Bigots are, by definition, not very intelligent. Their fear of the unknown is palpable because their ignorance is so profound. Former Orlando Heat basketball star Tim Hardaway showed just how profoundly ignorant a millionaire athlete can be and still tie his own shoes in the morning.

A week after former basketball player John Amaechi -- of the Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Utah Jazz -- revealed that he was gay, Mr. Hardaway weighed in last Wednesday during a Miami radio interview:

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. Second of all, if he was on my team, I'd really distance myself from him. I don't think he should be in the locker room when we are in the locker room. I wouldn't even be a part of that ... I'd ask for him to get traded ... Or just buy him out of his contract and let him go.

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people," Mr. Hardaway said. The retired player remained unrepentant even after the interviewer challenged his words as homophobic.

When National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern banned him from this past weekend's All-Star festivities because of his comments, Mr. Hardaway suddenly became contrite. Still, his apology amounted to regret over having said what he was really thinking, not a recognition of its stupidity.

The NBA did the right thing by sanctioning Mr. Hardaway, who is black. Just as the NBA has zero tolerance for racism (something he should know about), discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also an unacceptable prejudice.

Meanwhile, we hope Tim Hardaway can get help for his small-mindedness. We have no doubt he can afford to pay for a few rehab sessions.