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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

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31. Wow---these guys have definite athletic ability but must be truly intellectually slow!! What offensive behavior and stupidity! They should be ashamed of themselves----and just think, they are representing their country,

Posted at 5:41PM on Aug 13th 2008 by kim

32. Unbelievable people! This was not ignorant or racist. You are always looking for a reason to call someone else wrong or dumb or anything that makes you feel better about yourself and your lameness.

Fortune Cookie wrote: 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.”

If the Chinese don't think it was racist then why do you? Believe me, if the Chinese did then that team would have been banned and removed from their country. That's how the communists roll fool.

Posted at 2:15PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Starshines

33. Racist Racist Racist! How can grown men not see that there is a problem with this?

Posted at 2:20PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Nytefyre

34. guys are very tolerant but if its the norm aka blk or latino you guys are not sympathetic.... china hates it self look what they did to that cute lil girl , not only are they stratigically ignorant but they pic andchoose whos supposeably beautiful and appeaLING. THEY NEEDED THAT!!

Posted at 2:24PM on Aug 13th 2008 by NAKEDBROTHERS BAND

35. Americans think everything is racist racist racist!

Ignorant Americans! Ignorant Americans! Ignorant Americans!

It would have been different had they taped their eyes slanted and held real dogs with a fork in the other hand on that dragon court. You just want it to be racist!

It was a gesture of endearment that maybe they wished that they had slanted eyes. Soon people are going to get plastic surgery to have slanted eyes once China takes over the world...will that be a racist gesture too?

Posted at 2:31PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Ignorant Americans!

36. Confucious say "Boy and girl camping, have naughty intent"

Posted at 2:33PM on Aug 13th 2008 by wannahokaloogi

37. hahahaa lol that is funny idc what anyone says

Posted at 2:45PM on Aug 13th 2008 by TEAM USA OWNS BASKETBALL

38. Grow up, it was a sign of affection towards the chinese people ! Next time, let's ban jokes in society, see how fun it is living like that. btw, Levin posing in a lineup with alcohol .............. hmm, isn't that offensive to victims of drunk drivers ??????

Posted at 2:40PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Carlos

39. China's cheating to win the Olympics so they deserve to be made fun of. Haha

Posted at 2:46PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Lis

40. Every time I read one of you idiots call this picture "racist" I cringe. Do you morons even know the meaning of the word "racist"? Calling this picture "racially insensitive" maybe, but racist? No way! The only embracement that should be felt is the embracement felt by Americans for having to call some of you posters Countrymen.

Are you seriously concerned that the Chinese will be offended? The same Country that replaced a girl at the opening ceremonies for not being cute enough you’re worried will be offended? I pretty sure they have far thicker skin then that. Americans are the only ones that believe nobody should ever say anything that would offend anybody at anytime. The rest of the world has more import things to worry about.

Posted at 2:55PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Mike

41. I bet Obama was behind this....he is such a racist anyhow

Posted at 2:57PM on Aug 13th 2008 by obama mama

42. Oh, sure... and this TMZ post isn't racist at all, right?

Posted at 3:07PM on Aug 13th 2008 by John

43. Don't mess with the chinese!!... they will eat your pet dude!

Posted at 3:15PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Kiki

44. As a host country, those sSpanish morons should respect for all Chinese hard work and sweat to put this Olympics. Shame on you Spanish morons!

Posted at 3:45PM on Aug 13th 2008 by Ong

45. The Spanish are blindly racist. Arrogantly racist. From the beginning of the traveling world they have conquered and pillaged the continents and this leads to their non reactive, we didn't do anything wrong attitude! The team should be ridiculed and banned from Olympic competition and its players thrown out of America! They hate black people as much as they hate the asians. Its been felt in soccer too. As well as in race car driving.

Posted at 4:36PM on Aug 13th 2008 by jojochicago

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