In the wake of former NBA player John Amaechi's announcement that he was gay, and the ensuing fallout over "knuckle dragging mouth breather" Tim Hardaway's ridiculous comments in response, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof has become one of Amaechi's strongest supporters, saying the bigotry that Hardaway demonstrated has no place on a team.

Via Towleroad:

John Amaechi himself, in a great Q&A in Philadelphia's City Paper notes Maloof's support, and says it is a favorable sign from a front-office perspective that teams would be more open to having gay players on their roster than when he was playing.

I much prefer hearing Maloof say Hardaway's comments have no place than the status quo of expecting that players like Amaechi have no place. Small steps…