I couldn't help myself from piggy backing on Globe and Mail columnist Jeff Blair's current bloggage regarding the suspension of NBA broadcasting tandem Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith by Fox Sports Prime Ticket. Last Wednesday, Lawler and Smith referred to Memphis Grizzlies' centre Hamed Haddadi, the NBA's first Iranian-born player, as 'Borat's older brother'. (Catch the clip here.) These two buffoons are expected back on the air Monday night when I'm assuming they will be issuing a formal public apology at some point during the Clippers' game with the Timberwolves. In any case, good on the L.A. Clippers and Fox Sports for sending the right message quickly and decisively.
The NBA plays out on a global stage and if people want to encourage the growth of basketball abroad, it's important that xenophobic elements such as Smith and Lawler are snuffed out immediately. Nobody wants to hear old White guys uttering racial slurs disguised as jokes anymore.
Here's their exchange as posted by Jeff Blair:
Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith are apparently how you say “Don Cherry” in American. The Los Angeles Clippers suspended the announcers for a game Friday after an insipid exchange Wednesday night focusing on Memphis Grizzlies Iranian centre, Hamed Haddadi. Courtesy of the L.A. Times, here is the latest instalment in Stupid Announcer Tricks:
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 filed the initial complaint with the Clippers Fox affiliate.)
Lawler: “There aren’t any Iranian players in the NBA,” repeating Smith’s mispronunciation.
Later in the 40-second exchange, Smith asks Lawler:
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.”
Defender Telegraph, page 7, No. 001
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