It’s a simple rule really. If you’re frequently in the public eye, whether you’re an entertainer or maybe even a politician, and you’re asked to give your opinion on a sports subject you don’t fully understand, then don’t speak. Zip it. Clam up. Nod, smile, and walk away. Take the 5th even! Otherwise, you’ll risk sounding like an out of touch boob.
The Boston Celtics are one game away from a return trip to the NBA Finals. A couple of their leaders are Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo. Garnett, or KG as he is sometimes called, is the 7 foot intense veteran that brings the toughness to the C’s. Rondo is the 6’1″ point guard that can control a game in so many different ways.
KG and Rondo, along with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the rest of the Celtics will play game 6 tonight in Boston with a chance to eliminate the Miami Heat.
Boston Mayor Tom Menino, when asked about the current Celtic playoff run, said the following (the bold is mine);
“There’s a lot of heart in this team, let me just tell you,” Menino told reporters Wednesday after the Celtics topped the Heat. “KJ is great but Hondo is really the inspiration. Hondo drives that team.”
Apparently Mayor Menino frequently flubs the name of the sports stars in his city, so this is nothing new for him. For those scoring at home, “KJ”, or Kevin Johnson, is most known for his time playing point guard for the Phoenix Suns in the late 80’s through the 2000 season. His #7 is retired by the franchise. He does have a mayoral connection as well as he’s the current mayor of Sacramento, California.
Hondo was the nickname of Hall Of Famer John Havlicek, whose #17 is retired by the Boston Celtics, and who won 8 championship rings while playing in Boston.
At least Mayor Menino has a good sense of humor about the situation, he tweeted the following after his gaffe:
You know it’s championship season when I flub our athletes’ names! Sorry KG & Rondo, it’s kind of my thing- another Menino-ism!