Udonis Haslem Has More Reason To Slam Ron DeSantis After What Some Called Racist Comments On Basketball Players

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis makes what some called a racist comparison to basketball and baseball players

During the NBA Finals, recently retired Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem expressed dislike for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis because of some of his views and laws. . 

Haslem may have even more reason to have issues with DeSantis. 

DeSantis is now under fire for comparisons made between baseball and basketball players during an interview with the Christian Broadcast Network, with some viewing them as racist. 

Ron DeSantis said basketball athletes are “freaks of nature” while contrasting the sport with baseball which he described as a “meritocratic game” with “different skills that are required” to be on the team. pic.twitter.com/APnbsfAOBU

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 21, 2023

"So I think that there's kind of a place for everybody on a baseball team if you're willing to work hard, if you're willing to practice, and if you're willing to hone your skills," DeSantis said. "I kind of thought it was always a very democratic game, a very meritocratic game. Whereas I kind of viewed like basketball as like these guys are just freaks of nature. They're just incredible athletes. In baseball, you know, you have some guys that might not necessarily be the best athletes, but maybe they've got you know that slider that nobody can hit, or they have the skills that allow them to compete at the highest level."

In my book, I detailed how many white baseball players in the 1930s-40s argued that their counterparts in the Negro Leagues were naturally talented athletes who lacked the discipline and skills to succeed in the majors. For some, this line of thinking never goes away. https://t.co/4NYzo9sRUP

— Luke Epplin (@LukeEpplin) June 21, 2023

Ron DeSantis dog whistles in interview with sports metaphors https://t.co/4NUA2KZWck

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) June 22, 2023

I can’t stand Ron Desantis…but this a bad take. He literally says “freaks of nature and amazing athletes”.It’s a commitment. He’s saying the truth that it’s harder to make it in basketball unless you’re born with giant stature. Also while I agree he/his camp thrives in racism…

— GamecockRicky (@PrettyR89449758) June 22, 2023

Haslem was critical of DeSantis during the Finals, taking aim mostly at his views on the LGBT community, diversity and gun control. 

“Well first and foremost I’m going to ask people out there to stop Florida-shaming us," Haslem said. "Everybody ain’t down with what’s going on in Florida. People think that because you live in Florida, like you just down with the [expletive]. We’re not. I’m not down with it. I’m not happy about it ... I happen to live there and I was born there. It’s not my fault. So please stop Florida-shaming us people. We’re not happy about what this man [DeSantis] is doing. Diversity and inclusion and taking the [books away]. We’re not happy about that. I sit at home on the couch with my wife and raise hell.”

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