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I saw that. In poor taste, but really was more of a weak attempt at humor than a dis on Iranians. Pretty harmless stuff.
Nov. 20, 2009
CBSSports.com wire reports
LOS ANGELES -- Clippers longtime play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith were suspended one game by the Fox Sports Prime Ticket cable network for their comments about Memphis center Hamed Haddadi.
Lawler and Smith made their off-the-cuff comments about the Iranian-born center during Wednesday night's telecast from Memphis. The on-air banter offended a viewer who e-mailed Fox to complain.
The duo did not work Friday's night telecast against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Michael Eaves and Don MacLean, who regularly serve as halftime and postgame analysts on the Clippers telecasts, subs uted for Lawler and Smith at courtside.
Lawler, 71, is in his 31st season doing Clippers games, and Smith is in his 12th. Lawler has surpassed 2,400 regular season and playoff Clippers broadcasts in his career, according to the team's Web site.
"We regret the remarks made by Clippers announcers Michael Smith and Ralph Lawler during Wednesday's telecast," Fox said in a statement about 2˝ hours before the game. "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."
The Clippers did not comment.
The transcript of the conversation between Lawler and Smith, which occurred late in the game, was printed on the Los Angeles Times' website.
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."
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/1...addadi-remarks
This is so wrong in so many ways.....
No, I ain't talking about the broadcasters!
I saw that. In poor taste, but really was more of a weak attempt at humor than a dis on Iranians. Pretty harmless stuff.
Too bad. Lawler would have been so stoked calling that Clipper win tonight.
Again people are offended too easily these days.
It's cool to poke fun at white people but as soon as they make a joke against another race, all breaks loose.
Since when are Iranians not white?
sons I think his punishment should follow this list:
- suspended from work for AT LEAST 90 days WITHOUT pay
- forced to attend racial equality and sensitivity classes weekly
- serve 500 hours of community service
- march in a gay parade to help boost his image in L.A.
- issue a public apology live at the first Clippers home game after his 90 day suspension
Poor oppressed whitey.
Again, the people who will be crying about political correctness are the same people who were crying because LeBron didn't shake hands with his opponents.
Though I wouldn't trade the birthright for money, marbles, nor chalk.Poor oppressed whitey.
'At a boy!
What exactly was offensive. He emphasized the "I". Are you ing serious? I guess every time we say Manu has those nifty Euro moves we should suspend Sean. You people are a ing waste of time and resources. These guys did nothing wrong. Pathetic whiners.
So that's not the proper pronunciation?
All announcers talk trash about "Euro's flopping" all the time and things like that, how is that any less offensive?
Eye-ranian is offensive?
I hate the clippers announcers more than anybody but WHAT. THE. . He didn't say anything offensive at all. Because he miss pronounces Iranian and told some unfunny jokes? This is beyond ridiculous. When I read stories like this it just encourages me to be even more un-PC.
in stupid Rag head. Wtf is the difference between "Iranian" and "Eye-ranian"? Last eye checked "I" and "eye" are pronounced the exact same way.
You are so bad at trolling it's not even funny.
Heard about this on 710 last night. Whoever complained about that should grow some nuts.
As a Jew, I find it offensive whenever someone pronounces the word "Jew" as "Joo".
How do you hate the Clippers announcers? They are comedy. "Fasten your seat belts!" "Bingo!"
ShuLDNT HAVE HATED ON THE GREAT IRANIAN NATION!
lol 3rd world hole
lol ruled by terrorists
lol Iran
Correct. the Persians are a racially white people.
Also the proper announciation is e-ranian not eye-ranian.
Also, THEY GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED
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