Clippers Broadcasters suspended for comments about Hamed Haddadi

across110thstreet · 11-20-2009, 09:40 PM

I don't think the exchange warrants a suspension, but apparently a single Clippers fan has complained and now received an apology from the local Fox Sports network... they suspended Ralph Lawler and Mike Smith for tonight's game for the comments, listed below:

Quote:

Veteran play-by-play man Ralph Lawler and analyst Mike Smith (above, left and right) were suspended for tonight's Clippers telecast on Fox Sports Prime Ticket for comments made during Wednesday's telecast, according to sources with knowledge of the decision but not authorized to speak publicly.

Fox issued this statement at 5:03 p.m. today: "We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday's telecast. While we believe that Michael and Ralph did not intend their exchange to be offensive, the comments were inappropriate. We extend our apologies to Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and to anyone who was offended. We have addressed the situation with Michael and Ralph and have taken appropriate action."

Wednesday's comments came near the end of a dreary Clippers loss, 106-91, in Memphis as rookie Haddadi, a 7-foot-2 center and the first Iranian player in the NBA, came into the game.

In a 40-second exchange Lawler and Smith began talking about Haddadi. A Clippers fan who watched Wednesday’s telecast complained about the verbal exchange and said he received an apology today from Fox Sports.

Here is the exchange:

Smith: “Look who’s in.”

Lawler: “Hamed Haddadi. Where’s he from?”

Smith: “He’s the first Iranian to play in the NBA.” (Smith pronounced Iranian as “Eye-ranian,” a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)

Lawler: “There aren’t any Iranian players in the NBA,” repeating Smith’s mispronunciation.

Smith: “He’s the only one.”

Lawler: “He’s from Iran?”

Smith: “I guess so.”

Lawler: “That Iran?”

Smith: Yes.

Lawler: “The real Iran?”

Smith: “Yes.”

Lawler: “Wow. Haddadi – that’s H-A-D-D-A-D-I.”

Smith: “You’re sure it’s not Borat’s older brother?”

Smith: “If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I’m going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part.”

Lawler: “Here’s Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball.”
Smith: “Especially the post players.

Lawler: “I don’t know about their guards.”

Stay tuned to latimes.com/sports for the full story.

-- Diane Pucin

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spor...-clippers.html

GlenRice · 11-20-2009, 09:43 PM

well there alot of iranians in L.A.

GlenRice · 11-20-2009, 09:44 PM

and haddadi is not a rookie as its says in the article.

RedRedemption · 11-20-2009, 10:07 PM

Really? People are just straight up Vajayjays now-a-days...

moestavern19 · 11-20-2009, 10:11 PM

The Clippers had a fan?

GlenRice · 11-20-2009, 10:14 PM

BEAT LA · 11-20-2009, 10:19 PM

Everyone missed it. The real Iran. You guys are hopeless.

K mf G · 11-20-2009, 10:21 PM

dumb?

BEAT LA · 11-20-2009, 10:27 PM

Winner of the wars rewrites history. Just remember that.

knote32 · 11-20-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moestavern19

The Clippers had a fan?

K mf G · 11-20-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEAT LA

Winner of the wars rewrites history. Just remember that.

i know what you are saying
i'm a minority amongst minorities
take this website for example
everyone here busts balls
"that iran" that's what you're pissed about?
these dudes probably only know how to speak english
forgive them for not knowing how to pronounce iran
muchless know that he prefers to be called persian

T-mac(#1) · 11-20-2009, 11:34 PM

There was absolutely nothing about their conversation that was worthy to bring up.. It was obviously intentional and ignorant of them

And for the record, I'm the type that doesn't mind making/getting made fun of.. of it could be the fact that I'm also Persian and I found this offensive

rhino17 · 11-20-2009, 11:40 PM

what is offensive about the way he pronounced Iranian?

BEAT LA · 11-21-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K mf G

i know what you are saying
i'm a minority amongst minorities
take this website for example
everyone here busts balls
"that iran" that's what you're pissed about?
these dudes probably only know how to speak english
forgive them for not knowing how to pronounce iran
muchless know that he prefers to be called persian

I meant what I said. I could care less about the pronunciation. This isn't crap I can cite internet source for.

K mf G · 11-21-2009, 12:06 AM

i meant what i said too
let me give you one
that no one will agree with me
you ever heard the expression
the pot calling the kettle black?
that ish offends me

across110thstreet · 11-21-2009, 12:12 AM

wow. the clippers are beating the nuggets without Gordon and Griffin. and it's on ESPN...

K mf G · 11-21-2009, 12:15 AM

just saw the score on that
the most uninteresting thing about that
it's the clippers

david_rocket · 11-21-2009, 12:21 AM

well, the clippers games could be without commentators, because who watches the clippers games??

T-mac(#1) · 11-21-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhino17

what is offensive about the way he pronounced Iranian?

Eye-ranian...Uranium

The way the word is used is derogatory to the people of Iran
Similar to the 'N' word, or calling someone a 'Jew' instead of 'Jewish'

K mf G · 11-21-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-mac(#1)

Eye-ranian...Uranium

The way the word is used is derogatory to the people of Iran
Similar to the 'N' word, or calling someone a 'Jew' instead of 'Jewish'

i'm sorry but i disagree
and would hate for this thread to get sent to the d&d
but i just have to add this
mispronouncing iran or iranian
is nothing like the n word