Sarver went out of his way to knock Arizona's controversial immigration enforcement law known as Senate Bill 1070.

Right on! Because nothing says shameless pandering to a constituency like mangled Spanglish.


(UPDATE #1): Typical sports fan not sold on the "Los Suns" stunt as revealed in ESPN poll, here.

An electoral landslide especially considering the squishy wording of the question. We believe the gap would be wider if ESPN was speaking truth to power and used "illegal".


(UPDATE #2): Liberating a couple of comments we enjoyed:

From Sarah B.:

The irony of this sounding like the stereotype of a right wing old white guy shouting at an immigrant and just throwing La and Los in front of English nouns kinds says it all.

Get off my lawn, Los Bastards!!!

From RoadDawg:

Does the bill specifically mention illegal "Mexican" immigration? I think not, it allows law enforcement to enforce the law of the land. This seems racist to imply only the Spanish speaking illegals are somehow a target or the problem and require the solidarity. The law is enforcing all illegal immigration. Why do the Phoenix Suns feel the need to profile Hispanics with the change of jersey? Especially with the aforementioned stereotype. It appears the Suns are the racists.

Indeed, the ironies abound everywhere.


General media note: We're big sports fans and avid consumers of sports media both electronic and print. You'd be pleased to know the group think that exists in the Op-Ed pages and the vast majority of media outlets is alive and well in the Sports dept. as well. Wilbon, Adande, Lupica (natch) and others have all dutifully fell in line with respect to their criticism of the Arizona (illegal) immigration law and/or their support of the lame "Los Suns" charade.

A steak dinner direct from BwD to the first sports columnist we read of who demonstrates the not-very-career-enhancing chops to buck the trend.