Me Spanish, Me Play Joke...

Posted Aug 13th 2008 1:33PM by TMZ Staff

...me slant eyes like Chinese folk.
Spanish basketball team
That's basically the apology members of the Spanish Olympic Basketball team have issued to the Chinese people after mocking their eyes in a photograph that ran in a Spanish newspaper.

In a statement, Spain's Pau Gasol -- who's also a Laker in the NBA -- said, "It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way. I'm sorry if anybody took it the wrong way and thought it was offensive."

But wait -- it gets better. Another Spanish player, Jose Calderon -- who also plays for the Raptors -- wrote on his blog, "We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture." He added, "Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way." DUUUUHHHHH!!?!?!!?

Confucius say: It's not wise to make fun of those who are different from yourselves.

Lucky numbers: 10 15 21 26 28 43

Filed under: Talk Sports


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1. I read about this earlier this morning. It was a very dumb thing for them to do. It was racist and epecially insensetive considering China is hosting the Olympics. And for me that's saying a lot because I don't get offended by racial crap that easily. That is pretty bad though.

Posted at 1:39PM on Aug 13th 2008 by mousetrap

2. that's not the entire story....you need to get the complete story.



however, it was still inappropriate to make a 'slant' eye gesture....

I use to do that all the time when I was was in grade school......and I'm part Chinese.

Posted at 1:40PM on Aug 13th 2008 by chopsueyhaole

3. Don't you know the new word for funny is "offensive" or "racist" ? Humorlesss people are taking over the world.

Posted at 1:40PM on Aug 13th 2008 by cracka, please...

4. Why has the world turned into a bunch of little pansies???? It was a freaking joke!!!!! DUH???????????????

Posted at 1:42PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Amy

5. Hello? Everyone knows the magic numbers are 4 8 15 16 23 42

Posted at 1:48PM on Aug 13th 2008 by celiacruz

6. It's not funny if you have to explain it.

Shut up # 4 Amy. You suck.

Posted at 1:49PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Ohm

7. one of their sponsors is Ling Nang (the guy who lit the Olympic flame),

this is their response:


“We don’t think this is an insulting gesture to the Chinese,” Zhang said. “In fact, the gesture shows that the Spanish team is so humorous, relaxing and cute. They sat around a dragon pattern, which we think showed respect to the Chinese.

“Li Ning Ltd. will not change any business plans with the Spanish team because of this,” Zhang added. “People should focus on great Olympic Games instead of something else.”


so there you have it....

Posted at 1:49PM on Aug 13th 2008 by fortunecookie

8. i am embarassed to be spanish......thanks guys!!!

Posted at 1:49PM on Aug 13th 2008 by j

9. Come invade America and drive up our taxes with your welfare. Seems fare!

Posted at 1:50PM on Aug 13th 2008 by hahahahahah

10. This is nothing compared to what the Chinese are responsible for in Darfur and also the fact those people like to eat dogs!

I say they are fair game for negative humor!

Posted at 1:52PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Mark Lowell

11. Ha, ha, ha...NOT!

I'm not worried though because they will get their asses spanked by the U.S. basketball team and will not even metal.

Japanese called that "Bachi" mother f'ers!

Posted at 1:52PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Flake

12. morons...

Posted at 1:52PM on Aug 13th 2008 by jen jen

13. Confucius say "Man who stands on toilet is high on pot."

Posted at 1:54PM on Aug 13th 2008 by colin

14. Proof that racism is the product of ignorance.

Posted at 1:54PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Gary

15. WOW - grow the freak up.

Posted at 1:55PM on Aug 13th 2008 by aSiF

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